The Moore County Board of Commissioners approved funding “only for Crain’s Creek” Middle School at the Aug. 16 regular session.

The board unanimously approved a school grant application, which requires matching county funds for Crain’s Creek Middle School.

Moore County School Superintendent Dr. Tim Locklair and Executive Officer for Operations John Birath presented the request for a Needs-Based Funding Grant Application.

The grant requires that matching funds must come from a local source.

The estimated matching county funds requested are $16,152,353, and $46,101,182 from the Needs-Based Public School Capital Fund.

With the grant deadline on Sept. 1, the commissioners were forced to make a decision at the Aug. 16 meeting.

The commissioners reminded the school board to communicate in a timelier manner to allow research and to prevent being forced to vote.

Grant applicants in Tier 3 receive higher consideration. Tier 3 qualifications are that the county has critical deficiencies, is in a state of renovating, and not having received a grant in three years, and Moore County meets those qualifications.

A list of potential grant projects is viewable on page 50 of the agenda packet. 

Birath said when a county increases the matching funds for the grant, it increases the likelihood of being awarded the grant.

During the public hearing portion of the meeting, abortion opponents requesting commissioners make Moore County a pro-life sanctuary offered statements on the right to life. One statement was supporting family — as the foundation of America’s strength. A speaker reminded commissioners of the options of adoption and giving up rights to place a child at a police station, fire department or social services center.

Also, the board approved rezoning for a telecommunications tower on property off N.C. Highway 22, in the Northern part of the county, near Bennett.

Planning Director Debra Ensminger presented the request by Cellco Partnership, doing business as Verizon Wireless, for rezoning from rural agricultural to rural agricultural conditional to construct a 255’ telecommunications tower on .23 acres of 70.20 acres on George P. Road.

The tower will supply cellular phone service in a rural area where communications with emergency services have been a public safety issue.

In other meeting matters, the board approved rezoning for property off U.S. Highway 15-501.

Ensminger presented the request by JT & JR Vice President Jeff Tucker to rezone property on the Northern side of Lea Road and on the Eastern side of U.S. Highway 15-501.

The property was zoned residential agriculture and highway commercial.

It is now zoned for highway commercial conditional to construct an office building and storage yard on approximately 4.96 acres of a total 14+ acres.

To resolve a split jurisdiction issue, the board approved the Resolution and Interlocal Agreement with the Town of Southern Pines authorizing Moore County to exercise planning, zoning and development jurisdiction over a portion of the proposed Armstead Subdivision, which is partially located in Moore County and partially located within the Town of Southern Pines.

Ensminger said the property owners wanted the proposed Armstead Subdivision to run “solely” under Moore County Planning and Inspections.

Commissioner Jerry Daeke presented the 2022 Tax Equalization and Review. He said there are 73,659 parcels in the county and the board reviewed 27 for tax reevaluation with an estimated value of $22,517,590.

There were 10 parcels with no change. While 14 decreased in value, and three increased. After the board adjustments, the tax value was $18,753,830.

~Written by Sandhills Sentinel Journalist Stephanie M. Sellers. Contact her at [email protected].

Print Friendly, PDF & Email