Spring 2012

Viva Verde Earth Fest

Page 12

SPring 2012 Information You Can Use

Investing in our community Pages 4 & 10

Find out why municipal services are perhaps the best return on any investment you make.

Eco Friendly Solar Energy Project Page 5

Advancing the Thread Page 7

Historic Downtown Concord Page 8

Events, theaters, galleries, restaurants, and shops offer a new discovery with every visit.

City Council

David W. Phillips District 1

Ella Mae Small District 3 Mayor Pro-Tem

W. Lamar Barrier District 5

James E. Ramseur District 2

Alfred M. Brown, Jr. District 4

Hector H. Henry II District 6

Congratulations to Mayor Padgett!

Mayor Scott Padgett was recently elected vice chairman of the N.C. Metropolitan Mayors Coalition, a group of mayors committed to promoting policies that support the state’s urban centers. As vice chair, Padgett will be a visible representative for the Coalition and its priorities at the N.C. General Assembly, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and other organizations around the state. As a member of the executive committee, Padgett will also be active in setting the Coalition’s agenda for the coming year. More information at ncmetromayors.com.

In addition, Mayor Padgett and his colleague in Kannapolis, Mayor Bob Misenheimer, joined the long list of distinguished North Carolinians to receive the Order of the Long Leaf Pine. The Mayors were surprised with the recognition Friday, January 27 at the Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce annual meeting in a videotaped presentation

by North Carolina Governor Beverly Perdue. Both Mayors were on stage receiving the Chamber’s Lifetime Achievement Award during the luncheon when the recognition was revealed.

More information at concordnc.gov.

JaMES nix/indEPEndEnt triBunE

John A. Sweat, Jr. District 7

the Concord City Circular is produced quarterly by the City Manager’s office to provide Concord citizens with information about current activities of the City of Concord. it contains items that will help make it easier for you to do business with the City. your comments and questions are welcomed. Please send them to: Concord City Circular P.o. Box 308, Concord, nC 28026 or call 704-920-5210 or e-mail franzese@concordnc.gov. designed by Granite Sky design, inc.

In this Issue: From the Mayor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Manager’s notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2011 Property revaluation . . . . . . . . . . . 4 First Solar Energy Project . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

the United way of Central Carolinas thanks the Concord Community for a successful 2011 Campaign!

Scheduling Bulky Waste . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 advance the thread . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Historic downtown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9 the Value of Public Services . . . . . . 10-11 Viva Verde Earth Fest . . . . . . . . . . . 12-13 Mission/Core Values . . . . . . . . . . . . . .back

2 ConCord City CirCular Fall spring 2011 2012 concordnc.gov concordnc.gov winter

thanks to your generosity, we’re creating lasting change for your neighbors most in need. need help? By simply dialing 2-1-1, you can speak to a referral specialist who will help you find services such as food, housing, counseling, health care, child care, and senior services. Visit www.nc211.org.

From the Mayor

Manager’s Notes

J. Scott Padgett

Brian Hiatt, Concord City Manager

What a difference a year makes!

What City services did you use today?

One year ago, the City was preparing to launch its new solid waste contract with Waste Pro, saving $1.7 million a year, and featuring fully automated collection and every-otherweek recycling. Waste Pro brought an all new fleet of efficient trucks to Concord and invested in a regional operations facility on Manor Avenue.

In February, I spoke to several groups of third graders about municipal government as part of our annual civic education program. My part of the program gives the students an overview of how City government operates and what services Concord provides. I started out by asking them how many services they used that day.

The City took seriously the task of making sure residents understood the service changes and how they would benefit our community. Today, the program is running smoothly and successfully. Significant improvements were realized during the first 6 months of the new program, with the most dramatic

Even though i spoke with them before 9:00 a.m., most students could identify at least five services they already used that day. Most noted

47 percent increase

being a in monthly recycling tonnage. That exceeds the state’s projection of a 30 percent increase upon conversion from bins to rollout carts.

For a reminder about how you can help the City make the best use of your tax dollars, see the story about bulky waste on page 6.

using water, sewer (wastewater), electricity, and recycling and garbage collection. Others identified police, if they passed a police car on the way to school or if crossing guards helped them or a friend walk there. A few added the fire department if they passed a station along the way. Of course, all had to use one or more City-maintained streets or sidewalks to get to school.

It is human nature to take many services for granted unless something goes wrong. For example, if the garbage is not collected or water and/or electricity is not available, we notice it quickly. Otherwise, we just assume the system will work. For other services like 911 communications, police, fire, or parks and recreation, we do not spend a lot of time thinking about them until they are needed.

FrEd BraziEl/MEdia artS CollECtiVE

Later this year, the entire Charlotte region will enjoy a national spotlight when the Democratic National Convention arrives in September. Of course the DNC is a political event, but it will benefit Democrats, Republicans, and all other North Carolinians the same. Politics aside, the DNC will be a huge opportunity for our community to welcome thousands of visitors from across the nation and demonstrate firsthand our southern hospitality. In January, I was pleased to join Charlotte Mayor Anthony Fox, DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Shultz, and DNCC CEO Steve Kerrigan when it was announced that the convention would kick off in Concord at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Monday, September 3. continued on page 14

I try to communicate to the third graders, as simply as possible, that all services require operational expenses, purchases of materials and equipment, and paying personnel—regardless if they are provided by City forces such as police and fire, or contracted out such as garbage and recycling collection.

I also explain that different revenues that are used to pay for different types of services. Property and sales taxes are used for services like police, fire, garbage and recycling, limb and leaf collection, street maintenance and construction, traffic signals and signs, and parks and recreation. On the other hand, direct user fees are used for utility services like water; wastewater; electric, and stormwater. continued on page 15 concordnc.gov spring 2012 ConCord City CirCular 3

What does the 2011 revaluation mean for your tax bill?

In February, all Cabarrus County property owners received revaluation notices from the County Tax Assessor. This notice is not unusual—state law requires counties to reappraise property at least once every eight years. In fact, Cabarrus County properties are typically reappraised every four years. However, this revaluation cycle will be quite unusual because, for the first time, average property values have decreased.

the current rates. In past years, the revenue-neutral tax rate has always been lower than the existing rate.

Although the revenue-neutral tax rate would generate the same amount of money in total, it does not necessarily mean that an individual property owner’s tax contribution will remain same. The value of the tax base is the sum of all the property values within the jurisdiction. These properties may have remained the same, increased, or decreased in value, but by adding them together, the overall change can be calculated. An individual tax contribution depends on a combination of the new tax rate and the new value of the property.

The 2011 revaluation will impact individual property owner’s tax bills. There are three factors that determine how much property tax each property owner must pay: • the assessed value of the property • the cost of basic services local governments provide to citizens • the tax rate set by the County and City elected officials to meet the cost of these services.

Some of the services funded

by Concord residents and How much the new assessment businesses: will affect your tax bill cannot be determined until operating budgets are adopted and the governing bodies have set tax rates for Cabarrus County and the City of Concord.

This process is underway. Budget recommendations will be presented by the end of May and budgets will be adopted by the end of June.

Cabarrus County’s 2011 revaluation raises a challenge that has not been experienced before. The economic downturn has lowered property values by an average of thirteen percent.

Fire and Life Safety Police Garbage and Recycling Collection Parks and Recreation

Since 2008, the City of Concord has responded to the economic downturn and reduced revenue with smaller budgets and innovative ways to improve efficiency. This response was necessary to keep expenses in line with the loss of millions of dollars in revenue due to the departure of Philip Morris and a decline in sales tax receipts, permitting fees, and investment revenues.

Street, Sidewalk, Traffic Signal, and Sign Maintenance

When properties are revalued, counties and municipalities are required by state law to calculate a revenue-neutral tax rate. A revenue-neutral tax rate is what elected officials would have to adopt to raise the exact same amount of money as before the value of the tax base changed (factoring in the average annual revenue growth rate since the last revaluation). While the law requires this rate to be calculated and presented with the budget recommendation, it does not require governments to adopt it. Due to the decline in property values, the revenue-neutral tax rates calculated by Cabarrus County and the City of Concord will be higher than 4 ConCord City CirCular spring 2012 concordnc.gov

Here are just a few of the essential services funded through your property taxes: • All Cabarrus County residents support the county’s General Fund for services such as public schools and the Sheriff’s department • Residents who live in the City of Concord fund additional services within municipal limits such as fire; police; garbage and recycling collection; parks and recreation; and street, sidewalk, traffic signal, and sign maintenance.

Despite the economic environment of the past few years, the City of Concord remains committed to providing needed public services in an efficient and customer-focused manner.

The last four years have created a leaner, more efficient organization. Individual employees are now working in multiple areas that were once covered by more people, and technology is being embraced to save time and money.

However, the ability to provide these services at the same level in the future depends on consistent funding.

Public-private partnership results in first solar energy project on City facility The City of Concord’s Downtown Municipal Parking Deck on Cabarrus Avenue has a new look. Solar modules have been installed on the deck’s top level, providing shade to 32 parking spaces. The nearly $500,000 project, owned by a private investor, was funded in part through a North Carolina Main Street Energy II Grant. Power produced from the solar array will be sold back to the energy grid.

Staff in the City’s Planning and Neighborhood Development and Electric Systems departments partnered with the NC Department of Commerce, Argand Energy Solutions, and Stefan Gleason of Hyperion Energy LLC to make the project a reality.

The funding was split between the energy grant and Gleason, who owns and maintains the system.

The US-made modules are expected to generate more than 80,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, enough energy to power four homes.

A ribbon cutting ceremony for the project was held in early January. For more information, including a link to see live performance data from the project, and more photos of the project and ceremony, visit bit.ly/concordsolar.

l.J. WESloWSki/City oF ConCord

Pictured left to right are: Council Member Dave Phillips; Mike Kilgariff, NC Department of Commerce (obscured); Council Member Jim Ramseur; Stefan Gleason, Hyperion Energy; Mayor Scott Padgett; Clay Hartman, Argand Energy Solutions; and Eric Lensch, Argand Energy Solutions.

concordnc.gov spring 2012 ConCord City CirCular 5

Help us help you: scheduling bulky waste collection

At no additional charge, the City of Concord offers residents curbside collection of accepted bulky items, old appliances, scrap metal, used tires, and e-waste. Although the City of Concord has encouraged residents to schedule the collection of these items for some time, scheduling became mandatory in 2011. Items left on curb and not scheduled for pick up could lead to code enforcement penalties for property owners.

To provide better and more efficient service, the City of Concord collects bulky and electronic waste on customers’ regularly scheduled garbage days. The City asks that all customers call in to schedule bulky and electronic waste collection a minimum of two business days before their regularly scheduled garbage collection.

Here are some key points to remember: • Bulky waste collections will be scheduled for your regular garbage collection day.

•

All bulky waste must be scheduled in advance. Please call 704-920-5555 at least two business days in advance of your regular collection day so our representative may assist you.

• Scheduling assures bulky waste is collected promptly and helps to keep your neighborhood clean.

• Advanced scheduling helps keep taxes low, and reduces vehicle emissions and the number of trucks driving through your neighborhood each week.

• Collection day scheduling of bulky waste is the City’s response to customer feedback and will improve convenience by: – reducing confusion about which day bulky waste will be collected; – reducing the number of days bulky waste remains curbside waiting on collection; and – allowing compliance in neighborhoods with restrictions on how long materials may remain at the curb for collection.

Please observe bulky waste guidelines regarding volume limits and preparation requirements included in the Solid Waste Resource Guide. You can request a copy by calling our Customer Care Center at 704-920-5555, or click here to download a copy.

UnACCEPTABLE iTEMS inCLUDE: Gas and propane tanks, asbestos insulation, dirt, concrete, bricks and rock, dirt, stumps, any yard waste generated by commercial tree services, arborists or foresters, and loose broken glass cannot be collected. Residents are responsible for larger quantities.

For more information, please call our Customer Care Center at 704-920-5555 or visit concordnc.gov/Departments/SolidWaste-Services/Residential/Bulky-appliances-and-e-waste.

6 ConCord City CirCular spring 2012 concordnc.gov

Catawba Lands Conservancy awards grant and closes on property in Concord to advance the Thread Catawba Lands Conservancy awarded a grant to the City of Concord that will conserve local land for outdoor recreation and watershed protection, and advance the Carolina Thread Trail in Cabarrus County.

The Carolina Thread Trail/Clean Water Management Trust Fund sub-grant allowed the City to acquire a 29-acre property along the Rocky River off of Weddington Road.

The sub-grant allows conservation of this property that supports outdoor recreation and the environmental benefits of surface water quality and watershed protection. A new trail will be constructed that will extend the Carolina Thread Trail Rocky River Greenway underneath I-85. Construction on the trail is scheduled to begin in late 2013.

Visit catawbalands.org for more information about this and other regional projects.

concordnc.gov spring 2012 ConCord City CirCular 7

nanCy lEniG/ConCord doWntoWn dEVEloPMEnt CorPoration

Opportunities continue to grow in Historic Downtown Concord Most people who live, work, learn, or play in Concord are very aware of the shopping, dining, and entertainment opportunities in the western part of the community. Tourism is now a big part of the local economy, and the millions of annual visitors in Concord have been key to weathering the economic downturn. Perhaps the first place you would think to find a visitor in Concord is the Exit 49 area off I-85.

However, the oldest part of Concord is well-positioned for a boom of its own.

l.J. WESloWSki/City oF ConCord

Enter Diane Young, Executive Director of the Concord Downtown Development Corporation (CDDC).

Young came to Concord in October 2010 with a wealth of experience as a licensed general contractor and work in several downtowns across the south. In partnership with the City of Concord’s Planning and Neighborhood Development Department, downtown business and property owners, and the CDDC board of directors, Young works to recruit business to Historic Downtown Concord.

8 ConCord City CirCular spring 2012 concordnc.gov

Just a year after Young joined CDDC came the October 2011 announcement of Carolina Courts’ arrival in fall 2012. The $3.9 million investment was the biggest news in Downtown history. But according to Young, Carolina Courts is just the beginning. “Historic Downtown Concord has so much to offer.

We are thrilled to welcome Carolina Courts to our Downtown community, and it has already been a catalyst for our ongoing business recruitment and retention efforts. 2012 is shaping up to be just as exciting as 2011.”

Part of CDDC’s strategy for growing existing and new businesses in the Downtown includes hosting several special events throughout the year to bring visitors, such as the popular Union Street Live! summer concert series. The Concord Downtown Development Corporation and the Historic Downtown Concord Merchants Association work year-round to bring live concerts, festivals, sales events, and other family-friendly activities to the community. Young says that long-time residents, new community members, and out-oftown visitors can all discover new things with every visit

n

to Downtown. “When you add the events to the offerings of our theatres, galleries, restaurants, and shops, you have a calendar that is brimming with a variety of shopping, dining, and entertainment options all year long.”

While some Downtown events have been popular for several years, the CDDC is constantly working to enhance existing events and add new opportunities. One such new event is Small Business Saturday, which is now a regular feature in Historic Downtown Concord on the fourth Saturday of each month.

Small Business Saturday is designed to increase consumer awareness of the overall impact of keeping shopping dollars local, and the importance of supporting small, independently-owned local businesses. When a shopper makes a purchase in a participating Downtown Concord establishment they can register for $100 in Downtown Concord Dollars to be spent in any of the participating businesses. As with all the CDDC’s promotional events, the Small Business Saturday is funded by sponsorships. The initial sponsors are F&M Bank and the Southern Select Community Credit Union.

In addition, CDDC is going hi-tech to market Historic Downtown Concord. The Concord Downtown Development Corporation has joined other communities in partnering with shopmainstreets.com, a website developed to promote independently-owned businesses in downtown districts.

The site originally worked exclusively with downtowns in Tennessee and Kentucky. Now North Carolina downtowns can market their districts on this site, and Concord is one of the first three communities to take advantage of this opportunity.

The site allows users to take a virtual tour of the Downtown Concord streetscape, as if they were taking a stroll down the street. As they pass by businesses that have chosen to advertise on the site, they are given a link to enter the front door. Once inside the viewer has the ability to walk through the space.

On their tours, individual businesses can include website information, coupons and specials, product information, and restaurants can show their menus. Seventeen Downtown Concord shops, restaurants, and galleries joined the tour during this initial filming. You can take the tour by going to shopmainstreets.com/states/north_carolina.html and clicking on the Downtown Concord photograph.

Another event just around the corner is the Spring into Arts Festival, scheduled for Saturday, May 12 from noon to 9:00 p.m. The festival includes a juried art show with top prizes of $500, $300, and $200. Artists can review the application and fees online at concorddowntown.com/events/spring-into-arts-festival.

Contact the Concord Downtown Development Corporation at 704-784-4208 for more information.

Spring 2012 Historic Downtown Concord Calendar of Events The 4th saturday of each month during regular business hours.

May 12 noon to 9 pM (children’s area closing at 6 PM) On Union Street in Historic Downtown Concord Artists, musical entertainment, children’s area and stage, and more.

Free.

May 17, June 21, July 19, August 16, September 20 6 – 9 pM Outdoor concerts on Means Avenue featuring top regional entertainment.

Free.

For information on these and other events go to: concorddowntown.com/events.

concordnc.gov spring 2012 ConCord City CirCular 9

The Value of Public Services

l.J. WESloWSki/City oF ConCord

The last few years have been challenging for residents and businesses in our community.

Families have tightened their budgets to manage higher expenses with stagnant income.

Local companies have had to think differently about service delivery or even change the services they provide to stay afloat.

The City of Concord’s experience has been similar. The closure of Philip Morris has reduced property tax revenue by over $3 million. Sales tax revenue has declined by over $1.7 million. At the same time, Concord’s population continues to grow. However, the

City has responded to the downturn with conservative financial management and innovative thinking to maintain a strong financial condition and provide needed services to the public.

As a full service city, Concord offers a full range of services such as public safety, utilities, recreation, and transportation. Concord’s property tax rate has remained level since decreasing to 42 cents per $100 of valuation in FY 2008-09. This rate is currently the lowest of full-service cities in North Carolina over 35,000 in population that do not charge an extra fee for solid waste collection. In other words, no

city in North Carolina is able to do more with its tax dollars than the City of Concord is doing with yours.

The City has operated on reduced budgets focused on providing basic levels of service— emphasizing efficiency, customer service, and the way we deliver service, while preparing for major infrastructure needs.

10 ConCord City CirCular spring 2012 concordnc.gov

Some of the highlights from the current year’s budget include: • improved residential curbside recycling, along with changes in garbage and bulky waste collection, saving the City $1.7 million annually; • new part-time customer service specialists positions to improve customer service in areas of high demand; • 8 eliminated General Fund staff positions for total savings of $366,439; and • 8 frozen General Fund staff positions for total savings of $345,730.

The City has separate funds (or “bank accounts”) for its services, depending on the types of activities supported by the services. Some of the City’s ”business-like” activities, such as public utilities (water, wastewater, stormwater, and electric), have separate funds because they are selfsupporting enterprises without tax funding. All of the City’s activities that are funded by tax dollars are part of the General Fund.

While economic indicators are beginning to level off, the upcoming budget year will be the most challenging yet because of the anticipated reduction in property values.

For the first time, the City’s tax rate will have to increase to ensure the same amount of funding for General Fund services.

For the current year, the General Fund budget is approximately $64 million. About $41 million, or nearly two-thirds, comes from property taxes. The remaining $23 million dollars comes from sales taxes ($11.7 million, or 18 percent), intergovernmental revenues ($6.4 million or 10 percent), licenses/fees ($1.6 million or 2.5 percent) and other revenues ($3.3 million or 5.5 percent). Over 75 percent of the General Fund supports the City’s public safety and public works departments, but a variety of essential services are covered, including the following functional areas:

Public Safety accounts for $35,162,777 or 54.6 percent of the General Fund budget and serves as the safety and protection function, providing assistance to all residents and businesses with life and property protection. Public Safety includes Police, Code Enforcement, Emergency Communications, Radio Shop, Fire Operations, Fire Prevention, Fire Training, and Emergency Management.

2012 General Fund Budget Approximately $64 Million

l.J. WESloWSki/City oF ConCord

Source of Revenue

Public Works accounts for $13,514,469 or 21 percent of the General Fund budget, and serves as the infrastructure function, providing basic services to the community. Public Works includes Streets and Traffic, Traffic Signals, Traffic Services, Solid Waste and Recycling, Cemeteries, and Fleet Services.

Property Taxes 64%

Other Revenues 5.5% Licenses/Fees 2.5% Intergovernmental Revenues 10%

general government accounts for $8,291,008 or 12.9 percent of the General Fund budget and serves as the support function, assisting all City departments in their daily operations.

General Government includes the Governing Body, Public Services Administration, City Manager’s Office, Risk Management, Human Resources, the Wellness Center, Finance, Tax, and Legal. These functions provide support for all City departments.

Sales Taxes 18%

Cultural and recreation accounts for $4,416,222 or 6.9 percent of the total General Fund budget and provides recreational opportunities to the citizens of Concord through the provision of recreational services, parks, and facilities.

How each General Fund tax dollar will be spent

Economic and Community Development accounts for $2,987,374 or 4.6 percent of the total General Fund budget and serves as the business and residential development, land use planning, transportation planning, and development coordinator for the City of Concord. Economic Development includes Planning and Neighborhood Development, Transportation Planning, and Economic Development.

This is also where any incentive payments are budgeted based on agreements with new or expanding businesses that are obligated to create new jobs and generate new property tax revenues.

Economic Development Culture & Recreation General Government Public Works Public Safety

4¢

7¢

13¢

21¢

55¢

As the FY 2012-13 budget process evolves, elected officials and staff will work to develop a plan for the upcoming year that provides the best value possible to citizens, and embodies the City’s adopted mission and core values. concordnc.gov spring 2012 ConCord City CirCular 11

Join us for the third annual

On Saturday, April 14, 2012 the Cities of Concord and Kannapolis and Cabarrus County will host the third annual Viva Verde Earth Fest at North Cabarrus Park. The park’s address is 760 Orphanage Road, Concord.

The free event will take place from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., and in the event of severe weather the event will be rescheduled for Saturday, April 21. For event status information on the day of the event, please call 704-920-4344.

live music by ang Medlin, time Sawyer, tater Family traveling Circus and others!

Educational and green vendor booths Children’s activities, games, and crafts

Visitors should park across from the North Cabarrus Park entrance at the Church of God Children’s Home. Just follow the signs! The parking area will also have a plant swap, book swap, and recycling for tennis balls, papers to be shredded, photo film, disposable cameras, ink and toner cartridges, cell phones, any batteries, compact fluorescent light bulbs, and electronics.

There will also be a Reuse Roundup in the parking area!

Local charities will be on site to collect still-good items citizens no longer need. Local businesses and charities will collect the following items for reuse:

arts and crafts from trashed Studio Geocaching Greenway nature walks Photo and recycled art contest winners

12 ConCord City CirCular spring 2012 concordnc.gov

• Clothing and household items in good shape • Eyeglasses and hearing aids • All types of batteries • Paper towels, bleach, canned puppy food, canned dog food, H/E laundry detergent, newspaper, stainless steel feeding bowls, trash bags (all sizes) • Small appliances in good working condition • Buttons, expired gift cards, leather belts, broken jewelry, yarn, string, ribbon, wine corks, game pieces, keyboards, bottle caps, soda pop tabs, fabric, neck ties, frames, maps, books, soup cans and lids, paper towel and toilet paper rolls, t-shirts, sweaters A free shuttle will transport visitors from the parking area to the event inside North Cabarrus Park, the Herb and Plant Festival at the Piedmont Farmer’s Market, and the Rider Transit Center.

Why not take a CK Rider bus to the event?

The event area inside North Cabarrus Park will host a variety of activities that will have broad appeal. l.J. WESloWSki/City oF ConCord

d

Saturday, April 14 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

North Cabarrus Park

For more information about Viva Verde Earth Fest, visit concordnc.gov/Environmental/ Viva-Verde-Earth-Fest.

For more information, please contact: Concord: Mandy Smith-Thompson smithal@concordnc.gov 704-920-5379 Kannapolis: Renee Goodnight rgoodnight@cityofkannapolis.com 704-920-4311 Cabarrus County: Pete Pasterz papasterz@cabarruscounty.us 704-920-3280

concordnc.gov spring 2012 ConCord City CirCular 13

From the Mayor continued from page 3 Charlotte Motor Speedway will host a Labor Day family festival that kicks off the Democratic National Convention week in Charlotte. Designed to welcome Carolinians, tourists, media, and delegates to the host city, the event will be a free, non-partisan community celebration of the South. The family festival is open to the public and will feature live entertainment, activities, and exhibitions that showcase Charlotte and the Carolinas.

The event could have the economic impact of a race weekend, which has been a saving grace to our community during the economic downtown. According to a recent study from the North Carolina Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development, tourism is booming in our community:

• Domestic tourism in Cabarrus County generated an economic impact of $312.92 million in 2010.

This was a 6.88 percent increase from 2009.

• More than 3,680 jobs in Cabarrus County were directly attributable to travel and tourism.

• Travel generated a $68.92 million payroll in 2010.

• State and local tax revenues from travel to Cabarrus County amounted to $24.83 million. This represents a $365.49 tax saving to each household in the county.

There are many facets of our tourism economy, including the Cabarrus County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Concord Downtown Development Corporation, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord Mills, Embassy Suites/Concord Convention Center, the Great Wolf Lodge, and newcomer Carolina Courts just to name a few. Concord Regional Airport is one of these important pieces and a major economic development tool as well. The airport’s taxiway and parking apron areas will be strengthened this year with the help of a $5.46 million federal grant. After 18 years of use and as larger and heavier aircraft use the airport, the

14 ConCord City CirCular spring 2012 concordnc.gov

increased pavement strength will be needed to support the extra weight. The funding will position our community for continued success in the future.

A very visible improvement with a similar impact is the $180 million of enhancements to I-85 between Exits 49 and 55.

The NCDOT and Lane Construction are doing a great job moving the project along with minimal impact to motorists.

It is amazing to see the difference already, and construction should be finished by November 2013.

Did you know...

Did you know rain barrels not only save you money on your water bill, but they also decrease the amount of stormwater runoff leaving our City? Rain water is supposed to soak into the ground, but that’s impossible when the ground is covered with impervious surfaces like parking lots, roads, sidewalks, and buildings.

Visit concordnc.gov/ Departments/WaterResources/Rain-BarrelsTreegators to learn how to purchase a low-cost rain barrel today!

dEBBiE littlEFiEld/City oF ConCord

Visit concordnc.gov to subscribe to the Citylink email newsletter, and receive weekly updates and information about Concord direct to your inbox.

Manager’s Note continued from page 3 We have started the FY 2012-13 City budget process.

As normal; we must examine how we can provide basic services as efficiently and effectively as possible to determine the revenues needed to fund these services for the upcoming fiscal year (starting July 1). For those services in the General Fund that receive a significant portion of revenues from property taxes, this is a particularly challenging year because of the Cabarrus County revaluation process described in this edition of the City Circular.

The revaluation process is meant to align tax values with market conditions, and affects each property in a unique way. It appears that economic conditions have led many property values to decline while others have remained essentially the same. Overall, property values in Concord have declined by an average of thirteen percent.

In the past, the Concord City Council has lowered the tax rate after revaluations because property values have gone up. However, this cycle’s property value decline is unprecedented. By law, local governments are required to calculate a revenue-neutral tax rate. This is the rate that elected officials would have to adopt to raise the exact same amount of money as before property values changed.

The decline in values means the tax rate will need to increase if City Council decides to fund the same level of services.

When the revenue-neutral rate is calculated this year, the City Council will consider how to fund the City’s basic General Fund services after already eliminating positions and freezing others, after losing approximately $2 million in annual sales tax revenue since 2007, and after the reduction of around $3 million in annual property tax revenue (with more to come) due to the closure of Philip Morris. Since the economic downturn, operational line items have been cut in all departments. Police and Fire and Life Safety are the only major departments that have not seen reductions in budgeted positions.

Communities, such as ours, that have invested in public systems and structures must constantly strive for more efficient service delivery. At the same time, we must also endeavor to meet basic service and infrastructure needs, which are the foundation of our quality of life and security.

Choosing to ignore our built and community infrastructure just passes the problem on to future generations. The decisions made in response to this revaluation will certainly impact how future third graders answer the question, “what City services did you use today?”

City of Concord Important Phone Numbers Fire, Police, Medical Emergencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 911 One number does it all . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .704-920-5555 Call the Customer Call Center for service requests and inquiries about any of the following: • Electric Outages/Services • Water/Sewer Emergencies • Dead Animal Pick-up • Drinking Water Inquiries • Garbage/Bulk Pick-up/Recycling • Utility Bills • Street/Traffic Light Issues • Right-of-Way Issues • Storm Water/Storm Drain/Flooding Problems • Yard Waste/Leaf Collection • Building Material Disposal • Bulk Metal Collection • Old Tire Collection • Vacant Lot Cleaning/Mowing The primary phone numbers for the various City departments are: Main Switchboard Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .704-920-5200 accounts Payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .704-920-5217 accounts receivable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .704-920-5231 Buildings & Grounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .704-920-5380 City Clerk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .704-920-5205 City Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .704-920-5215 Communications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .704-920-5580 Concord regional airport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .704-920-5900 Community development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .704-920-5143 Electric Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .704-920-5320 Engineering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .704-920-5425 Finance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .704-920-5220 Fire Chief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .704-920-5516 Fleet Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .704-920-5430 GiS/Mapping/addressing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .704-920-5153 Housing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .704-788-1139 Human resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .704-920-5100 Meter reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .704-920-5219 Parks & recreation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .704-920-5600 Planning & neighborhood development . . . . . . . .704-920-5143 Police (non-emergency) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .704-920-5000 Public affairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .704-920-5210 Purchasing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .704-920-5440 rider transit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .704-920-7433 risk Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .704-920-5111 rocky river Golf Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .704-455-1200 Sewer Construction & Maintenance . . . . . . . . . .704-920-5351 Solid Waste . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .704-920-5361 Stormwater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .704-920-5360 tax Collector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .704-920-5216 tdd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-735-8262 transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .704-920-5362 Water resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .704-920-5341 zoning/Permits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .704-920-5152

c o concordnc.gov n c o spring r d2012 n ConCord c . City g CirCular o v 15

P.o. Box 308 Concord, nC 28036

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concordnc.gov

mission core values

Accountability We accept responsibility for our personal and organizational decisions and actions while delivering cost effective and efficient services with the objective of doing our work right the first time.

Continuous Improvement

We provide the highest quality service with the resources available by promoting innovation and flexibility to meet the changing needs in the community.

Environment We are concerned

about our natural, historic, economic and aesthetic resources and endeavor to enhance their sustainability for future generations.

Ethics We set high standards for our

personal, professional and organizational conduct and act with integrity as we strive to attain our mission.

The mission of the City of Concord is to partner with our community to deliver services, preserve, protect, and enhance the quality of life, and plan for the future.

Respect We are honest and treat our coworkers and the public with courtesy and dignity.

Safety We use education, prevention

and enforcement methods to protect life and property in our business and residential neighborhoods, and maintain our infrastructure and facilities to provide a safe environment in which to live, work, shop and play.

Teamwork We work together to

plan, develop recommendations, deliver services and openly communicate with the public and each other by soliciting feedback and sharing information to achieve our goals.

Trust We realize the perception of our organization is dependent upon the public’s confidence in our commitment to our core values and to meeting the goals set collectively by the Mayor and City Council.