Editorial - October 2003

Population growth brings financial burden

Published October 20, 2003

Growth pains are not new to Lincoln County, but lately, they seem to be hurting more.

The Lincoln County Board of Education told commissioners some $47 million is needed during the next five years to build new schools and renovate the old ones. Superintendent Jim Watson presented both a five-year and a 10-year facility plan to the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners during a joint meeting. The 10-year price tag is $89 million.

That’s a huge amount of money. Commissioners should carefully review the request to make sure the board is not exaggerating the needs. But that’s unlikely, given the rising population in Lincoln County. Just this past week local business leaders heard a Charlotte consultant talk about the future requirements for sewer and water in Lincoln County. Engineer Robert Sallach, president of Olver Inc.said that during the next 20 years water upgrades would cost around $23.6 million as some 9,500 new customers come on line. Sewer costs for the same period are expected to reach $47.8 million as 12,255 new customers tap onto the system. He said Lincoln County will see its population jump from approximately 70,000 today to 107,900 by 2023, a 55 percent spurt.

Future school building needs will obviously require a bond issue that must be supported by a vote of the people in Lincoln County. Educating the public on this need is critical if such a measure is to pass.

The Board of Education listed the top priority as an elementary school in west Lincoln which would cost an estimated $8 million It would relieve overcrowding at Union, Love Memorial and North Brook. Another $15 million was requested for a middle school in the central part of the county.

This worrisome news comes just as the county has completed construction on two new schools, North Lincoln High and St. James Elementary School.

As school officials and commissioners ponder these future needs, they must be realistic about the capacity of the taxpayers of Lincoln County, who have been inflicted by layoffs and a depressed economy for some two years now. Every effort must be made to find local governments alternative revenue sources to the over-used property tax. The leadership in finding these sources may have to come from the state.

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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