Sonia Biggs

The Moore County Board of Commissioners has set the departmental fee schedules for FY 2024-2025, effective from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025. These fees cover various services provided by county departments, including the County Attorney, Tax Office, Elections, Register of Deeds, Sheriff's Office, Public Safety/Fire Marshal, Solid Waste, Planning and Zoning, Permitting and Inspections, Transportation Services, Information Technology (GIS), Cooperative Extension, Soil & Water Conservation, Child Support, Youth Services, Aging, Library, Parks & Recreation, Social Services, Health (Clinical)/Environmental Health, Water Pollution Control Plant, Water and Sewer-Public Utilities, Property Management, Emergency Medical Services, E-911 Telephone Fund, Human Resources/Risk Management, Day Reporting, and East Moore Water District (EMWD). The schedules include charges for copies, data requests, attorney services, tax collection, election services, recording fees, civil process services, detention center services, animal services, fire permits, solid waste disposal, planning and zoning applications, building permits, transportation services, GIS services, extension services, soil and water services, child support services, youth services, aging services, library services, parks and recreation services, social services, health services, water pollution control, water and sewer services, property management services, emergency medical services, E-911 services, human resources services, and day reporting services.

The committee discussed Senate Bill 382 and its implications for local governments' ability to manage growth, including concerns about downzoning and permitted uses. A motion was made to ask county commissioners to request state legislators to revisit the bill, but it was tabled for two months. The committee reviewed text edits for updating the 2013 LUP Goals, Recommendations, and Actions, with members providing editorial recommendations. The process leaders will synthesize these contributions into a textual format for a draft copy to be reviewed.

This document outlines proposed goals, recommendations, and actions for a land use plan. The strategic direction is structured around five key pillars: preserving and protecting the county's ambiance and heritage, conserving open space and vital natural resources to enhance community health and wellness, optimizing land use with adequate infrastructure to support desired growth, providing information and seeking citizen participation, and accommodating a variety of housing types.

The meeting included a review of the July meeting minutes and discussion led by Robert Hayter. The committee discussed the definition of Land Use Planning, geology, soils, elevations, watersheds, cultural and regulatory environment, infrastructure, planning jurisdictions, schools, historic and cultural open spaces, land use classifications, market value per acre, and a mass space study of structures by decade. Also discussed were directives and factors for consideration, including population trends, stewardship of the land, and the importance of environmental conditions. The committee reviewed slides illustrating County and municipal public roads, water and sewer systems, and public water supply watersheds. A case study of a Moore County parcel was reviewed to demonstrate available land information. Homework was assigned to committee members to review the 2013 Land Use Plan and identify valuable items for reconsideration or revision.

The meeting included presentations on utilities, DOT, Moore County Public Schools, and Sandhills Community College. Utilities presentation covered water lines, utility development, water usage, and sewer capacities. DOT presentation discussed transportation organizations and highway improvement projects. Moore County Public Schools presentation covered land use and school capacity studies. Sandhills Community College presentation covered external change factors, the skilled workforce, and community college funding.