State funds for ag center limited
By Steve Herring
Published in News on January 28, 2015 1:46 PM
Wayne County's local legislators on Monday offered little encouragement that they would be able to steer a funding bill for the county's proposed regional agriculture center through a cash-strapped legislature.
A request of $10 million or $15 million would be "totally off the table," Rep. John Bell told the county Board of Commissioners. However, there is a "50-50 chance" that the state could chip in $1-2 million for the center, he said.
But Sen. Louis Pate warned that the $2 million already set aside by the county for the center would not be sufficient to sway lawmakers to justify support for such a bill.
The lawmakers made their comments during a Monday morning breakfast meeting with commissioners at the Lane Tree Golf Club.
Pate and Sen. Don Davis of Snow Hill filed a bill in the previous session seeking $3 million for the center. The bill passed its first reading before stalling in the Agriculture/Environment/Natural Resources Committee.
Further complicating the funding issue is the fact that the architect's initial cost projection of $14 million for the basic design of offices and auditorium is about $2 million over what had been expected.
After the meeting, Commissioner Bill Pate, chairman of the county's Agriculture Committee, said he had already known that it would be another tight budget year.
"But having said that, I still think they will do what they can to help us," he said. "We have already put some money aside, but maybe we need to look at putting more aside as was suggested.
"But that is a discussion we have yet to have. At some point I know that we are going to have to."
Bill Pate said he did not how much more might be discussed.
The project has strong support in the agribusiness community, but that group does not want it to result in a property tax increase, he said.
The county might have to borrow some money for the project, but not enough that would require tax increase, he said.
Bill Pate said he hopes to have the schematic plans within 90 days 0r less to hand off to the General Assembly.
Having those plans also will allow the county to begin the hunt for grants and private funding, he said.
Commissioner Joe Daughtery said he recalled the previous legislation and that he hoped it would be re-introduced "maybe with a little tick up" on the dollar amount.
"We are, I think, close to trying to bring this thing to a point of resolution, and we are waiting on legislation to actually get through," he said. "So the ball is kind of in your court before Bill can move forward to actually put his package together."
A $267,745 contract has been awarded to HH Architecture of Raleigh to draft the schematics for the proposed center. Commissioners also approved another $48,000 for additional services, including facilitating public meetings, for a total contract of $315,745.
The county plans to use the design/build/bridge method, a variation of the design/build method, to construct the center.
Under the design/build/bridge method, the architect can only design up to 35 percent of the full design. In addition, HH Architecture will be responsible for setting forth the design criteria for the complete plans.
The county took that route because it does not yet have the money to build the center.
After the county raises the money, it can request proposals from design/build firms to finish the final 65 percent of design, including full drawings, specifications and a guaranteed price to build the center.
Dixon said it was his understanding the center would be designed in stages that could be built over time as money became available.
"I think that is a wise thing to do," he said. "I mentioned to Joe a few minutes ago there is some competition. N.C. State with this initiative for the plant sciences and food sciences -- it is an absolutely magnificent thing for the state of North Carolina."
Commissioner Ed Cromartie asked lawmakers for their "best guess" at whether the county would receive any help.
"We recognize that you guys in this room, you are doing everything that you can," Cromartie said. "I am talking about, as we like to say, 'Those folks up there.' I think Bill for all of the sleepless nights, he deserves to know from your perspective."
"I think it is probably fair to say, and I can probably speak for the delegation, going through a budget process in Raleigh is sausage making," Davis said. "I don't think you can say (what will happen)."
Davis said his commitment to running the bill remains the same and that he and Sen. Pate had worked hard on it during the previous session.
"We have got to hitch our little, tiny wagon to somebody else who has a bigger wagon, and partner with them to get it," Dixon said. "I can tell you there are 100 counties across the state that would sound worthy and would like the General Assembly to give them $3 million."
Justification of the project will be necessary not only to get the initial funding, but additional funding as well, he said.
Davis said the county's needs to cultivate its vision of a center that promotes education and research which makes the project unique and helps to justify it.
The county wants to build the center on the former Cherry Hospital dairy property located across the Old Smithfield Road from O'Berry Center. Commissioners have asked the state for the property and the project has been endorsed by state Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler.
However, the state has yet to act on the request.
As envisioned, the 56,565-square-foot, two-story center would house the Cooperative Extension Service, Cherry Farm administration, Center for Environmental Farming Systems, Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service and Wayne County Soil and Water.
It would include classrooms and an auditorium that could accommodate up to 378 people in banquet-style seating or 528 in auditorium-style seating.