RALEIGH — At its June 7 meeting, the state’s Local Government Commission (LGC) voted unanimously to transfer the assets of the town of East Laurinburg to Scotland County. The state took control of the town’s books last November and dissolution of East Laurinburg is set for June 30.
“It is never our desire to be forced into a situation where we must take such drastic action,” State Treasurer Dale R. Folwell, who chairs the LGC, said in a statement. “But East Laurinburg has been struggling for years to effectively conduct its government operations.”
East Laurinburg has just over 280 residents and is located in Scotland County.
Folwell went on to say the town “was the subject of a state audit that revealed misappropriation of taxpayer money” and the last municipal election saw write-in candidates elected to four open seats “because there was not enough interest among residents to lead the town out of its downward spiral.”
“We have run out of tools in our toolbox to keep the town afloat,” said Folwell.
The LGC also approved a number of financial requests, including approval of a $135 million general obligation bond package for the City of Greensboro (Guilford County) that voters will have to approve in a July 26 referendum as part of the city’s general election. Paying for the bonds will cost an estimated property tax increase of up to 1.25 cents per $100 of valuation.
The Greensboro bond package has five components and has apparently raised questions about prioritizing recreation over public safety, with $70 million going to parks and recreation and just $6 million for law enforcement facilities. Another $14 million is included for firefighting facilities, $15 million for transportation and $30 million for housing.
Other double-digit funding approvals included:
- $42 million in limited obligation bonds for Asheville (Buncombe County).
- $37.5 million in revenue bonds requested by the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency for acquisition, construction and equipping a 198-unit family apartment complex known as South Emerson Hills in Kannapolis (Cabarrus and Rowan counties).
- $26 million in financing sought by Inlivian, also known as the Charlotte Housing Authority (Mecklenburg County).
- $20 million for Jackson County to building a pool an aquatic center.
- $18.5 million in limited obligation bonds for New Hanover to acquire and build Hanover Pines Nature Park and number of other projects.
- $17.5 million in limited obligation bonds for Johnston County to build a 63,000-square-foot public safety facility to house the Sheriff’s Office and emergency management operations.
- $15 million for Cabarrus County to enter a public-private partnership to build a library and senior center in the western portion of the county.
- $10.5 million in financing for Fayetteville to build an 18,032-square-foot fire station and relocate another station.
