050407s
HARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Minutes of Special Meeting
May 4, 2007
The Harnett County Board of Commissioners met in special session on Friday, May 4,
2007, at Highland Elementary School, Buffalo Lake Road in the western area of Harnett
County.
Members present: Teddy J. Byrd, Chairman
Beatrice B. Hill, Vice Chairman
Dan B. Andrews
Tim McNeill
Gary House
Staff present: Neil Emory, County Manager
Wm. A. (Tony) Wilder, Assistant County Manager
Kay S. Blanchard, Clerk to the Board
At 9:00 a.m. Congressman Bob Etheridge held a press conference to announce the
introduction of legislation to provide $200 billion federal funding for schools. The funds
would be distributed from the federal government to the states, then the states would
distribute to its counties with the greatest needs. He stated that there is a huge need
across America for new school facilities. A New School Act has been introduced and
includes $500 million for North Carolina. This is the first time since the Eisenhower
administration that there has been major federal funding for building schools this close to
approval. Congressman Etheridge expects that there will be broad bipartisan support of
the bill.
The Board of Commissioners met jointly with the Board of Education, each chairman
calling to order its meeting. The purpose of the joint meeting was for presentation of the
School System’s budget request for FY 2007-2008. Dan Honeycutt, Harnett County
Schools Superintendent, presented the proposed budget and discussed various items in
each section. There being no further business the two boards adjourned.
Commissioner Tim McNeil who represents Harnett County on the BRAC (Base
Realignment And Closure) Regional Task Force, introduced Paul Dordal, Executive
Director of the Regional Task Force. Mr. Dordal noted that Fort Bragg will become the
Four Star Headquarters of the Army, the intellectual hub. Harnett County is considered a
Tier I which mean there will be a significant impact. More that 25,000 people will come
and it is anticipated that the majority of growth will be in 2010-2011. This will be the
largest increase in population at Fort Bragg since World War II. Housing is being built
for enlisted men and their families and will take approximately 6 years to complete.
Contractors, carpenters and other workers will be moving here from out of state and there
will be emerging industries to accommodate the large building projects.
After Mr. Dordal’s presentation, the group toured Linden Oaks military housing in the
North Training Area. Linden Oaks is located on 1100 acres with 300 acres preserved
wetlands and environmental buffers. There is projected 1500 homes to be built which
will have one primary access control point with a fenced perimeter. It will be served by
Fort Bragg Fire & Police Services. Initially there will be one child development center.
Two Fort Bragg elementary schools and one middle school are planned. Also being built
are two Neighborhood Centers with resort-style swimming pools, and one Bark Park (for
dogs).
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Teddy J. Byrd, Chairman
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Kay S. Blanchard, Clerk to the Board