Caldwell County DSS -1

Recently, I involved myself in a local issue regarding the building of a new Department of Social Services (DSS), Planning & Building Department, and Health Department building in Caldwell County North Carolina. (I will refer to this group of county agencies as DSS for ease of communication.)

The local debate is whether or not to build a new site for DSS or buy and remodel the existing site.

The current county commissioners want to build a "first class" DSS building for an estimated cost of $14-20 million. They have already paid an architect a reported $67,000, of a $670,000 contract, for a rendering of the site and a cost proposal.

One developer estimates the cost of buying and remodeling the property to be only $5 million. A savings of $9-15 million to this county that really has no money for such an expenditure. Some concerned citizens want to look at the cost figures and have an open discussion about funding and planning; it has been denied by the commissioner due to lack of information and uncertainties about the plan.

Currently, the DSS offices are in a leased building owned by WELBURN REALTY. There are allegations of mold, extensive water leaks, and flooding. In the lease, there is a claus that says if DSS pays OVER $100 for any repair, WELBURN REALTY, THROUGH Bernhardt, will assume the remaining costs associated with the repair. According to Ben Griffin, HE KNOWS OF no such repair expenses paid by the county.

I plan on stopping by the DSS offices to ask them show me the mold, leaks, and flooding. THEY SHOULD BE ALL TOO HAPPY TO SHOW THEIR DEPLORABLE CONDITIONS. I'll post my update.

The county commissioners want to push this deal through before June 2007, so they can ADJUST THE PROPERTY TAX RATE TO INCREASE THE COUNTY BUDGET as a compelling reason to raise property taxes on the struggling citizens of Caldwell County. If they do not have the new construction slated with a hefty price tag, they cannot justify the property tax increase and will have to wait for another opportunity.