By Jessie Burchette
Salisbury Post
County commissioners hope to convince Salisbury city officials to work out a deal for cutting taxes at the Rowan County Airport.
Chairman Arnold Chamberlain said at the commissioners’ meeting Monday that city officials will be invited to the next airport meeting scheduled in March.
In the meantime, Chamberlain urged commissioners to lobby City Council members and city officials to work with the county on reducing the tax rate or creating some type of economic development zone.
The focus on the airport came as the county is working on a master development plan that will extend the runway and seeking ways to bring in companies and corporate jets. Last month, the county agreed to build its first corporate hangar for lease.
Commissioner Jim Sides sparked the discussion, asking the board to consider working to get the airport property de-annexed from Salisbury. Sides said the double taxation ó city and county ó is a deterrent to the county-owned airport attracting more business and planes.
Sides stressed that he isn’t trying to pick a fight with the city, but wants to see the airport developed for everyone’s benefit. He said the double taxes put the Rowan Airport at a distinct disadvantage in competition with the Concord and Statesville airports.
Sides asked board members whether they wanted to have staff do research and look at getting a bill through the General Assembly to de-annex the property.
“How likely is that to pass?” asked Vice Chairman Chad Mitchell, adding that he didn’t want to waste time if such a bill has no shot.
Commissioner Jon Barber and Chamberlain said local legislators, including Rep. Fred Steen and Rep. Lorene Coates have said they would not sponsor a bill to de-annex the airport without the city’s approval. Chamberlain said city officials have told him they would oppose any such bill.
Commissioners supported Sides’ view of the annexation, saying they strongly oppose forced annexation. Commissioners also agreed it would have been better to have worked out a deal with the city prior to annexation.
But officials said the 2006 annexation came as a surprise to them and County Manager Bill Cowan.
Commissioner Tina Hall urged the board to look at the broad spectrum of options. “We all want a good plan. … If we can bring in business, it will help everyone.”
Chamberlain said that while he doesn’t want to get into a fight with the city, “sometimes you can win with a little bit of a fight.”
Commissioners noted the board’s commitment to moving ahead with airport development, including the runway extension that will cost millions of dollars.Sides pointed to the millions of tax dollars the county has invested in sewer and water projects and turned over to the city’s Salisbury-Rowan Utilities. He suggested this would be an opportunity for the city to help the county.
Sides noted that the bulk of the taxes the city currently collects is on $20 million worth of Food Lion planes ó about $120,000 a year.