By Andie Foley
andie.foley@salisburypost.com

A representative from Martin Starnes and Associates will present findings from the county’s 2017 certified annual financial reports on Monday.

Monday’s presentation will be made at the 6 p.m. Board of Commissioners meeting, held at the Rowan County Administration Building on West Innes Street.

At the end of the 2016 fiscal year, Rowan County had an outstanding balance of $46.8 million in school-related debt.

According to the 2016 report compiled by Martin Starnes and Associates, the county’s total net position increased by $9.8 million year over year. This was primarily due to county management’s “focus on monitoring spending and maximizing revenue collection,” said the report.

The 2016 report also found general obligation and installment financing debt down 15.1 percent: $11.2 million.

Some 70 percent of income for the county came from sales, property and other taxes in 2016. Six percent came from its fund balance, six percent from sales and services, one percent from permits and fees, 16 percent from state and federal grants, and one percent from debt proceeds.

According to the Rowan County 2017 Annual Report, 38 percent of revenue was spent on education, 22 percent on human services and 18 percent on public safety in 2016.

The remaining 22 percent was spent on transportation, cultural/recreational expenses, debt service, economic development, transfers and general government expenses.

Other items from Monday’s agenda include:

• Commissioners will hold a public hearing to rezone a parcel off of Shinn Farm Road.

The 12.69-acre property is owned by Cashe Properties, LLC out of Mooresville. Owners are seeking to rezone the property from rural agricultural to industrial-commercial.

The property is located within the Coddle Creek watershed, and would adjoin an existing 85-acre industrial district in the area.

• Commissioners will hear a request from the Grow Rowan Marketing Team and consider a request for funding for a coordinated county-wide marketing plan.
• Commissioners will discuss rural internet dead spots.