Commissioners: ‘World-class facility’ would increase revenue, improve quality of life
By Kevin Spradlin
PeeDeePost.com
ROCKINGHAM — The long-discussed Rockingham Recreation Complex could move a step closer towards reality if Richmond County voters approve a quarter-cent sales tax hike on the November ballot.
The Board of Richmond County Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution to request Connie Kelly and the county Board of Elections to place the initiative on the general election ballot. The initiative seeks to increase the county sales tax to 7 percent, or 7 cents for every $1 spent, up from 6.75 percent.
It’ll take a simple majority, 50.1 percent or better of those who vote, to make the proposed tax increase a reality. This comes less than five weeks after the commissioners adopted their Fiscal Year 2015 budget which included, in County Manager Rick Sago’s words, “an unsustainable approach” of borrowing from the county’s fund balance, or rainy day fund.
Sago said Monday before the commissioners’ vote that the board is not obligated to earmark proceeds of any tax increase to voters but they often have chosen to do so.
“I think it’s a great idea,” said Commissioner Ben Moss, who read from a prepared statement. “I”m all for it. This quarter-cent sales tax increase could give us a revenue to make things happen.”
To be sure, the project — as proposed in the city of Rockingham’s Master Plan as designed by WHN Architects, of Charlotte — would alter the landscape of about 118 acres off Old Aberdeen Road. The facility would include four baseball/softball fields, three youth baseball/softball fields, four more adult baseball/softball fields, an 18-hole disk golf course, a tennis facility, a soccer complex comprised of five playing fields and an activity center, complete with a miniature train, a splash park, a carousel, a playground and a dog park, among other amenities.
The project, as proposed, would be completed in seven phases, led by a four-field baseball complex and infrastructure improvements to set the stage for the following six phases. There is no price tag to the overall project available on the city of Rockingham’s website.
Sago, Moss and the other commissioners tied the recreation complex project to economic development, as it would bring in an estimated $11 million — based on figures from other, similar facilities — and improve the quality of life.
“It’s something that can complete a full circle,” Moss said. “If we could host these tournaments, naturally, when they come here we have the potential to increase our fuel sales, food sales (and) booking of local motel rooms.”
Moss called a sales tax increase “the only fair tax” as it is spread over the its users.
“We can’t put the burden on the property owners anymore,” he said. “They’re paying enough.”
Board Chairman Kenneth Robinette echoed some of Moss’ sentiments.
“This will bring in a tremendous amount of outsiders,” Robinette said of a “world-class facility.”
“Economic development is not just manufacturing anymore,” he said.
Once the story was broke on The Pee Dee Post’s Facebook page as Monday’s public meeting was in progress, however, some county residents seemed to oppose the idea. Enough is enough, they said.
“No jobs, but let’s have a tax vote,” said Chuck Treadaway.
Said Bill Thompson: “Just what this county needs. More taxes! Haven’t had a raise in over 10 years and every tax hike is a pay cut!”
“I don’t like this, they should be cutting tax(es),” said Howard Richardson.
It might not matter. It’s a fact that many Richmond County residents are avid sports fans — the ongoing youth baseball and youth softball tournaments in Eden, High Point and Rockingham are three examples, plus more than 200 women in a recreational softball league in Ellerbe. And if the players themselves are too young to vote, their parents can always register.
Still, the commissioners noted that revenue from the sales tax increase, if approved by voters, would be earmarked solely for the recreation complex.
“We’re willing to help any municipality or anybody in the community” with an economic development project, Moss said.