They said it on the Internet

Six days ago today, a post on the Moyock Facebook page trended immediately. The subject was school construction costs in the county. In this post, we want to add some context to the discussion. We reached out to Currituck County Manager Ike McRee, who provided insight into the county’s realities.

Construction

Construction projects across the region are experiencing costs far greater than design estimates. Currituck is not alone. Chowan County’s high school project was initially estimated at $50 million but has actual expenses estimated at more than $80 million. The new Camden County high school project is estimated to cost over $70 million.

McRee also put the 22 million for 22 classrooms at Moyock Elementary School (MES) and Middle School (MMS) in context. Those costs included more than just 22 classrooms. Demolition of a deficient structure was necessary. A new building was constructed, adding better-functioning classrooms, restrooms, and an expanded cafeteria. Additional space that lacked function was converted into a band and chorus area. The county also connected all buildings so children are no longer vulnerable to having to exit one building to get to another.

Taxes

A breakdown of the 10-cent tax increase makes it more palatable. Four cents is designated for the Tulls Creek Elementary School debt, and the additional 6 cents was necessary to bring the budget back to 2023 levels based on inflation and cover expenses discussed below.

Resource Officers, Patrol Cars and Firetrucks

Additional revenue was necessary to acquire a new million-dollar fire engine for Corova Beach and two new ambulances to begin replacing an aged fleet. McRee also said that the rotation of new patrol vehicles for the Sheriff’s Office was suspended for two years. Eleven new patrol vehicles and five SUVs are in the 2024 new budget. The new budget also funds seven School Resource Officers so that all schools now have a presence on campus. On top of all of that, $ 3,600,000 was allocated for school capital needs. McRee says this isn’t an all-inclusive list of expenditures earmarked for the additional 6 cents.

My Opinion

As Currituck Continues to grow, its citizens will not only require more significant infrastructure and services but, in some cases, demand more. As we are all witness to school violence across the country, we have started to not only require more security for our children but rightly demand it. Currituck has met this growing need by placing a resource officer and vehicle at every school. While Currituck growth will require an additional elementary school in Moyock, the county has no control over inflation. The time between final approval of a school design and location to actual shovels in the dirt is often several years or more. Construction costs will naturally increase over time.

Wish List

I would like to see the county do several things, but each requires funding. Here’s my shortlist:

• Increase the size of the office of the County Attorney to include a senior Attorney, Staff Attorney, and an additional staff paralegal. This may sound expensive, but it might actually prove to be cost-effective.
• Increase staffing in Parks and Recreation to include two part-time recreation assistants to open the County’s only indoor court to “open play.”
• Outside basketball courts at geographically accessible schools throughout the county. Courts must be designed to meet National Recreation Association safety standards.
• Paved Recycling centers with sludge containment.
• Adding a full-time Surveyor and assistant to the Development Services Department. Additional duties could be assigned. This would allow the county to verify elevations across county development from new construction homes, businesses, drainage and ditches, etc., but not for property owner disputes unless the county has an interest.

I’m sure everyone has something they would like added to a county wish list, but we must always keep in mind the costs for each.

County Manager Budget Message

For those who would like more detail on the budget, McRee provided us with a copy of his Budget Message to the Board of Commissioners. I encourage you to read this message; it provides good granularity on the funding needs of Currituck.