news-record.com

As the debate on three capital projects continues, the Gibsonville Board of Aldermen listened to ideas for cutting costs on construction of a public works building Aug. 17.

Ken Stafford, an architect with Alley, Williams, Carmen & King, estimated that the town could cut about $150,000 from building’s cost, which has been estimated at $1.5 million. The firm is wrapping up the design phase and hopes to bid the project next month.

“The bidding environment’s really good out there,” Stafford said. “If these contractors are hungry and want to work hard, we’ll see some bid prices that are very competitive.”

The town asked the firm to find ways to trim the cost of the project, which includes a 12,000-square-foot building for vehicle storage and repair, and an impoundment building for the police to use for seized vehicles and animals.

These alternatives to the plan will be included in the bid package:

• A 30 percent reduction in size of the impoundment building
• Using concrete instead of asphalt
• Lining the exterior of the building with metal panels instead of masonry
• Eliminating automatic openers on gates
• Minor light and power changes in the open bays.

The buildings will be constructed behind the public works department’s current building on Springwood Church Road. Five bays will provide cover for dump trucks and other town vehicles.

If the town isn’t satisfied with the bids that come in, it doesn’t have to award the project to anyone, Stafford said. If necessary, the town could remove some bays or not build the impoundment lot.

However, the bays will protect expensive vehicles from rain and ice and will save money in the long term, he said.

Neil Bromilow, a planning board member and candidate for Board of Aldermen, said even if the bids come in significantly below expectations, the town still needs to figure out creative ways to fund an expensive project.

“It is not going to go away and be magically funded by the tooth fairy,” he said.

Town Manager Ben Baxley estimates that property taxes would need to go up 4 or 5 cents per $100 tax value — $60 to $75 a year for the owner of a $150,000 house — to fund the public works project, renovations to create new parks and recreation space, and a gym. All three projects are in the design phase.

Resident LaRue Southern presented the board with a petition with 54 signatures asking the town to survey residents on their opinion before raising taxes.

“The board’s not spending their money. They’re spending our money,” she said. “We don’t have the money to go up on taxes. Children are going hungry in our town. It’s time to wake up.”

Baxley said a 1 cent tax increase would fund $750,000 of the public works project.

Councilwoman Veronica Revels said taxes would have to be raised to fund the project. “The question is how much,” she said.

Alderman Mark Shepherd said the town doesn’t know yet for sure that extra taxes are necessary.

Contact Jamie Kennedy Jones at jamie.kennedy@news-record.com or 449-4610.