CARTHAGE – The Moore County Board of Education has set a date for a public hearing for a planned development conditional rezoning request for 395.67 acres of property located on Leach Road from RA to Planned Development Conditional Zoning (PD-CZ) for the construction of a luxury racetrack. The board has been hearing opposition to the racetrack for months now from local citizens during the public comment period of their meetings as there are a lot of concerns surrounding noise, traffic and the overall impact on the local way of life and on the current rural/agricultural appeal of the area. The…

CARTHAGE — Moore County is continuing to look for ways in which it can help more animals. At its Sept. 17 regular business meeting, the board held a public hearing to hear about a proposed expansion and potential improvements to Moore County Animal Operations. The Sheriff’s Office had initially approached the board about adding a surgical suite and in-house veterinary staff to its animal operations department back in August. “The problem that we have been confronted with over the last year are complaints over our euthanasia rates being too high and our inept ability to run a county animal shelter…

CARTHAGE – Following a surplus of sales tax dollars from last fiscal year, the Moore County Board of Commissioners has found a way to offer a bit more support to local teachers. At the board’s Sept. 5 regular business meeting, the commissioners approved a one-time allocation of $40,000 to Moore County Schools to be distributed to K-3 teachers to assist with out-of-pocket supply costs. “In our elementary level, there’s certainly more print material, more materials that many times teachers take on on their own to make their classrooms very welcoming,” said MCS superintendent Tim Locklair. “We certainly appreciate the commissioners…

CARTHAGE – The Moore County Board of Commissioners will potentially consider providing a bit of kickback to county teachers following the latest local sales tax report provided to the board. At the board’s Aug. 20 regular business meeting, Board Chairman Nick Picerno urged the board to consider providing supplemental funding to school teachers in order to cover supply costs. “Every year, we hear the story of local teachers having to go into their own pocket to produce supplies and needs – especially in K through three,” Picerno said. Picerno’s initial idea is to send the Moore County Schools Board of…

CARTHAGE — Moore County residents could see (slightly) lower property tax bills, next year. The Moore County Board of Commissioners received the recommended county budget for the next fiscal year at its May 21 meeting and it includes a proposed $0.01 reduction in the general fund tax rate. “The budget really illuminates the county’s mission, vision and values,” said Moore County Manager Wayne Vest in a presentation to the board. “It walks the talk by ensuring funding for exceptional services, governing conservatively, demonstrating respect and compassion for our citizens and visitors, it is fiscally sound and it prioritizes a safe…

The Moore County Board of Commissioners approved a $235,000 land purchase for a new fire and EMS station on J. Dowdy Road, during its meeting last week. “This is a project we’ve been working on for a couple of years to increase the EMS coverage by putting a [quick response vehicle] out on J. Dowdy Road and also in partnership with the local fire department to have a fire station out there to help reduce the insurance rating out there,” said Public Safety Director Bryan Phillips. The board also approved a pair of change orders on the courthouse project, amounting…

The Moore County Board of Commissioners approved a request from the Moore County School System to utilize bond premium funding for the additional purpose of district-wide improvements at its Tuesday, April 16 meeting. “Bond premium funds are currently purposed for the use of gym modernization and updates,” said assistant superintendent of operations Jenny Purvis. “We currently have five gyms that are being updated. We’re in the process of that right now and we estimate that there should be an estimated $3.4 million remaining in those bond premium funds once we finalize and finish completion of those five gyms.” There are…

The Moore County Board of Commissioners met Tuesday, April 2, approving a number of agenda items for future consideration including the naming of seven new roads. Per county ordinance, no new roads in unincorporated Moore County can be created without the approval of the board. The roads, which will be privately maintained, will be considered for approval at the April 16 meeting. They are Bluestone Drive, Candace Lane, Cross Arrow Way, Freida May Lane, Nancy Court, October Road and Palmer Grey Court. Another item was to tweak the UDO to make clear that the use of a personal workshop or…