By Peggy R. Shearin
Observer Correspondent
The Soul City Parks and Recreation Association offered to give the Magnolia Ernest Recreation Park in Soul City to Warren County during a work session with the county commissioners Monday.
The offer comes with the stipulation that county officials agree to a three-year plan of repairs and upgrades that would cost roughly $120,000 at the facility that is valued at $400,000.
Jane Ball-Groom, president of the Soul City Parks and Recreation Association, told the commissioners the repairs would include refurbishing the swimming pool, tennis and basketball courts.
At present, the association owns the park and leases it at a nominal fee to the county. The 20-year agreement expires June 30.
She told the commissioners the association would like to work out a month-to-month agreement with the county prior to fall. Ball-Groom said that her group would work with the county in assisting with applications for grants, fund raising and making the community aware that the park is a countywide complex, not just for the residents of Soul City.
Dickie Williams, Warren County Parks and Recreation director, commented that he has advertised and called people who he knew had a lifeguard certification and so far he was only able to confirm one lifeguard to staff the pool in the Magnolia Ernest complex for the summer.
The commissioners took no action on the item.
In other action Monday:
• The board tentatively agreed to repeal a requirement that appointees to various boards and commissions appear before the commissioners before being appointed to those posts.
This requirement has been controversial since its inception in September of 2005.
Commissioner Barry Richardson voiced approval for the provision to remain in effect, stating that he thought potential appointees should be willing to attend the meetings where they were appointed.
County Chairman Clinton Alston and Vice Chair Ulysses Ross were strongly in favor of removing the provision.
• The removal of term limits for board appointments was also discussed.
Some term limits are set by state code, thus no changes could be made concerning those boards.
Warren County’s policy currently states that a person may only serve two consecutive terms and only sit on two boards simultaneously.
Chairman Alston commented that he didn’t like raising the number of boards on which one person may sit, but he would support this because it is hard to get people to serve.
• A $30,000 bid for purchase of the Peter Davis store on Front Street in Warrenton was placed on April 20, with a $15,000 deposit. The next highest bid was $20,000; the county requires that the new owner renovate the structure to historical standards.
• The commissioners also discussed appointing a board of equalization and review to hear property-tax valuation appeals. The county commissioners currently make up the board, but most of North Carolina’s counties have equalization and review boards made up of other than commissioners.
In past years, Warren County has had few appeals but with a new countywide revaluation scheduled in two years, there is anticipation of a surge in the number of appeals.