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23 <br /> Mr. Peterson added design work is going on now and has been working on it for a few weeks. <br /> Ms. Hammersley said the county would look into annexation and would contact the owner of <br /> Builders First Source to gauge their reaction to the possibility. If they were to say they weren't <br /> going to rent after this year, that would be a significant loss because they lease the land from <br /> the county. She clarified if they were annexed, the company would only pay on the <br /> improvements since the county-owned land is tax exempt. Ms. Hammersley asked what the <br /> figure would be. Ms. Hauth responded it would be $23,000 a year, which would be on the <br /> improvements, not on the value of the land. Mr. Stevens clarified if this is the amount that <br /> would go to the town and Ms. Hauth affirmed, noting the county is already receiving their tax. <br /> Ms. Hammersley indicated the county will do more work on this and she will ask the new <br /> Director in Asset Management, who manages the leases, to talk to Builders First Source. <br /> Ms. Hammersley noted the county will also look into the gap for improving the road which <br /> would come from the county's capital budget if that were to happen. <br /> Ms. Hauth added whoever approaches Builders Source to remind them annexation is forever so <br /> they might want to do a cost-benefit analysis of financially participating in this project for 1-2 <br /> years versus paying the $23,000 a year for as long as they are there. <br /> Ms. Rich asked about the status of other parts of the road. Mr. Stevens noted the rest of the <br /> road is in good shape and was recently repaved. He clarified the town has a 20 year cycle of <br /> repaving (for comparison, Raleigh's is a 40-50 year cycle). Mr. Stevens added the repaving <br /> policy is one the town is proud of as they are staying on top of infrastructure needs and setting <br /> a good example. He emphasized how this one road is setting off that cycle and for a business <br /> that isn't in town. While the company benefits us all via sales tax, it's hard to justify the cost of <br /> the road for what it benefits the citizens. At the same time, we don't want to lose the company. <br /> If they indicated they were considering leaving, it could make sense to help them move and <br /> keep them in the county. <br /> Mr. Stevens reflected on the possible downsides of closing the road in terms of the $200,000 <br /> expense and also the significance of maintaining an option for possibly getting over the railroad <br /> tracks in the future, noting this road is one of the few places it could happen. <br /> Ms. Rich asked if all the properties are zoned as industrial and Ms. Hauth answered yes and <br /> there are small businesses on them. <br /> Ms. Hauth connected PFAP to this topic. Since it is s currently outside city limits, she said, if you <br /> wanted to partner the two and get some benefit back to the county, having that property <br /> annexed will save you whatever the water bill is. Could be a benefit back to the county general <br /> fund not having to pay that water bill. Ms. Rich suggested this might be a next step to look at <br /> the difference in water bills in town and out of town. Mr. Peterson said he would find out who <br /> was paying the water bill and report back. <br /> Hillsborough Work Group, October 2019, Page 6 <br />