Herb Council, chair of the Wake County Board of Commissioners, classified the County's performance as "strong" over the past year as he delivered the "State of the County" address at today's regular Board meeting. Click here for the complete text of the address.
The address marked the conclusion of Council's one-year tenure as Board chair, as commissioners elect a new chair and vice chair each year at their first December meeting. Council reflected on the County's accomplishments of the past year and spoke of the challenges that lie ahead.
"Your commissioners serve in a time of great prosperity for many yet a time of great hardship for others," Council said. "Relative to other parts of our state and country, Wake County prospered and experienced explosive growth this past year while individual families suffered greatly from the national recession and subsequent job loss. The economic circumstances resulted in increased demand for job training programs, emergency food and housing assistance and health clinic services. All of this was occurring against the backdrop of a nation that continued to grapple with the consequences of September 11th."
Council spoke of the County's response to natural disasters such as the December 2002 ice storm and Hurricane Isabel and readiness for public health disasters and bioterrorism, noting that County staff has already given more than 100 smallpox vaccinations to prepare healthcare workers for managing such a crisis.
"While we can never fully ready ourselves for what the worst could bring, we can certainly do everything to prepare and plan in the event it does occur," Council said. Council also called for establishment of a regional task force to address syphilis elimination.
Wake County continues to be an attractive place to live and work, Council said, reading a letter from Standard & Poor's, which awarded the County a AAA bond rating: "the county's strong regional economic base; a diverse and growing tax base coupled with a property tax rate that is lower than comparable municipalities; high wealth levels; strong financial performance; and a low debt burden despite a significant capital improvement plan."
Explosive growth, in the face of continued economic downturn, puts a strain on County services as well as natural resources. In the area of environmental stewardship, Council noted that commissioners have focused on protecting open space, water quality and air quality while working with all municipalities to preserve open space.
Council pointed to the importance of partnerships in solving community problems such as solid waste management and issues that know no borders such as air quality and water quality.
"We have seen what can be accomplished when we all work together," he said. "It is our duty as users of natural resources to be vigilant about protecting them for generations to come."
In reflecting on the fiscal responsibility that has resulted in low property tax rates and growth in business development, Council contrasted those economic strengths with the struggle of many working-class families to find affordable housing in Wake County.
"It is my belief that people who work in our county and contribute to the economy should be able to live here," Council said, pointing to the more than 25,000 families earning less than $30,000 who need affordable housing in Wake County, while noting that the County has helped purchase 531 units of affordable housing since 1999.
Partnerships and regional planning will be key to solving the County's most pressing issues of air quality, transportation and growth management, Council said, noting the additional challenge of mental health reform as the County's role shifts from being primary provider to assuring community-based services.
"We will need to think differently about how we ensure that external providers serve these citizens in a way that promotes positive outcomes," Council said.
Council paid tribute to the two Sheriff's deputies who gave their lives this year while on duty – Deputy William Franklin James II and Deputy Phil Owens. Later in the meeting, commissioners established a memorial to fallen officers in Wake County.
Council concluded his address by thanking his fellow commissioners for their leadership and by saluting County employees for their service.
"The County is strong, and together we are resolute to tackle the challenges that lie ahead," he said. "The leadership by elected officials, employees and citizens is poised to carry us forward."