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Gurley: State of Wake County Strong; Community Planning Together for Responsible Growth


11/20/2006

Wake County is strong and growing, and its leaders and community are planning today to meet the needs of tomorrow, Board of Commissioners’ Chairman Tony Gurley said today.

In the 2006 State of the County address, Gurley highlighted the County’s accomplishments of the past year, including:

  • New facilities, such as Cameron Village, North and West Regional Libraries and the new Holly Springs Branch Library and Cultural Center.
  • Thousands of acres of open space preserved, and Historic Yates Mill County Park opened.
  • Partnerships with municipalities to foster unified and effective development and stewardship of water supply and water quality.
  • New fire trucks, purchased at a savings of $600,000 to taxpayers, and other public safety and health technologies to protect citizens.
  • Corporate investments by international businesses making Wake County their new home, along with thousands of new high-paying jobs.

"None of these achievements would be possible without the careful planning and steady progress toward the priority goals set by this Board of Commissioners, our hardworking staff and our many committed partners," Gurley said.

Gurley focused on progress made with the Board’s top goals for this year. He highlighted progress with schools and education, the Blue Ribbon Committee on the Future of Wake County, development and responsible growth, economic development, criminal justice, water quality and open space, solid waste disposal solutions, mental health care, Human Services, public safety and the County’s many partnerships.

"This Board of Commissioners worked closer than ever before with the Board of Education and Wake County Public Schools," Gurley said, thanking School Board Chair Patti Head and the School Board for its leadership and partnership. "Our citizens showed us that they support these efforts by passing a $970-million school bond two weeks ago."

Gurley pointed out that a strong educational system has been a major factor in businesses’ decision to move into the area, and he cited Wake Technical Community College as a crucial contributor to that system, as well.

Gurley lauded the work of the Blue Ribbon Committee, a group of 65 business and community leaders that met for six months to examine the County’s infrastructure and recommend the best ways to pay for the needs of schools, roads, jail space, and water and sewer facilities over the next 25 years.

Growth presents a positive challenge for the County and its municipalities, Gurley said.

"What we must continue to do is work diligently to promote responsible growth," he said, noting that partnerships with municipalities provide a critical component to this responsibility. "Each town and city in Wake County is sharing specific plans for development, which should help us make more accurate population and infrastructure projections in the future. This will help us to better manage our resources and to ensure a higher quality of life for our current and future residents."

Gurley noted that the County’s economic development program has helped bring in significant corporate investments in the past year, including Meadwestvaco, Credit Suisse, Novartis and Fidelity Investments – companies that will provide more than 3,500 new, high-paying jobs and an investment of more than $400 million to the local economy. He also commended the City of Raleigh on its downtown revitalization and its partnership on the convention center.

"We realize the tremendous value of attracting visitors to all of Wake County," Gurley said, "increased tourism dollars, new businesses, new jobs and the positive impact on our local economy and cultural opportunities."

Gurley also spoke on several other issues that highlight the County’s progress in 2006, including:

  • Launching a Criminal Justice Master Plan that will improve existing courthouse facilities and build a new criminal courts complex.
  • Expansion of the Hammond Road Detention Center, to relieve jail overcrowding.
  • Preservation of open space throughout the County and purchase of remaining acreage for the Little River Reservoir to provide a future drinking-water supply for the County. These efforts won state and national awards.
  • Approval of the South Wake landfill to provide solid waste disposal to Wake County residents for the next 25 years.
  • Work with a service provider to secure inpatient beds and expanded services for persons with mental illness.
  • Opening of the Healing Place for Women and Children, to help homeless families affected by alcoholism and drug abuse. Gurley cited the Healing Place as one of the County’s successful partnerships.

"When our County provides support that enables private and nonprofit partners to excel at their specific areas of expertise, then we all succeed in addressing the special needs of our citizens," he said, noting that the Board has allocated community capital funding to such agencies as Hospice of Wake County, Urban Ministries, the Tammy Lynn Center for Developmental Disabilities and Interact in the past year.

In what is expected to be his final Board meeting as Commissioners’ chairman, Gurley thanked his fellow commissioners and County staff for their support during his leadership tenure. The Board of Commissioners elects a chair and vice chair each year for a one-year term, beginning at the first meeting in December.

For the full text of the 2006 State of the County address, click here.



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