City approves new reappraisal appeal
On Monday, Oct. 22, the Winston-Salem City Council approved renovations at the Public Safety Center, a request for the county to examine the reappraisal process, and a contract for a new city website and app.
The following items were approved unanimously during the meeting, and most were on the consent agenda, which the council didn’t discuss before passing.
Public Safety Center Renovations
The council approved a $10.2 million contract with Bar Construction Co., Inc. for renovations at the Public Safety Center, paid for with 2014 General Obligation Bonds. The city set subcontractor goals for the project at 17 percent minority-owned businesses (MBE) and 9 percent women-owned businesses (WBE). Bar submitted a proposal with only 4 percent MBE but had 40 percent WBE. The company was found to have met good faith standards.
The renovations on the three-story, 60,000 square foot building includes HVAC, generators, lighting, the electrical system, fire and security systems, bathrooms, plumbing, office and the auditorium. The building will not close during construction and the 911 Call Center will be fully operational during this time.
Property Tax Reappraisal Request
The city sent another request to the Forsyth County commissioners to reexamine the county’s process for property tax reappraisals as some areas in predominately African-American communities continued to see declines in residential property values even as 70 percent of properties saw an increase in 2017. The city resolution says that rent on some properties seems to indicate a higher property value than they’re appraised at. It also suggested interiors of homes should be inspected during the reappraisal process, instead of just doing that when a homeowner appeals. The next reappraisal will take place in 2021.
New City Website and App
The council approved a five-year contract not to exceed $233,641 with CivicPlus, Inc to create and host a new city website and mobile application. The city’s current website was implemented six years ago and is hosted in the city’s data centers. The contract involves creating an Alpha website to test the new site that the City Council and public will get to view and give feedback on before it’s finalized. The app CivicPlus will develop will give city staff freedom to determine what content and services from the city’s site should be on the app. Along with the five-year contract, the city also plans to purchase consulting services, not to exceed $50,000, from CivicPlus and/or one of its partner agencies for software development to integrate the new site with various city services.
Lake Park Subdivision Covenants
The council amended the declaration of covenants, rights, conditions and restrictions for the Lake Park Subdivision in East Winston. The City of Winton-Salem acquired 22 vacant lots in Lake Park this year. At the behest of residents there, the covenants were altered to make sure that any homes built on those lots are up to same quality as what’s there now.
