By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

Davidson’s Town Board on Tuesday agreed to reopen discussions about amending the town charter to lengthen the terms of the mayor and commissioners from the current two years to four, and stagger commissioners’ terms. Board members also appeared in consensus that voters should decide the change in a referendum this November.

Also at the board’s monthly work session, Police Chief Jeanne Miller outlined a proposed overhaul of the town animal control ordinance. Davidson has not reviewed the full ordinance since 1978, and it needs significant rewriting, Chief Miller said. Changes would seek to boost enforcement, improve an appeals process, and possibly ban tethering – tying dogs to fixed chains or ropes – a practice animal activists consider inhumane. The issue likely will come up for further discussion later this spring or summer. Read the full story

Updated Monday 7:13 a.m.
By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

Davidson’s Town Board this week plans to revive discussions of a proposed town charter amendment that would lengthen terms for the mayor and town commissioners. At its monthly work session Tuesday the board also is scheduled to hear presentations on the downtown rail station area plan, an economic development strategic plan being drafted by a consultant, and potential changes to the the town Animal Control Ordinance.

The meeting begins at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Town Hall, 216 S. Main St. Read the full story

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

Chief executive David Auger says there’s a paradox in all the numbers coming out this week about the MI-Connection Communications System. The company owned by Davidson and Mooresville is in a growth spurt – adding customers and expanding revenues. But it’s restating this year’s budget and revenues downward and now needs another $1.1 million from the towns by June 30 to meet a shortfall.

“We’re seeing unprecedented growth, more than anything we’ve seen since MI-Connection came about,” Mr. Auger said Thursday. But, with the company now asking for more money, he said, “there’s a paradox.”

He offered several major reasons for the shortfall: Read the full story

Davidson’s Town Board on Tuesday approved a series of planning ordinance changes that include allowing larger accessory structures in rural areas. The board also agreed to designate the former Davidson IB School on South Street as a historic landmark. Read the full story

Chart shows MI-Connection budget trends. The 2012 budget is to be restated lower at Thursday's board meeting, resulting in an increase in the towns' subsidies. Click to download a copy of the proposed 2013 budget. (SOURCE: MI-Connection financial statements, interviews with company officials)

MI-Connection Communications System plans to re-state its budget for the fiscal year ending June 30 to account for lower-than-expected income that company officials are blaming on delays in the takeover of key business functions from an outside operator. The system’s chief executive said Tuesday the shortfall means MI-Connection will have to ask its owners, the towns of Davidson and Mooresville, for an additional $1.1 million to balance its budget this fiscal year. Read the full story

Davidson’s Town Board will hold its monthly meeting Tuesday night, when commissioners are scheduled to hear an update on the Red Line Regional Rail Project, vote on statehouse lobbying priorities for 2012, and hold a public hearing on one set of planning ordinance amendments and a vote on another. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. Davidson Town Hall, 216 S. Main St. Read the full story

Davidson’s Town Board has meetings Monday and Tuesday nights this week, in part to look at planning issues. On Monday night, the commissioners hold a joint session with the Planning Board to review a proposal for a multistory retirement housing project off I-77 Exit 30. Then on Tuesday, it’s the board’s monthly work session, with presentations about the downtown rail station area plan and town Economic Development Strategic Plan. Read the full story

Speakers at a public hearing last Tuesday, Feb. 14, offered support for designating the former Davidson IB School on South Street as a historic landmark. Supporters included both the property owner, Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, and its current tenant, Lake Norman Christian School. See the full story in REAL ESTATE & HOME»

Also on Real Estate & Home today, the latest Davidson and Cornelius home sales. And Teal Michel’s Interior Design column, with a focus on the color green.