Part of the discussions that led to tabling the matter centered on a gray area in whether lottery funds could be used for athletic fields as well as the status of Manning Elementary School construction or repairs.

County Attorney Glynn Rollins explained during discussion of the matter lottery funds go to capital building funds for school building needs and no other facilities.

Discussions with the North Carolina School of Government were ambiguous, he said, stating that the money may not be used for athletic facilities. However, he said, other counties have used their lottery funds for those purposes.

Commissioner Rives Manning questioned Roanoke Rapids Graded Schools District Superintendent Dennis Sawyer on whether the money the school is requesting wouldn't be better applied toward school construction. “Four-hundred thousand dollars would go a long way on an elementary school. I'm not opposed to an athletic complex. I think other things should come first.”

County Finance Director Mary Duncan told the board she had spoke with the state Department of Public Instruction and was told construction of the athletic field was an allowable item.

Commissioner Patrick Qualls, a former city school board member, said, “I know the board spent a lot of time evaluating capital outlay.”

The Manning school project, Sawyer said, remains at the top of the capital funding list, while the athletic complex would be second.

Commissioner Manning made a motion to deny the request, while Marcelle Smith cast the second. “My reason is Manning is the number one project,” Commissioner Manning said.

Board Chair Vernon Bryant suggested that Rollins come back with further information and discuss the matter again at the board's January 20 meeting, which is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

Manning agreed to withdraw his motion.

Sawyer said following the presentation the $460,000 requested would not cover the design fee of a new Manning school.

In email correspondence with County Manager Tony Brown, Sawyer noted, “I really don't feel comfortable providing additional figures for a new Manning as we have not yet received funding to hire an architect. It would be extremely helpful to receive a budget from your team allowing us to proceed with projected plans and more accurate figures.”

He noted that in June correspondence the projected cost for a new Manning school was around $22,853,218.

Plans for the athletic complex have changed some, with the soccer field and athletic complex now slated to be built on the Patterson site instead of Belmont.

As far as the question on what legislation dictates, Sawyer said in the memo, “Our director of facilities, Robbie Clements, spoke with Mary Duncan and Teresa Mozingo regarding the use of lottery funds for our athletic facilities. They researched the matter and confirmed that lottery funds can be used to build athletic facilities on school-owned property … We believe we are in compliance.”