Granville County board approves preliminary $15.6 million plan to finance high‑school repairs

Granville County commissioners voted May 4 to approve a preliminary resolution authorizing staff to pursue roughly $15.6 million in installment financing to fund capital improvements at J.F. Webb High School and South Granville High School. The board said the financing would be structured as limited obligation bonds and must be approved by the North Carolina Local Government Commission before a final borrowing is authorized.

The public hearing produced contrasting views. A resident identified as Johnson said he supports investing in schools but urged greater transparency about how the $15.6 million would be allocated. “Support does not mean silence,” he said, calling for a complete project list, a cost breakdown by school and a timeline for delivery. Johnson warned that borrowing could cost taxpayers substantially more after interest and questioned using debt for what he described as non-core items, noting the county’s unassigned reserves.

Amanda LeBreck, who spoke in support of the plan, said the projects are not “luxury upgrades” but necessary maintenance: “We’re not talking about patching a leak, we’re talking about protecting tens of millions of dollars in school infrastructure that belong to the taxpayers of this county,” she said, urging the board to approve the loan so work on roofs, parking lots and tracks can proceed before problems worsen.

County staff told the board the financing will use Section 160A‑20 of the North Carolina General Statutes and that the two high school properties are expected to serve as collateral for limited-obligation financing rather than a general-tax pledge. The county identified a preliminary financing amount of approximately $15,600,000; the final amount will be set after construction bids, market conditions, and financing proposals are received. Some proceeds may reimburse prior eligible expenditures and cover financing expenses.

The board approved a motion to adopt the required findings of fact and to authorize staff to proceed with the application to the Local Government Commission and solicitation of financing proposals. Staff said final financing documents will return to the board for formal approval, currently anticipated on June 15, 2026.