AN ACT providing that Rutherford county is authorized to construct community college buildings on the campuses of isothermal community college located within the county.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.(a)  Notwithstanding G.S. 115D‑9, 115D‑15.1, and 143‑341(3) or any other provision of law, Rutherford County (hereinafter County) is hereby authorized to construct community college buildings, as that term is defined in G.S. 143‑336, on the campuses of Isothermal Community College (hereinafter College) located within the County. For purposes of this act, the terms construct and construction include making additions, improvements, renovations, or repairs to all or any part of a community college building. The County may finance the construction of these buildings in accordance with Article 8 of Chapter 159 of the General Statutes and G.S. 160A‑20. If the County finances the construction of any building on the College's campuses, the College Board of Trustees may, in connection with the construction, transfer any of its property to the County to be used as security for the financing agreement. The County shall transfer the property back to the College Board of Trustees when any financing agreement entered into by the County to finance the construction, including any additions, improvements, renovations, and repairs, has been satisfied. The County may also construct the community college buildings using other funding sources, including appropriations made by the General Assembly. Upon the completion of the construction of the buildings, the County shall lease the buildings to the College under the terms and conditions agreed to by both the County and College.

SECTION 1.(b)  In constructing buildings as authorized by this act, the County does not have to comply with the provisions of G.S. 115D‑9 or Part 1 of Article 36 of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes. However, the County shall comply with the provisions of Article 3D of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes and Article 8 of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes. The County shall consult with the College Board of Trustees about programming requirements for the buildings and shall keep the Board informed as to the construction process and progress.

SECTION 1.(c)  The County and College Board of Trustees may enter into a memorandum of understanding to allow for the construction of community college buildings by the County on the campuses of the College located within the County if deemed appropriate by the County and College and if the terms of the memorandum will allow for the construction to be completed in a timely fashion and cost‑efficient manner.

SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law and applies only to construction projects, including additions, improvements, renovations, and repairs, coordinated by the County for College uses and purposes.