Population
By Becky Long
Publisher
Clay County is projected to grow at a rate of 1 percent over the next 30 years and its population could reach 14,328 by April 2050, an increase of 3,276 over what the 2020 Census showed.
At least that’s “our best guess,” noted Amin Hezaveh who highlighted the Southwestern RPO Pilot Travel Demand Model for county commissioners on Jan. 5.
Hevaveh, transportation engineer for the N.C. DOT Transportation Planning Division, was there to explain the model and get the board’s approval to use the 1 percent as the standard growth projection rate.
Travel Demand Models are “critical tools” for planners and engineers who use them to forecast the transportation needs of the communities they serve, according to the quick reference guide handed out at the meeting. The model also helps transportation professional assess the pros and cons of different options for meeting those needs.
The main inputs for a TDM are socio-economic data/demographics and transportation network:
• Socio-economic data includes population, households, employment, school enrollment, vehicle ownership at traffic analysis level; and
• Transportation network: Includes information about the roadways in the study area.
The SWRPO Travel Demand Model projects:
• A 1 percent growth rate for both population and employment in Clay County for 2020-2050.
• Average North Carolina state population growth rate is 1.1 percent.
• Clay County’s population will reach 14, 892 by April 2050.
• Clay County employment will reach 6,023 by April 2050.
In another issue regarding ambulance fees, an increase of 9 percent for Clay County Emergency Medical Services was approved by commissioners. The rate is retroactive to Jan. 1, 2023.
The increase affects Medicare and private payers and will not affect those receiving Medicaid because that rate is established by the federal government.
Fees increased in 2021 but County Manager Debbie Mauney said the new rates are “not unrealistic considering inflation,” and recommended they be approved.
“Air flight is free — not the ambulance service,” Commissioner Scotty Penland commented.
Commissioners approved the fee schedule as follows:
• ALS emergent: Includes advanced lifesaving, IV, meds, etc. - from $561.55 o $622.37.
• BLS non-emergent which is basic life support, hospital to hospital transport or non-life threatening emergencies - from $300 to $327.57.
• BLS Emergent, basic life support, transportation but no advanced lifesaving intervention - from $472.88 to $525.10.
• ALS 2 advanced life support II, meaning cardiac arrest, full doses of meds, critical interventions - from $812.76 to $900.80.
In an unrelated matter, March 16 was set as the publication date to print delinquent property taxes in the Clay County Progress.