North Carolina is using the 44,272 population figure to distribute state-shared revenues for Moore County.

This is the certified estimate supplied by the Office of State Budget and Management. The figure represents only residents whose homes are not in one of the 11 municipalities. It does include residents in such developments as Seven Lakes and Woodlake.

County Planning Director Andrea Surratt said she checked the estimates by comparing known population figures with recent annexations and finds the figure to be reasonably accurate.

"We're comfortable with their estimates," she said.

The figures supplied by State Demographer Bill Tillman shows that as of April 2000, Moore County's unincorporated population was 42,187.

The county's total population, including unincorporated areas and the 11 municipalities, is estimated in excess of 80,000. These population estimates are not official from a census point of view but are used by the state in distributing certain revenues collected by the state for distribution to local governments, such as sales taxes.

BUILDINGS -- Moore County's new building growth represented 10.8 percent by the end of September.

The monthly summary of the Code Enforcement Division shows that 60 building permits were issued in September, including 28 residences, three commercial units and 29 alteration and addition projects. The increase represents a comparison of 2006 building permits with the number issued for the same period in 2005.

The growth also represents a 9.1 percent increase in estimated value of the buildings.

The summary shows that the 60 building projects carried an estimated value of $7.8 million, bringing the total for the year to $80 million. The total for the same period in 2005 was $73.3 million.

In September, the Code Enforcement Division also issued 244 permits for such things as electrical, plumbing, heating and insulation.

The report was presented to the Moore County Planning Board at its October meeting.

DEADLINE -- Tuesday, Oct. 31, is the last day to apply to the Moore County Board of Elections for an absentee ballot to be mailed.

In the meantime, one-stop absentee voting is continuing daily at the Agriculture Center on Pinehurst Avenue across the street from the elections office in Carthage. The one-stop voting period will end Saturday, Nov. 4, at 1 p.m.

LEASE RENEWED -- Moore County has renewed its lease with the Chamber of Commerce for office space in the Currie Building in Carthage.

The lease agreement contains an option for annual renewal for up to five years. The 60-square feet of office space accommodates a chamber satellite office.

County Emergency Management and Public Safety agencies occupy most of the office space in the county-owned Currie Building. Sandhills Community Action Program also has offices there.

Florence Gilkeson can be reached at 947-4962 or by e-mail at florence@thepilot.com.