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SL apntP of ®f� <br /> ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS b'�� + II �� <br /> ALICE M.GORDON,CHAIR � <br /> STEPHEN H.HALKIOTI3, VICE CHAIR P.O. BOX 8181 3 a <br /> JR. <br /> MARGARET W <br /> RE 52 <br /> MOSES C BROWN 200 S. CAMERON STREET t7 ma T N.C. � <br /> BARRYJACOBS HILLSBOROUGH, C 27278 -,, <br /> June 21, 1999 <br /> To Orange County Citizens: <br /> Balancing competing needs and goals in a diverse community is perhaps the most important role of a <br /> county commissioner. We believe the 1999-2000 Orange County budget accomplishes that task in a <br /> manner that is both socially responsible and fiscally disciplined. <br /> A citizen urged us at a hearing to make quality public education 'bur highest priority." That in fact is <br /> the longstanding commitment of the Orange County Board of Commissioners, and we are pleased to <br /> note it remains strong. <br /> Orange County continues to lead North Carolina in the percentage of its property tax devoted to <br /> schools, and in per-capita spending per pupil. This year, as recommended by the county manager, the <br /> Board of County Commissioners approved a 13.5 percent increase for schools, $4.1 million more than <br /> 1998-99 and two percent above the average increase over the previous decade. An additional district <br /> tax appropriation will assist the Chapel Ell-Carrboro system with new school startup costs. We also <br /> will issue bonds in the upcoming fiscal year to pay for the construction of two new schools, one each in <br /> the Chapel Hill-Carrboro and Orange County districts. <br /> Despite our role in appropriating funds for both school systems, the county commissioners have no <br /> statutory authority to approve line item expenditures. We do not approve or disapprove specific <br /> programs and positions.in the schools. Thus, while we support citizens who called at public hearings <br /> for eliminating caps on some teacher salaries and for increased instruction in Spanish, we can do little <br /> more than urge the schools to respond to those concerns. <br /> Please be assured the county commissioners remain conscientious stewards of the public purse and <br /> public trust, and firm in our dedication to an efficient, open and responsive government for the citizens <br /> of Orange County. <br /> Mt"�, ) <br /> Alice M. Gordon, Chair <br /> 5;�L­ 4 <br /> Stephen H. Halkiotis,Vice Chair lmart7t . Brown <br /> Y <br /> r _ <br /> Moses Carey, Jr. arry Jac bs <br /> YOU COUNT IN ORANGE COUNTY <br /> AREA CODE'(919) 732-8181: 968-4501: 688-7331:22X2031: PAX(919) -0246 <br /> EXT. 2130 <br />