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Ifo F4 7? <br />Balancing competing needs and goals in a diverse community is perhaps the most <br />important role of a county commissioner. We believe the 1999 -2000 Orange County <br />budget accomplishes that task in a manner that is both socially responsible and fiscally <br />disciplined. <br />A citizen urged us at a hearing to make quality public education "our highest <br />priority ". That in fact is the longstanding commitment of the Orange County Board of <br />Commissioners, and we are pleased to note it remains strong. <br />Orange County continues to lead North Carolina in the percentage of its property <br />tax devoted to schools, and in per- capita spending per pupil. This year, as recommended <br />by the county manager, the Board of County Commissioners approved a 13.5 percent <br />increase for schools, $4.1 million more than 1998 -99 and two percent above the average <br />increase over the previous decade. An additional district tax appropriation will assist the <br />Chapel Hill- Carrboro system in new school startup costs. We also will issue bonds in the <br />upcoming fiscal year to pay for the construction of two new schools, one each in the <br />Chapel Hill- Carrboro and Orange County districts. <br />Despite our role in appropriating funds for both school systems, the county <br />commissioners have no statutory authority to approve line -item expenditures. We do not <br />approve or disapprove specific programs and positions in the schools. Thus, while we <br />support citizens who called at public hearing for eliminating caps on some teacher salaries <br />and for increased instruction in Spanish, we can do little more than urge the schools to <br />respond to those concerns. <br />Please be assured the county commissioners remain conscientious stewards of the <br />public purse and public trust, and firm in our dedication to an efficient, open and <br />responsive government for the citizens of Orange County. <br />