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Commissioner Gordon made reference to public utilities and asked for further <br /> information about how, if the County does not revalue, it will lose money from public utilities. <br /> John Smith said that utilities are taxed at 100% of value every year. The North Carolina <br /> Department of Revenue develops evaluation for utility companies. The NCDR sends <br /> evaluations of each utility to the counties, and then the counties apply the appropriate tax rate. <br /> In 2008 in Orange County, the ratio was 75% of value for most properties. As long as the ratio <br /> is above 90%, utilities will be taxed at 100%. If the ratio falls below the 90% mark, then utilities <br /> will be taxed at that ratio. This would equate to a reduction of $564,000. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs asked for an explanation of the Homestead Exemption, and <br /> John Smith provided this. This program is regulated by the North Carolina General Assembly. <br /> The County Commissioners cannot provide these exemptions. <br /> Commissioner Yuhasz asked how many people that request an adjustment to the <br /> revaluation actually get one and it was answered 15-20%. John Smith said that he expects <br /> that this will double this year. <br /> b. Presentation from Durham Technical Community College <br /> The Board received a presentation from Durham Technical Community College <br /> President Bill Ingram on the College's strategic plan. <br /> Bill Ingram said that on January 27th the Board of Trustees brought to the Board a <br /> strategic plan for the next 8-10 years. He said that he appointed a task force made up of <br /> faculty, staff, students, and a representative of the Board of Trustees to develop a plan over <br /> the course of nine months. The new mission statement is as follows: <br /> Durham Technical Community College's mission is to enrich students'lives and the <br /> broader community through teaching, learning, and service. <br /> He said that the most important initiative is learning and student success. The other <br /> initiatives are applying technology, emphasizing globalization, sustaining the learning <br /> environment, and fostering and strengthening partnerships. <br /> Bill Ingram said that this is a time where communities are turning to community colleges <br /> and he is seeing record enrollments at Durham Tech. He thinks that this plan will help Durham <br /> Tech move forward during this critical time. <br /> Commissioner Gordon asked about the fostering and strengthening partnerships <br /> initiative, specifically the last bullet, "forging strong partnerships that foster economic growth <br /> and support workforce development." She asked for examples. <br /> Bill Ingram said that he has worked closely with the economic and workforce <br /> development entities in the service area — Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce and <br /> Orange County Economic Development Director to help recruit businesses and industries that <br /> want to move into the area. Training opportunities have been provided through grant funds <br /> available through the North Carolina Community College system. Durham Tech is also <br /> working closely with businesses and industries that are now retrenching. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs asked if Bill Ingram had any experience in working with prison <br /> populations to try and help them learn skills in order to integrate back into the community. <br /> Bill Ingram said that Durham Tech has a number of programs within the prison system. <br /> There are GED programs for the inmates. The programs are governed by the length of stay <br /> for the inmates. <br /> Chair Foushee asked Bill Ingram to address the two-year credit program with respect to <br /> students who graduate from the program and are admitted to UNC system schools. Bill <br /> Ingram said that this is an agreement with UNC institutions. This agreement assures <br /> admission to a UNC institution for any community college graduate with an associate arts or <br />