Minutes - 19951209 - Laserfiche WebLink

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there were State funds for the Career Ladder and energy, which have been deleted. The playing field has changed and the environment has changed and the County has not addressed the impact of these changes. The operating policy the Board has been pursing, in terms of the District Tax, has been to keep it as is and address increased allocations through the Countywide property tax. John Link said that because the needs of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro School system are much greater, the question becomes how to finance these needs. He does not envision a successful bond when Chapel Hill-Carrboro School system is the only system identifying needs. Geoffrey Gledhill said that it is clear that the District Tax is an operating expense tax but people in that system can vote to expand the use of the District Tax to include capital. Commissioner Crowther asked about the trend of expanding the use of schools for recreation, skill development, libraries, etc. He questioned if these should be separated out to emphasize that schools are being used for community uses other than education. Commissioner Willhoit suggested that the County could acquire land for the purpose of future school sites and in the interim use it for recreation purposes. Chair Carey made reference to the School Construction Standards Study Committee and said that there is a policy assumption that future schools will also be for community use. This is a decision that needs to be made in the planning stage. Commissioner Gordon said that there could be schools for the purpose of education and then schools that will also be used by the community. The Board decided to talk further on whether or not they want to change the purpose for the District Tax and present to the people for a vote. Commissioner Halkiotis asked for information on how schools are being used for daycare and after school programs from each school system. He would like to know how the facilities are being utilized now. He feels that schools should be designed with the community in mind. Chair Carey feels that all schools should provide some community space. Commissioner Gordon said she would like to talk about (1) how to pay for startup costs, (2) identification of future school sites, (3) allocation of recurring capital funds and (4) whether Orange County needs a school in Bingham Township. John Link will provide the present methods for paying for new schools. RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE STATE'S EFFORT TO ADDRESS LOCAL SCHOOL FACILITY NEEDS Commissioner Crowther suggested adding another "Whereas" to address community use and it was decided not to do this. Chair Carey made reference to the 5th Whereas and suggested adding verbiage to indicate the total cumulative percentage over the last five years for student increase and note that expenditures and investments have far outsurpassed the County's revenues for this purpose. Commissioner Gordon suggested adding to the resolution verbiage which would recognize the County's effort in addressing capital needs. Commissioner Willhoit suggested adding to the resolution verbiage about the equivalent cents on the tax rate and the amount paid to debt