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~, _ ,J MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS JUNE 22, 1978 The Orange County Board of Commissioners continued budget discussions on Thursday, June 22, 1978 at 7:30 p.m, in the Commissioners' Room of the Court House in Hillsborough. Members present were Chairman Richard Whitted, Commissioners Norman Gustaveson, Jan Pinney, Norman [calker and Donald Willhoit. Staft members present were S. M. Gattis, County Manager; Neal Evans, Finance Director; Joe Bradshaw, Administrative Assistant, and Agatha Johnson, Clerk. Also present were representatives from the Chapel Hill-Carrboro and County school systems. The budget discussion began with a presentation of Coznmissicner Walker. Commissioner Walker stated that he would like to see a no-increase budget for fiscal year 1978-1979. Further, he suggested the .Board set a policy whereby the budget is not amended from month to month. He stated that he wished to go on record as being opposed to the Health Department's proposed fee schedule for land development services. Regarding legal fees, Mr. Walker stated the proposed budget appropriated $79,440 for legal services. He suggested that $50,000 could be saved in legal cast by employing a full time attorney. He added that the attorneys have not provided the Board with a justification as to why this amount is needed and this cut would save 1~ an the proposed tax increase. He stated recreation is a county-wide program and should accomodate citizens from both ends of the County. He stated he woL'~` like to cut from the budget the appropriation for Municipal SupporR This cut would also save 1~ on the proposed tax increase. He suggested that the capital outlay for schools be evened by appropriating $233,200 to both school systems for a total of $466,400 instead of $572,400. This would be a saving of $106,000_ If the Board wants to consider the $144,000 which was transferred in Chapel Hill's current expense to capital outlay, Chapel Hi1I`s capital outlay could then be reduced $144,D00 for a total of $93,000.. He stated he was concerned about how Chapel Hill ended the fiscal year with a fund balance of $212,000 plus an additional $50,000 to be added at audit time. For the schools current expense, Mr. Walker recommended a 6~ increase instead of the Manager's proposed 13$ increase. This would be $374 per pupil and a saving of $216,141, but an increase of $126,000 over last year's current expense. He suggested that some of the fund balance be used to bring the per capita pupil expense up to $3$0 if the Board was so inclined. A summary of Mr. Walker's proposed cuts are: t $ 50,000 from Legal Services 75,000 from Municipal Support 106,800 from Capital Outlay 14q,000 which was transferred from Chapel Hi11's current expense earlier this year 216,141 from current expense $587,941 Total The $587,941 would reduce the proposed tax increase about 7.7~. Discussion ensued amoung members of the Board regarding certaa,n areas of Commissioner Walker's proposal. Chairman Whitted informed the Board of three areas of supplemental appropriations by the General Assembly: 1) Area of Exceptional.Children,2) Area of Maintenance Mechanic, 3) Between 26 and 30~ Increase on Fuel.