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• <br /> answered by Ms. Rendleman. <br /> X. ITEMS FOR DECISION - REGULAR AGENDA <br /> A. 1991-96 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PLAN <br /> County Manager John Link gave an overview of the <br /> "newcomers" to the 1991-96 CIP. Discussion ensued and it was <br /> decided that: (1) a study shall be done to determine how many days <br /> a month and how many hours a day the four courtrooms are being used <br /> and the feasibility of using night court and weekend court, (2) the <br /> possibility of utilizing an existing building to house an <br /> additional EMS base station would be explored, (3) consideration <br /> would be given to conducting a long-term facility study and <br /> availability of financing for the study, (4) the goal for <br /> utilization of space will be to move the existing programs out of <br /> rental space into the Court Street Annex and make a determination <br /> for providing the space necessary for the Small Business Training <br /> Center and other training programs, and (5) a fee for parking will <br /> be considered. <br /> Population projections for the schools were discussed. <br /> David Stancil stated that since 1975 there has been an increase in <br /> the birth rate of 48%. It is expected that the increase in the <br /> Chapel Hill/Carrboro System by, the end of the decade will be 45% <br /> for a total of 8 , 000 students and the increase in the Orange County <br /> system will be 20% for a total of 6100 students. The areas that <br /> are expected to see the influx of new enrollment are in the <br /> transition areas north and west of the towns, Eno and Little 'River <br /> Townships and the Rural Buffer area. <br /> Chairman Carey asked that the discussion be focused first <br /> on the need for a new high school. He would like for that planning <br /> to be considered in the context of that high school serving all of <br /> Orange County. When it comes on line it should be planned to serve <br /> all of Orange County and be strategically placed to serve both <br /> school systems. Second, he would like to focus on the remaining <br /> needs. He suggested a citizens group which will recommend timing <br /> and the other components of a bond issue. <br /> John Link stated that with regard to the requested 90 <br /> million dollars for a bond issue, the staff could not recommend, <br /> from a fiscal accountability standpoint, that the Board consider <br /> anything more than 30 million. That would create a three cents <br /> property tax increase for three years, a total of nine cents. <br /> Discussion ensued on the responsibility of the County to <br /> provide school facilities and the best way to finance these <br /> facilities. Commissioner Willhoit questioned if the housing had <br /> already been built for this increased student population and what <br /> revenues a proposed impact tax might generate. John Link will <br /> develop a charge for a citizens committee for consideration by the <br /> Board at the March 4 meeting. It was decided that the County <br /> Manager would work with the school superintendents on the concept <br /> of one high school and develop a proposal on how this may be <br /> accomplish and report back to the Board. <br /> Motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by <br />