Orange County NC Website
U6 <br /> Commissioners took exception to Mr.. Schwartz's percentages, noting that <br /> there were accounting changes and debt service' from the school bond issue <br /> which were not 'strictly comparable through those years. <br /> Mr. Schwartz responded that it was not his intent to misrepresent any <br /> figures. He noted that the schools funding request had increased by $600,000 <br /> over the previous year (1981-82). Mr..Schwartz said that the Orange County <br /> Board of Education wanted more capital funds appropriated, it needed more and <br /> the needs were well -documented. Mr. Schwartz said the School staff had examined <br /> the County budget picture and had found that revenue projections were.under--- <br /> estimated by'"at least $190,000"; he suggested that amount be "given' to the Orange <br /> County Schools!' for capital.needs. <br /> Following some discussion on oversight procedures for school projects-, <br /> Commissioner Whitted returned to Mr. Schwartz's revenue projections. He <br /> said the property tax collection rate would not necessarily increase this <br /> year, as the collection rate was very high for the previous year; for the sales <br /> tax figure he said with.the recession we are currently in, it is not "prudent" <br /> to project an increase in .revenues from that sources; for the. software fees, <br /> Commissioner Whitted said that money had been committed during the budget session <br /> and thus is not available for other expenditures. Commissioner Whitted said <br /> the County was aware of some decisions which had been made that the school staff <br /> may not have known when examining the County budget; he thanked the school <br /> for their comments on the County.budget and added that County staff had done a <br /> very good job of estimating revenues. He said the Board of Commissioners would <br /> "be very reluctant to go in and second guess a lot of projections and detail <br /> work" on the part of County staff in order to allocate $190,000 for a one time <br /> expenditure.and he felt that such an action would be fiscally unsound. <br /> Mr. Schwartz said that this was not a one time need; "you can pay us now <br /> or you can pay us later:' he said to emphasize his point. <br /> Commissioner Whitted said he appreciated Mr. Schwartz's comment but that <br /> it was fiscally unsound management to increase projections just to fund a one <br /> time expenditure. Commissioner Whitted said the revenue projections were care- <br /> fully examined by both the County fiscal staff and the Board in order to fund <br /> an entire budget "not just one item." <br /> Commissioner Willhoit also pointed out that the sales tax projection figure <br /> was provided by the State and he felt the County should not project higher.. <br />