Orange County NC Website
the talk about increasing the cigarette tax is important and that a portion of these revenues <br />should be dedicated as a funding source for the Farmland Preservation Trust Fund and for <br />promoting agriculture. Similarly, there is talk of increasing the tax on beer, and a portion of <br />those revenues could be dedicated to mental health and substance abuse rehabilitation <br />treatment programs. <br />Commissioner Gordon asked if there is any pending legislation. Geof Gledhill said <br />that there are several cigarette tax bills. He does not know about the alcohol ones. <br />Commissioner Gordon asked about the rehab code and what was going to be done <br />about it. Commissioner Halkiotis said that he liked this, but he would like more lead-time. He <br />would like to hear from some people that are owners of old facilities. <br />Chair Carey suggested just passing the pink sheet (memo about rehab code) to the <br />legislators. <br />Noah Rannell made reference to item 42, and suggested adding to it as opposing <br />unfunded mandates for local governments such as pollution management strategies related to <br />water quality for both the Neuse River and Jordan Lake Watershed. <br />The Board agreed. <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Jacobs to <br />close the public hearing on potential items for inclusion in Orange County's legislative agenda <br />package for the 2005 North Carolina General Assembly Session and approve the three draft <br />resolutions. <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />9. Items for Decision--Regular Agenda <br />a. Schools Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (SAPFO) -Approval of Annual <br />Certifications <br />The Board considered a review of the Annual Report from the Schools Adequate Public <br />Facilities Ordinance Technical Advisory Committee (SAPFOTAC); and provided appropriate <br />direction to the Manager and staff. <br />John Link said that, as part of the provisions of the memorandum of understanding by <br />the County, the school systems, and other municipalities, the Schools Adequate Public <br />Facilities Ordinance Technical Advisory Committee has the responsibility each year of <br />developing a report that outlines changes in actual membership capacity, student projections, <br />and their collective impact on future issuances of certificates of adequate public schools <br />(CAPS). He pointed out that their recommendation is to continue with the K-3 class size of 23 <br />students to one teacher, knowing that the General Assembly made a decision to reduce the <br />number of students to 21 students to one teacher, without any additional funding, provided to <br />the County. <br />Rod Visser said that, regarding the capacity situation, there is going to be a need for a <br />group to meet and try to resolve before next November how capacity should be determined. <br />The documents are based on the 23:1 ratio in K-3. He pointed out the major points in the <br />report. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis asked for the review from Geof Gledhill, which highlighted the <br />issue of unfunded mandates from the State. He thinks it is outrageous that the Governor <br />made this unilateral decision. <br />16 <br />