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- 322 <br /> NANCY SALMON spoke in favor of the impact fees. She feels this is not <br /> a perfect answer but probably the most appropriate to address the capita' ', <br /> needs in the County. She feels that in the long run higher taxes would be <br /> more detrimental than a one time fee. The schools attract families to the " <br /> area and the Orange County district is equally as attractive as the Chapel <br /> Hill-Carrboro district. She feels that economic development may not be the <br /> answer to this problem because more jobs means more people and more children. <br /> The main problem with impact fees is that it makes housing more expensive. <br /> She suggested a sliding scale may help this problem. <br /> RICHARD KENNEDY lives in the County school system and supports impact <br /> fees. He feels the County should plan ahead and take advantage of this <br /> opportunity to meet the needs of the schools. <br /> DELORES TAYLOR agrees that the County has an obligation to the children <br /> in this County to speak for the children. She asked the Board to support this <br /> fee for the building of elementary schools. <br /> VIC KNIGHT stated that the Board of Realtors oppose impact fees. He <br /> believes there are other ways to raise money for the schools.. They do support <br /> the proposed Economic Development Districts and feel that new industry will <br /> raise additional revenues for the schools. <br /> MARTI MANDELL spoke in favor of the impact fees on new residential <br /> construction. She feels that this is the most logical choice to help raise <br /> money for public schools. She feels it is not wise to have a bond issue so-, <br /> soon after the one approved last November and since there is little industry <br /> the County cannot depend on this type of revenue to help build schools. <br /> WOODY CLARENCE, local home builder, questioned if this is the right way <br /> to raise the money needed for the schools. He builds homes for people who <br /> have lived in the County for a long time and questions the fairness of <br /> charging these people who have no children. With regards to affordable <br /> housing, he stated that most homes cost in excess of $100, 000. <br /> - MARY BIISHNELL, Chair of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Board of Education,- - <br /> emphasized the need for school capacity. They have moved their sixth grade <br /> and expanded most of their elementary schools and still need to build <br /> elementary schools. What makes this appropriate and fair is that new .housing <br /> increases the district's capacity for population. The economic development <br /> district proposal, is long range and will not help to meet the needs of today. <br /> She urged the Board to support the impact fees proposal and help the schools <br /> get the facilities they need. <br /> HENRY WHITFIELD .spoke against impact fees. He talked about the OWASA <br /> fees and how they have increased from 1982 to 1992 . He feels the County is <br /> building extra expensive school buildings and should try to reduce this cost. <br /> He supports paying for these new facilities through the regular advalorem tax. <br /> JENNIFER MILLER spoke in support of the proposed impact fees. <br /> LARRY CARROLL stated he supports the impact fee over the impact to-.. <br /> However, he would like to pay through the property tax rather than impac-L. <br /> fees. He offered to work with the County in implementing these fees. The <br />