ORD-2004-057 - Central Elementary Renovations Orange Co Schools Capital Project Ordinance

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Lr1,~ ~._ ~Ol~ 4~-- o ,5 '7 ~ - ~~-.v ~ g Approval of Fiscal Year 2004-05 Budget Ordinance, Capital Proiect ~~ Ordinances, and Grant Proiect Ordinances The board considered adopting the County's budget ordinance,.capital project ordinances, and grant project ordinances for FY 2004-05. Commissioner Gordon said that they have not seen this material and she asked for a brief overview so that she could have time to read it. John Link said that the specific recommendations were on page two, which is to adopt the Orange County Budget Ordinance and the countywide tax rate of 88:4 cents, and the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School Tax of 20 cents. The resolution amends the Classification and Pay Plan to add the new class of:Parks Conservation Technician II at a salary grade 14 and change the title of existing class of Parks Conservation Technician at salary grade 12 to Parks Conservation Technician I with no change in salary grade. The Board'would also authorize a two percent cost of living increase for permanent employees effective October 11, 2004 and adopt a County fee schedule. Also, in the bright pink packet are the capital project ordinances for CHCCS and OCS and grant project ordinances for Orange County general government. These are projects that are a continuation of projects that have already started: There is also a resolution of intent to adopt the Orange County budget.' This is the completed document with the actions taken on Monday evening. It just confirms the actions taken. Also, section two and section three indicate by major function the appropriation for each major function and on the next page are the revenues earmarked for the entire budget. The next page includes the tax rate levies for each ire district. The per pupil appropriation is $2,623 per student, which is an increase`of $3. Donna Dean said that the capital project ordinances for schools and for the County have no new funding but need a deadline extension. It also includes projects receiving new pay-as- you-go money next year. Regarding the 2/3 net debt issuance, Little River Park project needs funds in place to pay the contracts and the new courthouse needs funds for renovations on the exterior. Chair Jacobs said that they did suspend until further discussion any fees for picnic shelters and picnic tables. Donna Dean said that this point is included in the resolution of intent. A motion was made by Chair Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to change number six on page three to reduce the property tax proposal from 88.4 cents to 88 cents, which would be a reduction of $400,000. Chair Jacobs said that the more he thought about it with the solid waste fee and the revaluation for next year, and the possibility of a countywide supplemental school tax, he believes they should exercise more rigor in reducing the operating budget this year. He would like to exercise more discipline in reducing the expenditures. Commissioner Brown asked where the cuts would come from. Chair Jacobs said that they would come from the governing and management, general services, community, environment, culture, and recreation funding, which. are about $22 million. He will leave it to the Manager to figure out which would be the least painful to cut and to bring back some proposals. Commissioner Halkiotis said that they did this several years ago and the Manager was able to do it. He thinks it is entirely doable. Commissioner Carey said that he thinks the sentiment is sincere and he agrees with this because raising taxes is difficult. He said that the Board has asked the Manager to find cuts before, and he will support this motion, but his concern is that-they have never done changes like this before on the last night and before they have had a chance to review the reductions. He trusts the Manager, but he is concerned that the cuts the Manager would make might not be the cuts he would make.