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PUBLIC CHARGE <br />Chair Bill Crowther dispensed with the reading of the public charge. <br />3. BOARD COMMENTS <br />Commissioner Halkiotis expressed a concern about publicizing how much is being budgeted for a <br />new school. The price of a new middle school is being publicized as $20 to $22 million dollars. He <br />asked that the County Commissioners consider a range like $15 to $20 million. On another issue, he <br />clarified that the County does not provide money for salaries or supplements. The County sets an <br />allocation per pupil and they don't approve where the money is spent. <br />Commissioner Carey expressed disappointment that the County did not get the CDBG for the <br />Efland project. He asked Tara Fikes, Director of Housing and Community Development to write a letter <br />requesting specific reasons why the County did not get this grant. It was decided that a letter will be <br />written and signed by all County Commissioners. <br />Commissioner Brown made reference to the Skills Development Center and said that they do have <br />an architectural drawing which the committee will be considering next Friday. It will then be brought to <br />the Board for their approval. She asked for an update on the rabies situation and Dan Reimer, Health <br />Director, said that they will meet with area veterinarians and APS staff on Friday to map out a plan of <br />action. <br />4. COUNTY MANAGER'S REPORT - NONE <br />Melissa Gerrall was introduced as working with County Attorney Geoffrey Gledhill on County <br />related business. <br />5. RESOLUTIONSIPROCLAMATIONS <br />A. RESOLUTION REGARDING VARIOUS BILLS IN THE NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL <br />ASSEMBLY <br />John Link summarized the information in the agenda. He asked that the County <br />Commissioners consider adopting two resolutions that would indicate Orange County's support for, and <br />opposition to, various bills under consideration in the 1997 Session of the North Carolina General <br />Assembly. Geoffrey Gledhill further explained some of the proposed bills. <br />Commissioner Carey made reference to Senate Bill 518 which would provide for a temporary <br />1 cent local sales tax for a period of 1 year if approved by a local referendum. The proceeds of this bill <br />would be divided among the County and its municipalities on either a per capita basis or on the basis of <br />ad valorem taxes levied, at the option of the County Commissioners. He expressed doubt if he would <br />support this effort. <br />In summary, the resolutions would reinforce the positions of the North Carolina Association of <br />County Commissioners on several important bills. House Bill 499 would authorize real estate trade <br />associations and Multiple Listing Services operated by real estate trade associations to enjoy an <br />exemption previously reserved only for the news media. House Bill 949 which the Orange County <br />Director of Social Services and the Orange County Health Director are opposed makes the confidential <br />records of certain deceased children public unless, at public expense, public agencies successfully <br />obtain a court order maintaining the confidentiality of the records. Senate bill 799 would require local <br />governments and State agencies to maintain open and accessible personnel files that include <br />information not now available to the public. Senate Bill 844 would require accounts of closed sessions of <br />public bodies that are authorized under North Carolina's Open meetings Law. Senate bill 518 would <br />authorize county Board of Commissioners to call for a referendum on a one cent local option sales tax <br />that could be in place for a one year period and Senate bill 469 is a local bill that would apply to <br />Cabarrus County that would authorize a referendum for a one per cent local option sales tax to be <br />imposed for a 10 year period, and/or a one per cent land transfer tax for a 10 year period to pay for <br />school construction. <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Brown, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to <br />support both resolutions as attached to these minutes on pages <br />VOTE: AYES, 4; NOS, 1(Commissioner Carey) <br />Commissioner Carey voted no because of his opposition to Senate Bill 518 as stated above.