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VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />DD. SECTION ONE BEAVER VALLEY - PRELIMINARY PLAN <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Brown, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to approve <br />the Preliminary Plan for Section One Beaver Valley cluster subdivision per the Planning Board <br />recommendation. <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />KK. TRIANGLE COMMUNITY GRANT PROPOSAL <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Brown, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to approve <br />this request to apply for a Triangle Community Foundation grant to carry out two current initiatives of the <br />Agricultural Districts Advisory Board. <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />9. ITEMS FOR DECISION -REGULAR AGENDA <br />NOTE: The County Commissioners did not discuss these items in the order listed in the agenda. They are <br />listed below in the order they were discussed. <br />C. NOTICE OF INTENT TO FILE APPLICATION WITH THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT <br />COMMISSION FOR NOVEMBER, 1997 BOND REFERENDUM AND DISCUSSION OF BOND <br />REFERENDUM <br />Discussion ensued on the bond issue. Commissioner Gordon made reference to the elementary <br />school for Orange County Schools. Based on the statement by Superintendent Harrison, she feels that this <br />system needs a high school more than an elementary school right now. She said that one possibility is to <br />take money going for the elementary school, and use it for the high school so that the high school would be <br />fully funded. Private placement could be used later for the elementary school, as the commissioners <br />previously agreed, so that it would be built when it is needed. The bond referendum would include $12.5 <br />million for the high school and also money for renovations. Other funds including impact fees, state monies <br />and state bond money could be used. The total bond referendum for Orange County Schools would be <br />$18,295,983. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis said that this is saying that it is okay to put children in a school that is 45 <br />years old. This plan would penalize the Orange County Schools' superintendent because he had a vision to <br />use an old school for a year round school. He is against this proposal because it shortchanges the kids in the <br />northern end of the County. He supports the original proposal. <br />Commissioner Gordon clarified that this was a suggestion to maximize the use of facilities and <br />financial resources. She understands that the elementary school does need to be replaced, and it would be <br />when needed. The year round school is a good use of this facility and a good use of funds. However, since <br />Dr. Harrison had stated that the current elementary school could be used for 7 to 10 years, it was better <br />financial planning to fully fund the high school rather than to provide only one half the funds. <br />Commissioner Carey thanked Commissioner Gordon for putting this proposal on the table. The <br />high school is the highest priority. The enrollment figures for the high school proves this out. We all <br />recognize that the County School system should not be penalized because of the County Schools vision to <br />use this older school for a year round school but we need to take into consideration the impact this bond will <br />have on the public. We have to keep in mind those people who cannot bear a rise in taxes. <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Brown, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to include in <br />the bond package the amount of $47 million for schools. <br />VOTE: AYES, 3; NOS, 2 (Commissioners Carey and Gordon) <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to approve <br />the Notice of Intent as attached to these minutes on pages <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS