Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
Commissioner Jacobs said that he would like to have a discussion with the school <br /> boards because this is only dedicated to facility improvements of older schools and <br /> improvement of technology. He said that if the State requires the schools to provide new <br /> buses, there is no money for that. <br /> Frank Clifton said that the wording is from the last referendum. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs suggested wording it, "capital projects that are not new schools." <br /> He wants to offer more flexibility than the present wording. <br /> Chair Pelissier suggested adding this to the agenda of the joint meeting with the school <br /> boards. <br /> Commissioner Yuhasz said that he was comfortable with putting it for school capital <br /> needs. <br /> Commissioner Hemminger said that you have to specify technology, because that does <br /> not fall under capital needs. She suggested the wording, "capital needs, including technology." <br /> Commissioner Gordon agreed with it not being for new capital needs. <br /> Commissioner McKee said that he is going to operate on the premise that he is going <br /> to be committed to finding the economic development money to make it work in the worst case <br /> scenario, if this does not pass. <br /> Commissioner Yuhasz agreed with Commissioner McKee. <br /> Michael Talbert said that originally the '/4-cent sales tax was supposed to be on the <br /> April 19th meeting. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs suggested adopting this in principle, pending a discussion with <br /> the school boards. <br /> Frank Clifton said that it would be fine to pass a general resolution on the split of the <br /> money, indicating that more specifics would be forthcoming. <br /> The Board agreed. <br /> Commissioner Gordon suggested putting the ten-year commitment into the "Now, <br /> therefore, be it resolved," section. <br /> 3. 2011-12 Budqet Drivers <br /> Frank Clifton distributed a handout on a workmen's compensation claims summary. <br /> There is less than $100,000 in claims for Orange County this year. This is remarkable. A lot <br /> of this is related to solid waste and some positive changes that have been made. <br /> Financial Services Director Clarence Grier said that, based on what was done last year <br /> as far as the budget, the glass is half full this year. The expected budget is $176 million. <br /> There are two issues for the budget this year. The first is that the NCACC will not the <br /> underwriter for the health insurance plan anymore and it is anticipated that health insurance <br /> rates will increase 15-25%. Also, the State may decide to pass on the housing of <br /> misdemeanants to the County. He went through the increases: <br /> - Employee and Retiree Health Insurance increases — up to 25% $1.7 million <br /> - Jail Fees — potential loss of revenues (misdemeanants) 1.8 million <br /> - Misdemeanant expenses added 1.6 million <br /> - Total budget impact (4 cents on the property tax) $5.1 million <br /> Clarence Grier said that he was prepared for the health insurance issue, but not the <br /> misdemeanants. <br /> Frank Clifton explained the misdemeanant housing further. <br /> Frank Clifton said that, unless the County Commissioners want to wipe out an entire <br /> County department, this new expense for housing misdemeanants will require a tax increase. <br />