Minutes - 04-24-2000 - Laserfiche WebLink

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John Link said that the revisions would be circulated to the County Commissioners within the next 8 to 10 working days for comment. He will share the same draft with the school superintendents. 4. SCHOOL FUNDING OPTIONS TASK FORCE REPORT Chair Carey made reference to the letters included in the agenda abstract from Nick Didow, Vice Chair of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Board of Education and Susan Halkiotis, Chair of the Orange County Board of Education. He asked for feedback from the County Commissioners on the draft report from the School Funding Options Task Farce. Commissioner Gordon said that both Boards of Education expressed concerns about separating capital and operating budgets. She asked how this concern was going to be addressed. Chair Carey said that this was discussed and there were strong feelings both ways, separating the two budgets or combining capital and operating budgets. The preliminary decision of the two County Commissioners who participated on this committee was to consider these two budgets together. He feels it would be difficult to separate the capital and operating budgets because of the impact on the County's budget. Commissioner Gordon asked how the Board would address the bond referendum. She asked if the bond referendum would be put in a separate category. She asked if the spending from the bond monies would be treated any differently. Chair Carey said that when voters approve a bond, he is not sure if the voters assume that their taxes will be increased. Commissioner Halkiotis said that in 1988, 1992, and 1997, the majority of the people in this County showed their support for the bond issues. He feels that the County Commissioners need a plan for facilities from now to 2025. He said that old buildings require more maintenance and cost more money. There was also bond money for technology that was approved. He said that it is very expensive to keep up with the technology in the schools. He said that the schools do not need any more mandates put on them. He feels that the per-pupil funding should be based on how many students shave up and not on projections. He asked that the County Commissioners take into consideration the technology casts that the schools are experiencing. Chair Carey made reference to the benchmarks on the bottom of page 5 and the top of page 6, which is the foundation for any final recommendations from the Draft Report. The process calls on the Board to finalize the recommendations tonight and adapt the plan on May 3rd. Commissioner Gordon said that she feels that both school systems are worried about the separation of operating and capital budgets and addressing mandates. John Link said that whatever recommendations are made to the Boards of Education should be straightforward so that the citizens and the school boards know what is expected. A final recommendation on the School Funding Options Task Force Report will be brought back at the May 3rd meeting. 5. INSTRUCTIONS Tc_) COUNTY 11dANAGER REGARDING PREPARATION OF PROPOSED 2000-2001 FISCAL YE.aR BUDGET Chair Carey suggested that the budget be presented with no tax increase, none-cent increase, atwo-cent increase, and athree-cent increase. Commissioner Jacobs asked for additional information on how these scenarios could be achieved. He made reference to the fee schedule of the Planning Department. Chair Carey made reference to his suggestion that a committee do a comprehensive study of the level of library services the County Commissioners want to offer the citizens in Orange County before the County Commissioners consider expansion of existing services. He said that if the Board agrees with this, a proposed charge and composition will come back to the County Commissioners next month. Commissioner Halkiotis said that he agrees with the suggestion of doing a comprehensive study of library services.