Minutes - 05-30-2000 - Laserfiche WebLink

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On the Horizon The following are considerations far the budget in the near future: • In January 2001 the outcome of the four-year revaluation on all real properly will be available • The second sale of the 1997 bonds is anticipated • Start up casts for Smith Middle School and new Orange County High School • Solid waste facilities/program financing • Task forces are addressing: space needs of County government, how to be more innovative and efficient, and the consideration of locating a satellite campus of Durham Technical College in Orange County John Link pointed out that this was the first of two public hearings. The second public hearing will be Thursday, June 1, 2000 at 7:30 in the F. Gordon Battle Courtroom in Hillsborough. John Link said that he believes that the recommended budget addresses the Board's most important priorities and is balanced between the competing requirements of the County. PUBLIC HEARING John Herrera, a board member of the Central Latino, said that the doors of the center would be open on July 15t". He asked for the Board of County Commissioners' support of their request for $20,000. He said that this request was very frugal. He promised that there would be no increase in this request for next year. These services include education, English as a Second Language, activities for children, and technical assistance to County agencies in order to involve the Latino community. The services that they will be providing will be efficient and effective. Betsy Fenhagen, Chairperson of the AIDS Service Agency of Orange County, said that she was representing the Alliance of AIDS Services Carolina, which just merged with AIDS Service Agency of Orange County. They have submitted an application for $5,000 for funding for the coming year. They emphasized to the Commissioners that the Alliance HIU Prevention and Faith Ministries staff delivers sensitive and accurate age and culturally appropriate information to young people in Orange County that will help them avoid becoming HIV positive. She said that most high school students are under the impression that AIDS is no longer a problem. They have afaith-based operation. The intention of this proposal is to help with addressing one of the public health concerns stated by the Human Services Health and Safety Committee of the Orange County Citizen's Committee on Shaping Orange County's Future. She summarized the services offered by this alliance. She asked far the Board of County Commissioners' support for their request of $5,000. Florence Soltys, Chair of the Department on Aging Board, said that as of today there were 14,363 people in Orange County that were over 60 years old. Of that, there are 2,613 that are over 80 and over 700 people in institutions in Orange County. She said that by the year 2020, the number of people over 60 in Orange County would increase by 138°~. On behalf of the Aging Board she said that they are appreciative of John Link for the complexity of the budget. She thanked the Commissioners far funding and allowing 100 residents to participate in the development of the Master Aging Plan, which will be coming to the Board in August. She said that the Department of Aging Board was very appreciative of the amount set aside for the aging, but that they wish it were more. She pointed out that the budget for aging this year was less than 1 °~ of the County's total budget. Sheila Benninger said that she has had children in the Chapel Hill-Carrbaro City Schools over the last 15 years and she asked that the County Commissioners fund the request as presented by the Chapel Hill-Carrbora City School Board. She said that it is important to have high quality schools to keep and maintain. She said that the school board had already pared three-quarters of a million dollars from the budget proposed by the superintendent. She spoke in support of the state mandated wage increases for teachers, casts related to student growth, and increases in the local teacher supplement. Chris Moran spoke on behalf of the InterFaith Council and ABODE as a partner with other human service agencies. He said that in Orange County the human service agencies work very well together. He asked that the County Commissioners allocate one cent to affordable housing. He said that he