Minutes - 06-20-2000 - Laserfiche WebLink

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inappropriate expenditure of citizens' money. He asked about the public communication study and if there had been any money appropriated for it. Rod Visser said that no one had money set aside at this time. He said that there was still a high level of interest for the public communication study. Commissioner Jacobs said that the County had $25,000 set aside for the study and asked if anyone else had funds set aside. Rod Visser said that he talked with Nick Waters today and there was a request for proposal far the study. He said that they were really looking at ways to achieve some partnerships within the County. Commissioner Gordon made reference to the letter from the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools and said that she feels the concerns should be addressed. She would like to make a motion tonight to appropriate the same amount {$235,000) for Smith Middle Schaal next year. Commissioner Halkiotis said that he stated before that anything that was done for Orange County Schools for new schools this year would have to be done for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools next year. Commissioner Gordon feels that the Board should state now that they are going to give $235,000 for the start-up costs of Smith Middle School and make a commitment. John Link made reference to the letter from the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools and said that the Board of County Commissioners has the authority to appropriate funds per capital notwithstanding the statute that governs the distribution of the ~l-cent sales tax. Beyond that, every Board of County Commissioners can determine what their policies will be in appropriating funds to school systems. The Orange County Board of Commissioners has traditionally had the policy to allocate funds on aper-pupil basis. He said that because Chapel Hill-Carrboro has more students, the appropriation is larger. He made reference to the policy that is referred to in the letter that is being suggested that the Board is going against, and said that the school standards that were adopted several years ago made reference to a one-time appropriation for one-time start-up costs. He pointed out that the Board of County Commissioners made the policy and it can administer or change the policy. He emphasized that the Board had latitude to amend the policy. He feels strongly that the Board made the right decision last week. He encouraged the Board to stick to the decision of appropriating $235,000 to the Orange County School system for start-up costs for Pathways Elementary School. A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon to appropriate funds of $235,000 for the opening of Smith Middle School for the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School system. Chairman Carey feels the Board should reserve that decision till the time arises. His responsibility is to meet the needs of all of the children in the County and he is sticking to his decision from last week. He said that he did not knave what resources the County would have next year or future years. He said that history shows what this Board's commitment is to the schools. Commissioner Gordon clarified that she does support the decision to appropriate funds to the Orange County School system. She was only saying that the Board should look favorably on allocating money for start up costs to the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School system. She said that she was not criticizing the Orange County School system. Commissioner Halkiotis said that he heard the Manager say clearly that this was the Board's policy and the Commissioners can do what they want. He said that he would support Smith Middle School getting money for start up costs when it comes on line if needed. Commissioner Jacobs agrees in principle with Commissioner Gordon and said that the Board was operating in good faith. He commended both Boards of Education for using sound reasoning and good judgement to reduce their budget requests. Chair Carey made reference to the COLA and asked the Board's pleasure on this amount. A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to have a COLA of 2.75°lo across the board and set aside the $62,000 and ask staff to come back in late summer with several scenarios to appropriate that money to address the salary pay grade of the lowest paid employees on the pay scale and use a small amount to address the compression issues of the next highest pay level.