Minutes - 06-07-2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Cindi Chamberlain, parent of a student at Hillsborough Elementary School, is in support of Superintendent Bridges' proposed budget. She asked that when the County Commissioners are in their budget discussions that they make good choices for the children. Martha Stucker, the nurse representative on the Orange County Board of Health, thanked the Board of County Commissioners for their support. She spoke about three critical areas of need in the Health Department. 1. Assistance for the citizens with limited English proficiency. There are 4,945 people of Asian descent and 5,273 people of Hispanic-Latino descent in Orange County. The Health Department projects that it will see 500 clients this year with limited English proficiency, most of whom will be Spanish-speaking. The dental clinic has a waiting list because there are only two days per month scheduled for Spanish-speaking people to have appointments. 2. Increased costs of providing clinical services to residents who cannot access other health care services in the area. The cost of pharmaceuticals has increased as well as lab services. 3. Request of an increase of two part-time positions to full-time status, and that two other positions in the dental health also be increased. Sharon Van Horn, a member of the Orange County Board of Health and a pediatrician, advocated for three Environmental Health Specialists positions. The first position is in the Wells and Waste Waters Program. This position will allow for more one on one time and assistance to citizens that may have difficulty understanding the requirements of the siting and installation of septic and well systems. This program is currently only 61 °~ self-supporting. The Board of Health is recommending fee increases to recover approximately 90°~ of the cost of the program so that the net cost to the County for adding this position will be minimal. The cost will be borne by the people using the services. Fees will be increased if the new positions are approved. However, if the Board of County Commissioners does not fund the extra positions, she will advocate a reduction in fees to the clients because the services they will be receiving will not have improved. The second position being requested is for an Environmental Health Program Specialist for the Food, Lodging, and Institutional Inspection Program. It is estimated that over 40°~ of a family's food budget is spent in restaurants and on carry-out foods. She ran out of time and did not finish her presentation. She said that she wished we lived in a world where money did not determine health, housing, ar education. Kate Wilder, a veterinarian representative on the Board of Health, spoke in support of the Animal Control division of the Health Department. She said that the standard of services is high and consistent. One of the major needs is the re-siting and redesign of a new animal shelter for Orange County. The lease of the current shelter expires in 2007. She urged the County Commissioners to carefully consider all of the needs of the Health Department as they make their final determinations. Shelton McCray and Arne Johnson were signed up but were not present to speak. Diane Rocker spoke in favor of the school budget. She is a parent of two children. She said that it was important to fund Pathways Elementary so that they can operate at 100°~. She urged the County Commissioners to carry through on their commitments. Tina Farmer spoke in support of the Orange County schools budget. She volunteers 25 or more hours a week at an elementary school. She feels it is best for the students and teachers to have small class sizes. She is baffled about why the school budget is going to be cut because she will be paying more taxes this year in Orange County. She said that any builder will tell you that you cannot cut corners on the building of a foundation. Education forms the foundation. She asked the County Commissioners to please put on some "long-term vision" glasses and think ahead 25 years and think about who will be running things then in the County. She thinks it is in the best interest of Orange County to have the best possible education for the children.