Minutes - 09-24-2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

APPROVED 1 11 612 0 0 2 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO BOARD OF EDUCATION September 24, 2001 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met in joint session with the two school boards at 7:30 p.m. at the Southern Human Services Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Stephen H. Halkiotis and Commissioners Margaret W. Brawn, Moses Carey, Jr., Alice M. Gordon, and Barry Jacobs COUNTY ATTORNEY PRESENT: Geoffrey Gledhill COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager John M. Link, Jr. and Clerk to the Board Beverly A. Blythe (All other staff members will be identified appropriately below} CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Nick Didow, Teresa Williams, Gloria Foley, Elizabeth Carter, Valerie Foushee and Superintendent Neil Pedersen ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Brenda Stephens, Susan Halkiotis, Dana Thompson, Keith Cook, David Kolbinsky and Superintendent Randy Bridges, NOTE: ALL DOCUMENTS REFERRED TO IN THESE MINUTES ARE IN THE PERMANENT AGENDA FILE IN THE CLERK'S OFFICE. Chair Halkiotis asked for a moment of reflection as a result of the horrific events of September 11t". He reminded everyone that the issues tonight are not life and death situations. This is a land of abundant resources. Chair Halkiotis asked that the County Manager and the two superintendents work to set dates for the bus tour of County and school facilities. He made a commitment to spend a Saturday to tour facilities to see the needs of the County and the Schools. He thinks this sends a powerful message to the community. Also, the Board needs to discuss whether ar not we want to move ahead with the bond referendum. 1. COUNTY/OCS/CHCCS DISCUSSIONIPOLICY ISSUES a. Bond Education Campaign County Manager John Link made reference to attachment 1 a-1, which was the agenda for the first meeting of the Bond Education Committee. He distributed a copy of the meeting dates for the subcommittee meetings that are scheduled. This Wednesday, September 26t", the Bond Education Committee will share information on why the monies generated from the bond referendum are needed. We are on target and ready to move forward with the education campaign. Chair Halkiotis said that there have been concerns raised by members of the Bond Education Committee as to whether or not the County should move ahead with a bond referendum in November, taking into consideration the events of September 11t" and the condition of the stock market. Jahn Link said that one option is to delay the sale of the bands once the bond referendum is passed in November. The sale of the bonds can occur whenever the timing is right. We have seven years in which to sell the bonds and can request the LGC for an extension beyond that time. Obviously the decision has to be made as to whether ar not the issue will be on the bond referendum ar not. Commissioner Carey feels that if we delay the bond referendum it is exactly what the terrorists want us to do. He feels we should do everything we can to mitigate the impact of the bond for the citizens in Orange County. He would encourage us not to delay the bond or put it off to another time. He feels we need to plan ahead in case the economy takes a turn downward Chair Halkiotis feels we need to move ahead and have staff put some planning thoughts in writing with respect to a priority order, maybe extending the bonds for a longer period of time to spread out the impact on the tax rate.