Orange County NC Website
Commissianer Halkiotis made reference to the orange sheet and asked how under <br />spending in County operations could result in savings of $250,000 to $375,000. Jahn Link said <br />that it was not a specific line item, but the anticipation that we will spend 98°~ of the budget instead <br />of 100%. Donna Dean confirmed this and said that it was based on the historical spending <br />patterns. It is very unlikely that we will spend 100% of our total budget. <br />Commissianer Halkiotis asked John Link if he expected Orange County to have hiring <br />freezes, freezing of travel and conference monies, and abandoning of temporary positions. Jahn <br />Link said that he did not foresee this for the rest of this year. He said that he was concerned about <br />sales tax revenues for the rest of the year. <br />John Link listed items, which could be postponed or reduced to continue on in these areas <br />with the fewest negative consequences. The items are as follows: <br />• Postpone the contribution to the affordable housing fund <br />• postpone the contribution to the school/park reserve fund <br />• postpone remaining purchases of computer equipment, and <br />• not send the recurring capital allotment to each school system for one month <br />These four items could generate $885,000 cumulatively. <br />Chair Jacobs asked about the '/ cent sales tax and confirmed what would happen if it were <br />enacted. It would take effect in July 2003. It would generate approximately $500,000 mare for <br />Orange County than we were getting for inventory and intangible tax funds. <br />Commissioner Brown asked about the replacement schedule for personal computers and <br />Rod Visser said that we are in the fourth year of replacing personal computers. <br />Commissioner Brown questioned the $250,000 contribution to the Affordable Housing fund, <br />which is an the list of potential ways to offset further deficits. <br />Commissioner Brown said that it was not right that the State is not willing to tax citizens for <br />the services it provides, but that it expects the counties to da so. <br />Chair Jacobs asked that John Link give the County Commissioners a list of the positions <br />that the County Commissioners have talked about adding far this next year. <br />Jahn Link made reference to the handout, which lists those items that may be reduced for <br />next year to help offset the potential loss of state revenues for FY 2002-2003. He read the items <br />and the maximum amount that could be achieved by reducing the items. This is an the blue sheet <br />in the agenda packet, which is incorporated herein by reference. <br />Commissioner Brown asked if Jahn Link has had any discussion with the two school <br />systems on the seriousness of this potential lass of State money and John Link said that he plans <br />to meet with them next week and let them know of the impacts of this potential loss. <br />Commissioner Gordon agreed that recurring capital is vitally important to bath school <br />systems. She feels it is important to bring bath school systems into the discussion sa they are <br />aware of the impact. <br />Chair Jacobs said that it would be important to include a cover memo to the school systems <br />reiterating that the impact an the schools is much less than the impact an County operations. <br />Commissioner Carey said that when John Link shares this with the school systems, he <br />should ask if they have recommendations on where the cuts should came from instead of the <br />Board dictating where cuts are made. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis encouraged John Link to consider bringing in positions from the <br />various departments under one umbrella in the IT (Information Technology} department. <br />Commissioner Brown would like to have included in the letter to Governor Easley some <br />comments an Mental Health and the impacts of that restructuring at the State level an the County. <br />Commissioner Gordon asked that for every new position recommended that the space <br />requirements for that position be listed. <br />