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Last summer, the County issued $17.4 million of the 1997 voter approved bonds. This represents two cents of the proposed tax rate increase. This budget does not include increases in cast-of-living, in-range salary increases, or meritorious service awards for County employees. It also postpones the implementation of the Countywide Classification and Pay Study until fiscal conditions improve. The County has funded a projected 18% increase in employee health insurance. The proposed budget includes $250,000 to fund the increases for salaries far Deputies, Telecommunicators, and Paramedics. This is a result of the Public Safety Study, which implemented a 5% retention salary increase. The proposed budget provides $12,000 a month far three months to continue the transportation contract with the Orange EMS and Rescue Squad. The staff will examine options and develop recommendations regarding EMS transportation beyond October 1, 2002. Solid Waste Enterprise Fund The Rogers Road neighborhood waterline has been installed. The recycling drop-off center at Carrboro Plaza is complete. The proposed budget includes four additional staff positions to bring the multi-family recycling service in-house. There are two new positions associated with the County's recent adoption of the Regulated Recyclable Materials Ordinance. There will be no increase in the per ton tipping fee for mixed solid waste. The top priority for the upcoming year is to evaluate alternative financing mechanisms to supplement the fund's traditional revenue structure. On the Horizon There will be increased debt service for the first installment of the Board's approved debt-financing plan. It is important to implement the County Classification and Pay Study. There are also start up and construction costs associated with Elementary School #9. A continued high profile item far the County will be development and implementation of the OPC Mental Health business and financial plans associated with State mandated mental health reform. There will also be a major reworking of the County's comprehensive land use plan, and joint park and recreation facilities will be developed. The budget document is available in the office of the Clerk to the County Commissioners, the County Budget office, the Orange County Library, the Chapel Hill Public Library, the Carrboro Library, and some portions are available an the County's Internet site, which is www.co.oran eg nc.us. Chair Jacobs made reference to what is on the horizon for Orange County and said that the social safety net will no longer be in place. Also, there will be as big a budget hole next year as the one this year. He said that when the County Commissioners approve the budget far schools, they approve specific capital items and an operating budget. The programming decisions are made by the school boards, not by the County Commissioners. He asked the public to please keep this in mind when making their comments. He asked that the public keep their comments to three minutes. 2. Public Comments Leigh Zalean spoke in support of daycare. She is a private childcare consultant. She has seen children have better lives because of quality childcare. Tomorrow, there will be a campaign called Stand for Children. This will be a march down Franklin Street. She hopes that the County Commissioners' support will continue. Teresa Smith, with Childcare Services, is the Director of Family Support. She thanked the County Commissioners for putting up a $40,000 challenge grant and hopes that the County Commissioners will repeat this challenge. This money helped 31 children and 25 families attend 12 high quality childcare programs in Orange County. Over half of the children who were helped were under the age of two; 19°~ of them lived in Hillsborough, Mebane, or Efland; 77% were in single-parent families; 74% were working; and the others found employment within a month after getting scholarship assistance. Fifty-four percent of the families served had incomes less than $15,000 a year. She encouraged the County Commissioners to set aside the $40,000 again because the need is great in Orange County. They currently have over 300 children waiting for scholarship help far childcare; 29% of the children waiting are under the age of two; 55°~ of them are in families that are working; and another 26°~ of those families would be working if they had scholarship assistance.