Orange County NC Website
Commissioner Halkiotis said that it has always been the intention to increase the <br />population of Hillsborough Elementary School by 100 students, with renovations to the <br />bathrooms and ramps for handicapped accessibility. He said that it has also been mentioned to <br />move Support Services to another place (i.e., Orange High School). <br />Chair Jacobs asked about the possibility of phasing in the renovations with $450,000 <br />allocated this year and the other $450,000 next fiscal year and suggested that the County <br />Manager and the Superintendent discuss this possibility. <br />Commissioner Gordon feels that the expansion for 100 students could be postponed <br />because the Elementary School enrollment in Orange County schools has dropped and there <br />are 800-900 vacant classroom spaces. She would like to delay the Support Services renovation <br />and the displacing of 38 people and the building of the Central Office addition. <br />John Link suggested that since this is all alternative financing, that the Board leave <br />$650,000 in the budget this year and carry over the $1 million to 2003-04. <br />Rod Visser asked and Finance Director Ken Chavious said that the plan is to use the <br />High School for security for the alternative financing for 2002-03. The following year they could <br />use the administrative building as security for the financing. Ken Chavious feels that the plan is <br />doable. <br />Commissioner Carey suggested talking with the superintendent before finalizing the <br />above plan. He agreed with moving the $1 million forward to 2003-04. He would like to ask the <br />superintendent what his plan would be for phasing and what happens to the 38 people. He <br />would like this information by the next meeting. <br />Commissioner Brawn said that she felt the County Commissioners supported the <br />Hillsborough Elementary School expansion. She does not understand why it is dependent upon <br />the renovation of the administration building, which is a much lower priority. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis said that there are 38 support staff people at Hillsborough <br />Elementary School who need to be placed at another location because that space would be <br />used for classrooms to accommodate 100 additional students. <br />Commissioner Gordon made reference to the $1.65 million for expansion of the Central <br />office and said that she felt that this was not a high priority and that the entire project could be <br />deferred instead of deferring one half one year and one half the next year. <br />John Link said that the County Commissioners must adopt project ordinances before <br />any project will go forward. These can be delayed or moved forward as the Board wishes. <br />Tonight the County Commissioners are being asked to approve thresholds for each project. <br />Chair Jacobs said that if the County Commissioners are okay with the plan that has <br />been presented for capital projects, the details could be worked out later. <br />Commissioner Gordon suggested addressing only those projects planned for fiscal year <br />2002-03 and to work on future year projects at a work session later this year. She said that <br />there are issues with parks and open space, which have not been resolved. She feels that it is <br />not necessary to work all of this out tonight. She said that she is hesitant to change the <br />financing plan far parks. She is not sure about the ramifications of delaying the band money for <br />some of these parks. She agrees with the allocations as specified for fiscal year 2002-03. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis noted that it would take 20-24 months to build a middle school, <br />16-20 months for an Elementary School and 24-28 months to build a high school and about <br />one-year for other construction projects including renovations. <br />3. Adjustments to Individual Capital ProiectAllocations <br />Chair Jacobs read from his handout. He said that he changed it from the last meeting <br />based on conversations outside the meetings. His suggested plan would reduce the Manager's <br />recommended tax increase from 4.5 cents to 3 cents. He said that the County Commissioners <br />must make cuts totaling $805,000 just to match the $3.1 million that the State is withholding. If <br />