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Work Sessions - June 9t" at Southern Human Services Center June 14t" at Government Services Center June 16t" at Southern Human Services Center Work Session/Adoption -June 20t" at Southern Human Services Center Final Adoption - June 23`d -Southern Human Services Center Document Availability ^ Clerk to Board of Commissioners ^ County Budget Office ^ Orange County Library ^ Chapel Hill Public Library ^ Carrboro Library ^ Cedar Grove Library ^ Orange County Website {portions of document): ^ www.co.orange.nc.us 3. Public Comment Commissioner Jacobs said that a lot of citizens in this County serve as volunteers on advisory boards, and he appreciates people volunteering their wisdom on the budget. He recognized the staff that was in attendance to speak about the budget tonight. He encouraged all people that speak tonight to contact their State legislators. The State crafts its budget in secret, and the counties only see the results. One example is that half of a cent of the County's tax increase is for increased cost of Medicaid. North Carolina is now the only state in the United States that requires counties to pay for Medicaid. Five cents on the cigarette tax would freeze the cost of Medicaid increases for North Carolina. There are some counties that spend more on Medicaid than on education. He said that Orange County would do its best with the resources that it has. Lori Carter Edwards spoke on behalf of Cameron Park Elementary School. She is an Associate Professor, and they are interested in increasing the opportunities for having a science teacher at Cameron Park. She said that North Carolina ranks in the middle far academic achievement, but last year it ranked four states higher. Cameron Park has demonstrated success by being a school of excellence. She said that she understands the need of putting the money in first so that you can see what comes out later. One of the goals for Cameron Park is to establish itself as a math and science magnet school. They need a science teacher in order to reach this goal. She said that she and her husband are constantly seeking the best academic and social environment for their son and his peers. They desire to keep the resources in the community. Bab Schreiner is Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Chapel Hill Public Library. He was representing his board and the Chapel Hill Town Council. He thanked the County Commissioners for their ongoing budgetary support, for the library needs studies that have been conducted, and for the clear message conveyed that libraries are important in Orange County. He said that the Chapel Hill Public Library provides library services far many Orange County residents that are not Chapel Hill residents - approximately 45%. The County's contributions offset costs for this. He said that one of the speakers at the last budget public hearing was recorded in the press to have stated that our school systems are the jewel in the crown of Orange County. He agrees with