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fraction of an additional school psychologist position that is in the budget might not come <br />to be. He is willing to pay more taxes as long as the money is used wisely. Education <br />reduces the need for public assistance or incarceration in years to come. He asked for <br />full funding of bath school systems' requests. <br />Kate Sanford said that last year, the County Commissioners committed $100,000 <br />to pick up children in the Orange County DSS waiting list. She thanked them for making <br />a difference in the lives of 46 children. She wants to be a voice far children that are still <br />on the waiting list in Orange County. She made reference to a public opinion poll <br />conducted in April 2005 by Peter D. Hart that found that voters, both democrat and <br />republicans in North Carolina, strongly favor expanding existing early education <br />programs to serve all children under the age of five. The Economic Impact Study of the <br />childcare industry for June 2004 also reinforces the importance of quality childcare in <br />generating income for the County and helping to prepare young children for the <br />opportunities in the new economy. She said that $500,000 would shorten the time <br />families are waiting far help with childcare. These funds will keep the working poor <br />employed with their children safe and well nurtured. She said that the dollars spent an <br />subsidy is a preventative measure to the costs that are often incurred when low-income <br />children cannot benefit from ahigh-quality early childhood education. <br />Eddie Huffer is a senior building maintenance mechanic with Public Works. He <br />said that they Public Wark employees are talented and dedicated, and are essential to <br />the County's operation. The amount of work they do has increased, and they have <br />fewer employees to do the job. They do not mind the hard work, but some of them have <br />not had a raise, other than a 2°I° cast-of-living increase, since 2003. They have also <br />seen new employees coming in at salaries equal to or greater than some employees <br />who have been employed with the County far a long time. This has hurt morale. The <br />cost of living has risen and many are working more than one job to make ends meet. He <br />asked the County Commissioners to support the Manager's recommended pay and <br />benefits budget, including a 2.5% cost-af-living increase, a 2.5% in-range salary <br />increase, and an increase in 401 k contributions. <br />Pam Anderson spoke on behalf of families on waiting lists far subsidies far child <br />care programs. She said that the people on these waiting lists are contributing members <br />of the community. Some people on the waiting lists are even childcare providers. At her <br />center, which is a five-star program, the average pay for the lead teachers is $13/hour. <br />This is $2,253 a month before taxes. Infant care casts $1,195 a month. This means that <br />53°~ of a lead teacher's income would go to childcare. She spoke about the benefits of <br />high quality childcare. If families do not have local support systems, then they will be in <br />crisis. They will no longer be financially contributing members of the community <br />because the community will have to support the family. She thanked the County <br />Commissioners far the money put forth last year. She asked them to fund the childcare <br />subsidy program again. <br />Eric Hoefler is a rising senior at Cedar Ridge High School and has been a <br />member of the marching band far the past three years. The first year, the marching <br />band had only 21 members. This past year, there were 92 members and next year they <br />are expecting 115 members. He feels that his experience in the marching band has <br />been an influential part of his education and life. He said that Cedar Ridge and Orange <br />High Schools' band programs have struggled to equip the members with the needed <br />uniforms, equipment, and instructional staff. The band students and parents have done <br />as much as possible to keep up with the financial demands needed to keep the <br />programs operating. Next year both programs will have more band members than they <br />have equipment and uniforms. This is unacceptable to them. He asked the County <br />Commissioners to approve the Superintendent's budget in full. This will give the band <br />