Minutes - 20060120 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

system. Geof Gledhill said that this is talking about municipal roads and this is not directed toward construction of state roads and this is principally to help with city roads. Chair Jacobs said that when Geof Gledhill does look into general statute 153a-331 that relates to the municipalities, it might be simpler to ask for a change in that statute and instead of saying "roads" say "public transportation". Commissioner Halkiotis asked staff to fallow up on what it would cost Orange County government to keep the OPT system running if all outside funding dried up. Chair Jacobs said that if they do joint planning with other jurisdictions, he would like to explore other avenues within their purview. For example, Chapel Hill, Durham, and Raleigh are talking about wanting to raise the sales tax to help pay for public transportation. Orange County has not signed onto this, but they could explore it. Geof Gledhill said that he would look at this. Commissioner Gordon agreed with talking about other sources of revenue. She said that this is a regional conversation that needs to take place. Chair Jacobs asked Geof Gledhill to speak about where the County stands with payment-in- lieufar parks. Geof Gledhill said that the County does collect payment-in-lieu funds all the time and the money goes to the individual trust accounts set up for the parks system. The issue is that it is difficult to justify on a house-by-house basis because it is a small amount of money. Craig Benedict said part of the Tischler study was to examine the existing level of service that Orange County now has with parks and trying to set a standard that new development would adhere ta. The first phase of the Tischler study was reviewing the level of service standard now in place and the projected level of service based on commitments the County is making. Tischler said that if the County's level of service commitment hits a target for the facilities coming online, the development community could be held to a payment-in-lieu to match this standard. The funds far the last stage of the Tischler study were pulled out of the budget, so it is in limbo right now. They will suggest the last phase in the upcoming budget. Chair Jacobs said that he would list this as an additional expense that may appear in this year's budget. He said that he keeps thinking about all the 300-unit subdivisions that Mebane is putting in Orange County's jurisdiction. All of these people will be coming to Orange County for services. Passible Establishment of, and Charge to, Budget Committee: Commissioner Carey asked about the role of this committee. John Link said that he suggested taking the management team and including one or two Commissioners, sharing where they are with the budget during the upcoming months, and sharing minutes of these meetings with the rest of the Board. Commissioner Halkiotis said that the budget process should be improved over last year. He does not want to come dawn to the third week in June and still be getting handouts, new numbers, etc. He said that he was receiving information late last night and they need to improve the delivery system of materials. He said that they need to relate to schools and the citizens soon what the County can and cannot afford. He said that a committee could speed up the process but he does not want to be on it. Commissioner Carey agreed with Commissioner Halkiotis about the delivery of information. He said that the issue is how the County Commissioners can all stay up to date. He thinks that the Board needs to be the budget committee as a whale. He is wondering what the budget committee would contribute that goes beyond the priorities the Board sets. He wants to set some clear priorities. Commissioner Gordon agreed that the budget process should be improved. She is willing to work with anyone as early as possible. She said that the difficulty is getting information too late and they need to move the process up. She said that the statutes say that the school boards get information to the Board by a certain date and the Manager has to give his recommended