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6 3. Public Comment Joyce Kuhn, Director of Pre-Trial Services said that this program assists the Clerk of Court and on bond matters and the State has supported this. She thanked the County Commissioners for their local support. Bob Schriever read a prepared statement. "The Chapel Hill Public Library Board of Trustees is happy to represent the Chapel Hill Town Council this evening. We thank you for your budgetary support, for the library studies and planning that you have encouraged, and for the clear messages that libraries are important. Your continuing support of the Chapel Hill Public Library ensures quality library services for a large proportion of the citizens of Orange County who use the CHPL even though they live elsewhere in the County (45°I° of registered borrowers}. The final report of the Orange County Library Services Task Force in 2004 recognized that the population of the County as a whole values education and is supportive of library services. The task force recommends a number of improvements in Orange County library services, which we endorse. Among the many good recommendations is recognition of the Chapel Hill Public Library `as a significant partner in the provision of library services to the County.' We believe that support for all public libraries in Orange County is not on par with support for the schools and that Orange County support for the Chapel Hill Public Library is not proportional to the level of use by Orange County residents who live outside Chapel Hill. We appreciate your past responsiveness. Sustained and increased funding for libraries is key to preserving Orange County's educational excellence. The Chapel Hill Public Library is embarking on a significant building expansion project as a result of a $16.3 million band referendum that Chapel Hill citizens voted for by a margin of 3-1. The Chapel Hill Town Council is also actively working towards improved library services and has included a second children's librarian in its proposed budget for 2006-07. Chapel Hill Public Library has the highest per capita circulation in the state, and it needs more books. The modest goal is 4 books per capita, an increase from the current 2.7 books. Much of the support from the County in the past has gone to the book budget and the book processing costs necessary to get the books on the shelves and maintain them in good repair. The CHPL would like to add as many as 9,300 more books that the present facility could hold with modest shelf extensions. We request that the County increase the amount it has been providing to the Chapel Hill Public Library by 4°lo in the 2006-07 year. Thank you far your continued support for libraries and education in Orange County." Karl Knapp has two children in McDougle Elementary and Middle Schools in CHCCS. He asked the County Commissioners to raise his taxes to pay far his children's education. He said that the per pupil increase recommended for this year is not adequate for the schools, it barely covers the mandatory cost increases that both systems are facing, does not provide money to open the new schools, and it provides no funds for improving the quality of education without cutting into the existing services of the schools. He works as a State employee in Raleigh and he chooses to suffer the I-40 commute every day in order to have a community behind him supporting his kids with education, a community that is willing to spend money on education in the same way that he is. He is willing to back up the commitment to education with money by paying higher taxes. Annie Cramer spoke in support of fully funding the CHCCS's budget and the world language teachers in particular. She said that the school system has proposed to cut $50,000 worth of funding for cultural art supplies. She said that the two teachers that teach world language at Seawell Elementary provide so many benefits to the students. She said that they serve as vital links to their Hispanic community. She said that statistics predict that in Orange