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<br />flexibility to choose from where the $1 million additional required funding would came." He said <br />that he said nothing about this flexibility. He said that he trusts the school board. He suggested <br />engaging in a more rigorous discussion about fund balances. He said that he is concerned that <br />fund balances magically melt before they get to the school budget requests/discussions. He <br />does not feel comfortable with the $5.5 million fund balance and he does not know how it got <br />there. This is four cents on the tax rate. He would like to flag this now and make it a <br />transparent process. <br />Jamezetta Bedford said that two years ago the fund balance was very low and they cut <br />expenditures, under spent, and ended up saving more than they wanted to and in the end had <br />an extra $1 million that was not allocated. In between times, it is difficult to know exactly where <br />they stand, because of the governmental accounting. She said that the board does scrutinize <br />its funds, and there is no intention to spend down fund balance on non-recurring expenditures. <br />She said that far the next two years the fund balance will be low. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said that it has been a long time since there was a discussion <br />about the fund balance percentages for the school districts and what the target should be. He <br />suggested questioning the assumptions. He said that he wants all to understand where the <br />money is going and where it came from. <br />Jamezetta Bedford said that CHCCS has already value engineered almost $690,000, so <br />she does not expect much from the third bullet on the recommendation. She is hesitant to <br />support this. <br />Commissioner Gordan asked for clarification on the third bullet. <br />Chair Carey said that the targeted fund balance that was agreed upon many years ago <br />is significantly lower than the 5.2% that CHCCS had in one of the lower fund balance years. He <br />agreed with discussing this issue again. This level of fund balance (4.5 cents of taxpayer's <br />money) concerns him also. He also has questions about the value engineering part. He wants <br />to include this in the approval process this time to see if there are any additional savings. <br />Laura Blackmon said that the intent is not to slow down the process. There can be <br />change orders during construction. <br />Commissioner Faushee said that her concern is that this item be approved at this <br />meeting. She wants to come to some agreement and move forward with these <br />recommendations. She thinks that what the Manager has suggested is reasonable. <br />Jamezetta Bedford asked what happens if the two teams disagree -Jeff Thompson and <br />the school board. She does not understand how the process would work and haw it would keep <br />moving forward. Commissioner Foushee said that, within a finite amount of funding, there has <br />to be an agreement on haw it is going to move forward. <br />Steve Scroggs said that, at this time, changing square footage in the project would be a <br />roadblock. However, fixtures, furniture, and equipment have not been bid yet. The footprint of <br />the building cannot be changed. He said that late value engineering, at best, is 50 cents on the <br />dollar. <br />Chair Carey said that the County Commissioners understand this. <br />Commissioner Gordon said that if the Board of County Commissioners approves a <br />certain budget, and the school board stays within the budget, then the school board is <br />responsible far carrying it out, and for completing the project in a fiscally responsible way. <br />Chair Carey said that the County Commissioners have tried to keep this project moving. <br />He said that he had reservations about approving this school when the same school was built at <br />$14 million only four years ago. He said that just because the Board approved $24 million does <br />not mean that all of it should be spent. He hopes that some value engineering will save some <br />money. <br />Commissioner Jacobs agreed with Chair Carey. He said that his view to resolve <br />differences is to talk about it and work it out. He said that he does think that there is value in <br />having a fresh set of eyes as this project moves forward. <br />