Minutes - 20070531 - Laserfiche WebLink

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County is 65 cents, Wake County is 63 cents, and Orange County is 90.3 cents. He said that the commercial tax base in Orange County is almost nil - 14°l0. Durham County has 44%, Mecklenburg County has 35%, Guilford County has 35°~, and Wake County has 49°~. He said that this problem should have been eliminated a long time ago. He said that the over-zealous environmentalists have had this County closed down. He sat on the Board of County Commissioners in the mid-80's. He said that the Department of Commerce told him that Orange County had the most potential in the state of North Carolina for good, clean, high-paying economic growth. He said that, as of today, nothing has materialized. He said that recently he met with an economic development representative of the State, who was told not to worry about Orange County because it does not want economic development. He said that he had children in OCS and he believes in as much education as they can afford. He said that, if the desires of the tax proponents are carried out, many will not be able to live here. Eric Davis has children in OCS. He said that he is saddened but motivated by what is needed. He said that the County Commissioners have a difficult job. He said that the County Commissioners can use their heads or hearts. He said that, for himself, education breeds prosperity. He said that his mom raised four children by herself, but she did what she could to make sure education was a priority. He said that any decision that takes away from the educational process will be a detriment to the community. He asked the County Commissioners to fully fund the OCS budget. Pam Seamans is a CHCCS parent. She said that the existence of Meadowmont shows how the County has changed over the years. She is PTA President of Rashkis and they fully support full funding of the two school systems' budget requests. She said that the County Commissioners deserve thanks for what they do. She said that many choose to live in Orange County for the quality education, but because they have to come each year and speak, then maybe the Board of County Commissioners does not value education. Her school is four years old and is overcrowded already. She said that they are willing to pay for education. Bryan Hampton is a parent of OCS children. He thanked the Board of County Commissioners for the historic dedication to education. He said that this was the major part of the decision to move to Orange County. He said that this is the reason that the homes have such a high value and that some new businesses are moving to the downtown area. He asked the Board of County Commissioners to support education in any way possible. He said that his taxes are 40% less than what he was paying in Connecticut. He said that he does not mind paying higher taxes for education. He said that by maintaining the per pupil, and due to the contracts they have with teachers, this will not cover the costs. At Cameron Park, the facilities are deplorable, but the teachers are great. Tammy Neese is parent of OCS special needs children. She said that her children would not be where they are today without these special needs teachers. She is here to advocate full funding of the OCS budget request. Gayanne Chambless thanked the County Commissioners for this public forum and she appreciates the position they are in. She said that Orange County is one of the best in the State far balancing the quality of life -residential, commercial, and green space. She said that a 3.7% budget increase for the County will not even begin to meet the needs of the school children. OCS has not ever been fully funded and this has had effects. She said that there is no fat on the budget because they have never been fully funded. She said that now the school system is talking about cutting staff and programs. She said that you have to get the money where the money is and spend it where it is needed -the property tax. She is on a fixed budget but she is willing to make sacrifices to pay higher taxes. She said that in the year's past, the schools have only been given a Band-aid. She distrik-uted Band-aids to the County Commissioners. Robert B. Nichols said that he has been asking himself what he gets for his tax dollars. He has been paying taxes in Orange County since 1948. For the last ten years, the County has