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thoughtful, positive, and to advocate raising taxes to solve the huge funding shortfalls. He said that it has been suggested that an increase of only $3Q per month, per household in property taxes would solve these short-term funding needs. He thinks that there is a much bigger issue. He said that there needs to be in place along-term financial plan that is beyond this cost. He suggested that for the year 2QQ8-2QQ9 and beyond that it would be inappropriate and inconsistent for the County Commissioners to begin the budget process each year by cutting programs, cutting services, and cutting teachers. He said that the promise of new funds from the real estate transfer taxes, state lottery, etc., are all integral components to a balanced long- term financial plan. He suggested obtaining an on-site consultant long-term to provide Orange County's current and ten-year projected financial needs and make recommendations that deliver excellence in education to bath systems. He said that there should be full financial disclosure on the website that clearly details sources and uses of funds. Robert Dowling, Executive Director of Orange Community Housing and Land Trust, thanked the County Commissioners for the past support. The Land Trust is anon-profit agency and provides affordable homeownership to citizens of Orange County. Most of the 125 homes in the Land Trust are located in the towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro. Land Trust homes are designed to remain affordable forever to serve future generations of low to moderate-income families. He said that they are one of the fastest growing land trusts in the country. He said that simply adding homes to the Land Trusts is little value if those homes are not well managed over time. In order to properly manage these properties over time, they need to hire a property manager. He asked for additional operating support from the County, specifically $39,QQQ. Adela Van Name read a prepared statement: "I am the Parent Chair of the Special Needs Advisory council for the Chapel Hill- Carrboro City Schools. I am also a parent of an EC child at Rashkis Elementary and two other children, one who attends Culbreth Middle and one who attends Chapel Hill High School. As chair of the SNAC committee, I am speaking on behalf of the affiliated EC population, which is well represented this evening by many parents of Exceptional Children. We have a difficult enough time keeping Special Education teachers with our current funding. If we were to reduce the amount of support these teachers have, our children will be at even greater risk. There is no room for any type of reduction or elimination of services that these cuts would insure. We are not working with any cushion or surplus. Two years ago, myself and another mom bought and donated leveled reading books for my son's classroom because there were none available for homework. That same year, as well as this year, my son's classroom ran out of paper bymid-April. Supplies can be donated, but how do you donate a teaching assistant or therapist? In closing, it would not be fair if I did not mention that all of our typical children deserve full funding for their educational needs as well. Please keep in mind, it is these children who will became our future leaders and whose compassion and understanding will build on our legacy as care providers for our EC Community. That legacy is our responsibility. Who should receive less of an education? The child who can't advocate for himself or the child that has to learn to advocate for everyone? I hope for the sake of all our children that you will fully fund the entire education budget for both school systems." Maria Romano is the Chair of the Transition Team far the Special Needs Advisory Council for CHCCS. She is also a parent of CHCCS children. She said that this past year her exceptional child's classroom was assigned to a trailer because of overcrowding. This trailer was not equipped with a bathroom or a covered walkway. She asked the County Commissioners to fully fund both school systems so that all children can get a proper education. Nancy Taylor said that her only financial asset is her home, and it is imperative to her that property values remain high if she can have any sense of financial security. She said that the reason Chapel Hill can demand such high prices on real estate is because of the reputation of the schools. She said that she will gladly come up with $2Q-5Q dollars more a month in taxes