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Commissioner Nelson said that using the ad valorem to fund the schools is more transparent and there is a perception in the community that having a district tax promotes inequity. He said that some people believe that they may pay a political price for increasing the tax rate, but he does not believe that is true. Laura Blackmon verified that this increase would be 2.5 cents over the 3.7 cents. Chair Carey said that he would not support this. A motion was made by Chair Carey to increase the district tax by 2 cents. Commissioner Foushee said that she is not prepared to vote on this yet. Donna Coffey went through the needs of the schools. OCS needs $1.785 million and CHCCS needs $4.35 million, which is $6.135 million. There is already $1 million in the budget, which takes it to $5.135 million. The savings just approved by the Board total $834,000, which brings it to $4.301 million. If the school systems use fund balances, this would total $2.258 million. This leaves $2.043 million, which is 1.6 cents above the recommended 3.7 cents. Commissioner Gordon said that she wants to give the equivalent of 2 cents on the district tax on the ad valorem, which means that OCS will get mare and CHCCS will still receive an increase. Commissioner Jacobs said that the fund balance appropriations were based on the assumption of cuts plus a '/ cent additional increase on the property tax and a 2- cent increase in the district tax. At this point, the Board took a break. Break 10:09 pm Back 10:18 pm 5. Budget Decisions Donna Coffey said that included in the Manager's Recommended Budget is $999,466 for current expense. The County Commissioners have saved $834,000. Another'/ cent would bring $624,000. The total of these three pieces is $2, 457,000. Of that, CHCCS would get about $1.4 million and OCS about $1 million. This equates to a $133 increase in the per pupil. To give CHCCS the 2-cent equivalent of the district tax on the ad valorem, it would give CHCCS $1.6 million additionally. This would require an additional allocation to OCS of $1 million. These two added together would be $2.6 million in addition to the '/ cent and the savings, which is the equivalent of another 2.2 cents on the ad valorem tax rate. This would be a 6.4-cent increase. A motion was made by Commissioner Foushee, seconded by Chair Carey to raise the ad valorem by 4.7 cents and the CHCCS district tax by 1.5 cents. Donna Coffey said that this would give CHCCS $1,290,000 and OCS $810,000. The district tax would generate $1.2 million. This is in addition to the Manager's Recommended budget. VOTE: Ayes, 3; Nays, 2 (Commissioner Jacobs and Commissioner Nelson) Commissioner Nelson asked about the decision far the lottery money. A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Chair Carey to allow 50°~ of the lottery funds to be budgeted in 2007-08, with the remaining to be budgeted in arrears. Staff will come back to the Board with more information. VOTE: UNANIMOUS