Orange County NC Website
in November, then revenues can be recovered sooner. He does not think that there is anything <br />to lose because it can be put on the ballot as many times as the Board wants. He thinks that <br />bath of these items should be put on the ballot. <br />Commissioner Gordon asked why this was not put on the agenda. Laura Blackmon said <br />that it was on the agenda last Thursday and the Baard took no action. She apologized. <br />Chair Carey said that this item could have been on this agenda, but no one requested it. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said that he requested this at the August 21St meeting. <br />Chair Carey said that he is concerned about the lack of unanimity of putting one or bath <br />items an the ballot. He said that this discussion needs to take place before it is on the agenda. <br />Chair Carey said that, while the Board has an opportunity to put it on as many times as it <br />wants, he is not sure it should be put back on a ballot if it fails the first time around. <br />Laura Blackmon said that the concern of putting both issues on a ballot is that the vote <br />may be split. The other issue is that there have been some discussions from local <br />municipalities about them not getting anything, so that is another area where there needs to be <br />education. <br />Commissioner Gordon said that if the County Commissioners want to proceed, then she <br />would like to get pros and cons of the two taxes, a way to present the case about what has <br />happened to the County financially, a timeline for an educational campaign, and what happened <br />to Orange County in the legislature. <br />Chair Carey said that this should be treated as a bond issue and it should start now. He <br />asked far a draft plan at the September 19t" meeting. <br />^Reference: Attachment 4-9 - (North Carolina Association of County <br />Commissioners, Estimated Additional County Revenue Authority <br />5. Proposed 2008-18 Capital Investment Plan and 2008-09 Budget Timeline <br />Reference: Attachment 5- ~ -Fiscal Year 2008-09 Timelines and Milestones <br />Laura Blackmon said that she would make a presentation in October, the public hearing <br />would be in November, and it would be adopted in December. Implementation of the <br />ordinances could be in February or March 20Q$. This early implementation would help the <br />schools get started on summer projects while students are not in school. In the past, approval <br />was not until late spring. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said that this is tied in with the fund balance issue that needs to <br />be resolved. <br />Commissioner Gordon said that the general idea is a big improvement. Her concern is <br />that the tax rate is not set until June and both operating and capital budgets affect the tax rate. <br />If there is not an idea of what the operating budget will be when the capital budget is set, then it <br />will be difficult to manage. She would like to make a final decision a little later so that the <br />operating and capital budgets can be intertwined when the tax rate is set. <br />Laura Blackmon made reference to the budget process sheets and said that there are <br />some specific dates. She wants to add the school systems to some of this process so that by <br />January and February, there can be discussion about the budgets. She said that staff is looking <br />at setting up some work sessions in February through April so that the Board can give her same <br />direction similar to the direction that was given in June of this past year. She said that she does <br />not look at the Proposed Manager's Budget as something she creates and gives to the Board, <br />