Orange County NC Website
Commissioner Nelson said that he believes that there is not a clear rationale articulated <br /> for a 60-40 split, other than it is a formula similar to what is used in a different set of <br /> circumstances. Laura Blackmon said that this is a new additional revenue source that is being <br /> put into the pot, and the pot is split the same. <br /> Geof Gledhill said that if the Board adopts the resolution, it will say what Commissioner <br /> Nelson is saying —the County would be earmarking 40% for parks. <br /> Commissioner Gordon made reference to the "Now, Therefore, Be it Resolved" <br /> statements and said that she envisioned that when they went to the voters, they would tell the <br /> voters some of the actual under-funded projects. She thinks that these statements would <br /> confuse people because it does not state what will be done in the near future. <br /> Donna Coffey said that this issue is part of the package for the next Board of County <br /> Commissioners' meeting. <br /> Commissioner Gordon said to hold this discussion until tomorrow night. She wants to <br /> tell the voters exactly what this funding is going to be used for. <br /> Commissioner Carey said that it would be a terrible mistake to start changing the capital <br /> funding policy just because there is a new revenue source envisioned. He said that 40% in the <br /> past has not just been parks. He said that the parks may consume most of the 40% funds, <br /> because they are expensive. At some point, the County will have caught up on park <br /> development and then it will free up funds for other projects. Until that time, the Board should <br /> keep its 60-40 policy. <br /> Commissioner Foushee said that the immediate concern is acquiring the additional <br /> revenue stream, and in order to do that, the Board has to ensure that the public understands <br /> that the County will spend any acquired funds on the immediate schools and capital needs. The <br /> trend is that when the funds are not there, the park projects and others are pushed outward in <br /> the capital plan. She said that the public needs to understand how the County will spend the <br /> funds. The 60-40 plan is simply an internal direction to staff to know how to move the monies <br /> when they are acquired. She thinks that it has been communicated clearly that the Board plans <br /> to spend this money, if acquired, on school and park projects. To change the policy now does <br /> not serve the Board well. <br /> Chair Jacobs said that he made a list of park projects— Twin Creeks, another phase of <br /> the Northern Park, another phase of the Fairview Park, Blackwood Farm, another phase for <br /> West Ten (tennis and playground components), second phase of Julia Blackwood Farm, Kirby <br /> property, McGowan Creek Preserve, and Seven Mile Creek Preserve. He said that it will be <br /> awhile before the County depletes the needs for park development. He said that he agreed with <br /> Commissioner Gordon in that they need to talk about these projects so that everyone <br /> understands that they have a stake in this new revenue source and that there is a benefit to the <br /> public. <br /> Commissioner Nelson said that he is not advocating a change in policy, but he views <br /> what is in the resolution as a change in the policy because of how it plays out in the practical <br /> sense —that parks would be getting 40% and that is not what they are getting now because <br /> there are other projects. He wants to avoid a change in policy and he wants a rationale for the <br /> 60-40 that's proposed. <br /> Commissioner Foushee said that she does not see the County using the 40% for only <br /> park projects over a number of years. <br /> Commissioner Gordon said that she does not see any disconnect between what they are <br /> all saying. She said that she just wants to list the projects that would be funded. <br /> Chair Jacobs asked Donna Coffey to flag the most appropriate projects to mention as <br /> needing immediate funding. <br /> Laura Blackmon said that the resolution specifically states parks and she is not sure <br /> what the process would be if it needed to be changed. <br /> Commissioner Foushee said that it should follow the first statement of the resolution that <br />