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APPROVED 9/17/2013 <br /> MINUTES <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING <br /> May 30, 2013 <br /> 7:00 p.m. <br /> The Orange County Board of Commissioners held a Budget Public Hearing on <br /> Thursday, May 30, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. at the Southern Human Services Center in Chapel Hill, <br /> N.C. <br /> COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Barry Jacobs and Commissioners Mark <br /> Dorosin, Alice M. Gordon, Earl McKee, Bernadette Pelissier, Renee Price and Penny Rich <br /> COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: <br /> COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT: <br /> COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Frank Clifton, Assistant County Managers <br /> Clarence Grier, Michael Talbert and Clerk to the Board Donna Baker (All other staff members <br /> will be identified appropriately below) <br /> Chair Jacobs called the meeting to order at 7:01 pm. <br /> 1. Opening Remarks from the Chair <br /> Chair Jacobs reviewed the following items at the Commissioner's places: <br /> - Copy of a Statement from Miriam Thompson <br /> - Copy of a letter from CHCCS <br /> - Letter from Chapel Hill Outreach Training Center <br /> Chair Jacobs said this is a recommended budget only. He noted that the Board of <br /> County Commissioners is not proposing a cut in school funding; but the state legislature is <br /> making cuts to school funding. He said the Board of County Commissioners does not approve <br /> individual programs to the schools. The Board gives a per-pupil amount per school system, and <br /> the school system makes the decisions on how the funding is dispersed to various programs. <br /> 2. Presentation of County Manager's Recommended FY 2013-14 Budget <br /> Frank Clifton said if the Board of County Commissioners were to decide to increase <br /> funding to the schools or any other county services, there is always the option of raising the <br /> countywide tax rate. He said that each one cent on the tax rate generates $1.6 million. He said <br /> that if this is done, and the money goes to schools, it is split based on the number of schools in <br /> the school systems. He said that the Chapel Hill Carrboro City School District (CHCCS) has a <br /> separate district tax. He noted that the proposed budget has about$650,000 in discretionary <br /> funds. He said that schools may also use a portion of existing school system fund balances. <br /> Frank Clifton noted that there are some debt issuances that lie ahead for the county. He <br /> said the county maintains a funding reserve of 17%. This roughly equates to 3 months of <br /> operating activity within the county. He said this is important, since the state lags 2-3 months <br /> behind, and the county is spending in advance of that. He said the County is near or at debt <br /> capacity. He said the Local Government Commission (LGC) is beginning a process to <br /> standardize the policies and procedures. He said that this will mean a little less discretion on <br /> how the County handles debt. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin arrived at 7:13 pm. <br /> Clarence Grier presented the following Power Point slides: <br />