Minutes 06-06-2013 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Commissioner McKee asked for clarification on the County's fund balance. Paul Laughton said the projected number for June 30th keeps the balance right at the 17% goal and policy. Commissioner McKee asked at what point this number would adversely affect their credit rating. Paul Laughton said the policy is reviewed by the LGC very carefully. He said that if the percentage falls just a little it may not have an effect in the short term, but it may affect the long term. He said the main concern is not to jeopardize their AAA rating. He said the desire is to stay at the 17%. Commissioner McKee asked what 1% on fund balance will equal in dollars. Paul Laughton said 17% puts the number at $32 million in fund balance. He said the Board needs to be mindful that revenues don't come in until later in the year, and that fund balance is used to pay monthly capital to the schools and to pay bills. Commissioner McKee said that the 17% represents 3 months of revenue, and Paul Laughton agreed. Commissioner Price said that part of the reason the budget is decreased is the nutrition services number. She noted that the school board is requesting $37,800 and the county recommendation is $8000. She asked what will happen with this. Paul Laughton said this is the school system's budget, not the County's. Patrick Rhodes said no cuts are being made to school nutrition services. He said there were some changes made in Federal appropriation to reflect that, and this means less local funding has to be appropriated. Steve Halkiotis said their child nutrition is self sustaining and has been showing a profit for the past several years. Chair Jacobs referred to the $900,000 to replace teacher assistants and compared this to Steve Halkiotis' mention of a certain number of teacher assistants that could be replaced. He asked for clarification on whether this is included in the $900,000. Vice Chair Halkiotis said the board is simply looking at scenarios in order to hold on to their teacher assistants, even if it means cutting hours. He said efforts are being made to keep these assistants employed. Commissioner Rich left at 7:59. Durham Technical Community College (DTCC) Penny Gluck said there is no formal presentation, but she and Robert Keeney are here to answer questions. She said there is a lot of excitement about the higher enrollment at their Orange County Durham Tech campus. She said enrollment is up by over 74% this year, and there has been an 83% increase in curriculum course offerings. She said DTCC is here this evening to ask for a modest increase Robert Keeny brings greetings from Durham Tech's President Ingram, who was unable to attend. Commissioner Price said she had attended the graduation ceremonies at DTCC and the excitement was remarkable. She said it is evident that a lot of good work is happening. Chair Jacobs said the Board is very pleased to have a DTCC campus in Orange County. Chair Jacobs asked about the page number order and why this is not in alphabetical order and with page numbers. He noted page numbers for the remaining discussion items. Paul Laughton said elected officials are usually listed first, and then it should go in alphabetical order after that, with a few exceptions.