Agenda - 10-15-2013 - 5a - Laserfiche WebLink

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18 1 Commissioner Dorosin suggested the full 2 cents be implemented on the district tax. 2 Frank Clifton said he believes that, by taking a little bit from several pots, funding can 3 be found without an ad valorem tax; however the school opening must be funded too, and this 4 cannot be covered with that. 5 Commissioner Rich said it is important to be able to open the schools that are built, 6 and this should be included in the school's budget. 7 Commissioner Rich said, when thinking about moving money around, the Board needs 8 to keep in mind that this may be the last year without a tax raise. 9 Frank Clifton said he feels it is fair to expect some type of tax increase in the 10 upcoming year, especially given the recycling needs in the future. 11 Commissioner Price said that it is important to remember that raising taxes puts the 12 County at risk of losing residents who cannot afford to live here. 13 Commissioner Pelissier said it is interesting to note that there is no issue with raising 14 taxes for fire districts, so the same should be true for something else vital, like education. 15 She noted that it is the high property and housing value that is driving people out, more than 16 the taxes. 17 Chair Jacobs said it is all about balance. 18 Frank Clifton noted that the lottery fund allocation has never been fully funded, but has 19 been siphoned off to pay for other things. He said this particular legislature seems more 20 focused on punishing the towns. 21 Chair Jacobs said there are two things on the table: 1) Increase in the District Tax, 22 and 2) How much additional money to appropriate for schools. 23 Frank Clifton said the County has $608,980 in the fund balance and needs to get to 24 $1.86 million. 25 Clarence Grier noted that the difference between the $1.86 million and $2 million is 26 approximately $143,000. He said that, at a 2 cent tax, the total would be $2,058, 270. 27 28 A motion was made by Commissioner Dorosin, seconded by Commissioner Rich to 29 raise the CHCCS Special District tax by 2 cents. 30 31 VOTE: 6-1 (Chair Jacobs) 32 33 Frank Clifton said the next item is to move the unassigned appropriation of $608,000 34 from the general fund reserve to make a total of $1.6 million in additional funds that are to be 35 split between the two school systems based on the ADM. 36 37 A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Gordon to 38 move the unassigned amount of $608,000 from the general fund reserve to make a total of 39 $1.6 million in additional funds to be split between the two school systems, based on the 40 ADM. 41 42 43 VOTE: UNANIMOUS 44 45 Commissioner McKee said he feels the comments made about the inevitability of a tax 46 rate increase are true. He said there will be no way to continue services, even on a minimal 47 basis, at the current rate. He said he hopes to avoid an ad valorem tax increase this year. 48 He gave several examples of local residents who are struggling to pay taxes on their property 49 each year. 50 Clarence Grier suggested, for simplicity sake, that the amount be raised to $686,587 51 to make an even $81 for the (ADM). 52 53 A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Pelissier to 54 raise the per pupil allocation (ADM) for each school district to $81.00 55