Minutes 06-13-2013 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Commissioner Gordon said the number is $1.86 million. Chair Jacobs suggested that the number be as exact as possible, so he feels the tax should be 1.86 cents. Commissioner Pelissier said she feels that the Board needs to figure out a target for how much is to be given to the schools, and then figure out how to balance between ad valorem and the district tax. She does not like a district tax, as it creates division in the County, but she realizes options are limited. She said she feels the amount needs to be looked at from the perspective of overall school needs and then funding devised by looking at the two different taxes. Chair Jacobs said his suggestion was for 1 cent, without raising the ad valorem. He said the money can be found through shavings from the fund balance, and OPEB allocations. He said there has been enough annually to cover this. He said that 62% of the $1.6 million would go to CHCCS and 38 percent would go to OCS. He said this would bring the total for CHCCS to around $2.7 million and OCS would receive $650,000. He said this would go a long way toward the issue of teacher assistants. Commissioner Dorosin suggested the full 2 cents be implemented on the district tax. Frank Clifton said he believes that, by taking a little bit from several pots, funding can be found without an ad valorem tax; however the school opening must be funded too, and this cannot be covered with that. Commissioner Rich said it is important to be able to open the schools that are built, and this should be included in the school's budget. Commissioner Rich said, when thinking about moving money around, the Board needs to keep in mind that this may be the last year without a tax raise. Frank Clifton said he feels it is fair to expect some type of tax increase in the upcoming year, especially given the recycling needs in the future. Commissioner Price said that it is important to remember that raising taxes puts the County at risk of losing residents who cannot afford to live here. Commissioner Pelissier said it is interesting to note that there is no issue with raising taxes for fire districts, so the same should be true for something else vital, like education. She noted that it is the high property and housing value that is driving people out, more than the taxes. Chair Jacobs said it is all about balance. Frank Clifton noted that the lottery fund allocation has never been fully funded, but has been siphoned off to pay for other things. He said this particular legislature seems more focused on punishing the towns. Chair Jacobs said there are two things on the table: 1) Increase in the District Tax, and 2) How much additional money to appropriate for schools. Frank Clifton said the County has $608,980 in the fund balance and needs to get to $1.86 million. Clarence Grier noted that the difference between the $1.86 million and $2 million is approximately $143,000. He said that, at a 2 cent tax, the total would be $2,058, 270. A motion was made by Commissioner Dorosin, seconded by Commissioner Rich to raise the CHCCS Special District tax by 2 cents. VOTE: 6-1 (Chair Jacobs) Frank Clifton said the next item is to move the unassigned appropriation of$608,000 from the general fund reserve to make a total of$1.6 million in additional funds that are to be split between the two school systems based on the ADM. A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Gordon to move the unassigned amount of$608,000 from the general fund reserve to make a total of