S ORD-1996-021 Operating Budget Ordinance for Fiscal Year 1996-1997

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Commissioner Willhoit mentioned that he is disappointed with the composition of the committee. A lot of the people are from Chapel Hill Township. At least two of the additional people are human service providers of nondepartmental agencies that the County funds. He said that one of the challenges is to get people who didn't apply to apply to serve on this task force. Commissioner Crowther, a member of the Shaping Orange County's Future Task Force, said that he feels the committee did the best they could. They tried to recommend representatives from all areas of the County. A motion was made by Commissioner Crowther, seconded by Commissioner Gordon to appoint Rhonda Pope, Carole Crumley, Susan Prothro Wortley and Linda Foxworth as recommended by the SOCF Steering Committee. VOTE: UNANIMOUS IX. ITEMS FOR DECISION - REGULAR AGENDA A. 1996-97 BUDGET ORDINANCE John Link made reference to a memo he distributed which outlined the preliminary assessment by the two school systems concerning the impacts that the General Assembly's failure to adopt an expansion budget for 1996-97 may have on the funding picture for each system. He spoke with Superintendent Bill Harrison of the Orange County School District who indicated that the savings from not funding the local teacher match of the anticipated 5% salary increase will more than offset the other funding needs that the State budget for 1996-97 does not include at this time. With regards to the Chapel Hill/Carrboro School system, Superintendent Neil Pedersen reported that the savings in their budget will adequately provide for needed new classroom teachers and assistants. Areas that apparently would not be fully addressed include some support positions and supply/materials accounts that are determined by ADM on a formula basis and amounts to about $120,000. Commissioner Gordon distributed a proposal that would add 0.4 cents to the district tax rate which would yield $130,364. The revised district tax rate would be 19.4 cents. Commissioner Willhoit stated that it seems to him that covering this shortfall from the fund balance would be appropriate. He feels that the legislature will be called back in session, either this summer or in November or January. Commissioner Gordon asked about the possibility of releasing a certain portion of impact fee revenue expected in the current year to address some of the technology or high school needs. John Link stated that he has written to Neil Pedersen and indicated that if they need to move quickly with the use of the $220,000 that they pursue an amendment to their CIP on how that revenue needs to be changed. The CIP can be amended at any time. Commissioner Gordon suggested putting $120,000 in a contingency account to cover this shortfall to be used in case the legislature does not reconvene. Chair Carey stated he feels also that the Governor will reconvene the legislature. He said that he feels that the budget recommendation that the Board asked the Manager to develop, assuming the use of some fund balance if the legislature does not reconvene, will address the needs that they tried to address with the budget. A motion was made by Commissioner Willhoit, seconded by Commissioner Crowther to approve the following action: (A copy of this budget ordinance is attached to these minutes on pages to adopt the County Capital and School Capital Project Ordinances to adopt the 1996-97 Grant Project Ordinances to adopt the 1996-97 Salary Schedule to be effective July 1, 1996 to adopt the revisions to the Personnel Ordinance to adopt the County Fee Schedule VOTE: UNANIMOUS B. REQUEST FOR IMPACT FEE REIMBURSEMENT/EXEMPTION Housing and Community Development Director Tara Fikes presented for the Board's consideration a request from First Centrum Corporation requesting exemption or reimbursement of$186,000 in school impact fees. First Centrum Corporation is planning to build a 123 unit apartment complex for the elderly