Orange County NC Website
000174 <br /> Kenneth Thompson reiterated the long range capital plans for the County. <br /> These are listed on pages 139-143 of the 1985-86 budget document. Totals <br /> between now and 1991 will be 21--million which does include schools but does <br /> not include the expansion of the court facilities. <br /> Commissioner Marshall noted that not only will revenue sharing be cut <br /> next year but other federal cuts will be forthcoming for Social Services and <br /> other departments. There are many federal mandates that must be met. <br /> BREAK <br /> Chair Willhoit addressed the question of the school capital reserve. <br /> It is very clear that the needs of the schools far exceed the amount on the <br /> priority list and this list will continue to grow each year. The roofEs on the <br /> second priority list will also need to be addressed. <br /> Chair Willhoit summarized the two proposals: <br /> (1) $718 per pupil <br /> 1/2 cent increase in the property tax for current expense <br /> 2 cent increase in the district tax <br /> 2-1/2 cent increase in the property tax for capital <br /> or <br /> (2) instead of the 1/2 cent increase to take the money from the <br /> County's capital reserve or from the fund balance. <br /> Commissioner Lloyd proposed the following adjustments to the markup list: <br /> (1) Social Services - delete $3,000 for the word processor <br /> (2) Aging - delete the I/R position <br /> (3) Home Health Agency - no funding <br /> (4) Art School - no funding <br /> (5) Planned Parenthood - no funding <br /> (6) Women's Center - no funding <br /> (7) OPC Mental Health - Manager's recommendation <br /> (8) Library - C.A. - Manager's recommendation <br /> (9) Library - O.C. - Manager's recommendation <br /> (10) JOCCA - Manager's recommendation <br /> (11) Rape Crisis - Manager's recommendation <br /> (12) Battered Women - Manager's recommendation <br /> He recommended no increase in the property tax and indicated that a balanced <br /> budget could be accomplished if the schools could live with the proposed <br /> increase in current expense and back away from the capital improvements <br /> increase. <br /> Commissioner Walker indicated that he voted for the 1/2 cent local sales <br /> tax increase to avoid raising the property taxes at a later date and he will <br /> not support any further tax increase. <br /> Chair Willhoit indicated that at the time the 1/2 cent local :tales tax <br /> was approved it was very evident that it would not meet all the capital needs <br /> of the schools and that other sources of revenue would be needed. <br /> Commissioner Carey stated that the schools have been pushed to the limit <br /> of what their budgets can endure and he supports the recommendation as stated <br /> in the July 3 proposal. <br /> Motion was made by Commissioner Walker to make the cuts that Conissioner <br /> Lloyd suggested and move the adoption of the budget for the schools going with <br /> Don Willhoit's proposal and fund the budget from 3/4 revenue sharing and a <br /> part of the County reserve with no property tax increase. <br /> Chair Willhoit restated the motion to adopt the July 3 proposal as <br /> modified by Commissioner Lloyd but use the Orange County capital reserve <br /> rather than a tax increase to fund the budget. <br />