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Don O'Leary said he had been disturbed by websites, such as the republican and <br /> democratic websites, as well as by television, which seem to want to strip citizens of their <br /> rights. He asked the Board to take the Constitution into consideration at all times. <br /> b. Matters on the Printed Agenda <br /> 3. Petitions by Board Members <br /> Commissioner McKee said a public citizen asked that Board members speak more <br /> clearly into microphones when speaking. <br /> Commissioner Pelissier noted that House Bill 148, which allows the half cent transit tax, <br /> calls for a housing plan around transit stations. She said this could only be developed by the <br /> town of Chapel Hill. She had a discussion with Town Council Member Ed Harrison, who <br /> agreed that it would be a good idea to petition to ask the Town of Chapel Hill to start working <br /> on this plan and keep the Board of Commissioners informed of the process. <br /> Chair Jacobs said this would be referred to agenda review. He noted that one station is <br /> at the Friday Center, which is UNC's property; and if the other spot is at Meadowmont, there is <br /> a robust housing plan already in place. <br /> Commissioner Pelissier said it is important to make sure it is a housing plan that <br /> everyone is aware of. She said that Durham has initiated this in their county and has had <br /> special meetings related to housing and transit. <br /> Chair Jacobs encouraged Commissioner Pelissier to help draft a letter from the Chair to <br /> the Mayor of Chapel Hill. <br /> 4. Proclamations/ Resolutions/ Special Presentations <br /> a. Presentation of Manager's Recommended Fiscal Year 2013-14 Annual <br /> Operating Budget and 2013-18 Capital Investment Plan <br /> The Board received the Manager's Recommended Fiscal Year 2013-14 Annual <br /> Operating Budget and 2013-18 Capital Investment Plan. <br /> Frank Clifton said Clarence Grier will give a detailed overview of the presentation. <br /> Frank Clifton noted that the one cent on the countywide tax rate equals about $1.6 million, and <br /> the current tax rate is 85.8 cents. He said that one cent on the CHCCS tax school district will <br /> generate $1 million, and the current tax rate is 18.84 cents. <br /> He said the number 1 priority for the county is schools, with almost 50% of county <br /> funds allocated here; number 2 is human services, with 16%; number 3 is Public Safety, with <br /> 11%; environmental, cultural and recreational have 5%; and the remaining 18% goes to all <br /> other county government functions. He said the school systems requested 10% more than <br /> was budgeted in 2012-13, and the recommended manager's budget does increase school <br /> funding by 2.8%. He said all of the County's growth and revenues from local tax base for <br /> fiscal year 2013-14 are budgeted toward education. He said this budget is $6 million short of <br /> the combined requests of two school boards. <br /> Frank Clifton said there are several considerations when looking at this budget and the <br /> first is the flat growth rate in Orange County. There is no evidence to support optimism that <br /> this will change in the next five years. He said federal and state budget decisions affect more <br /> than just education. He said increasing tax rates affects individual taxpayers, small <br /> businesses, and home ownership and rental opportunities in the county. <br /> Frank Clifton said that taxes in the proposed budget remain at current levels, with the <br /> exception of increases requested by fire departments. <br />