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20 <br /> 1 1 was pleased to see that staff has indicated concern about the squeeze that increasing <br /> 2 maintenance for aging buildings puts on the school budget. Aging buildings and teacher exodus <br /> 3 are two symptoms which underscore the need for the county to make changes to the way that <br /> 4 school funding is handled — both at the county and district level. <br /> 5 <br /> 6 In targeting a minimum of 48% of county property taxes to the schools, the county has assured <br /> 7 its residents that schools are a top priority however, as county staff points out, the impacts of <br /> 8 changing conditions such as increased maintenance needs for aging buildings or decreases in <br /> 9 state funding for teacher pay, put squeezes on those monies. <br /> 10 <br /> 11 Adherence to the 48% target combined with the yearly "dance" between the school boards and <br /> 12 commissioners over funding clouds the picture — making it hard for parents, in particular, to <br /> 13 advocate for anything other than a tax increase. <br /> 14 <br /> 15 It is understandable that county commissioners are reluctant to have a say in how school <br /> 16 monies are spent; however, as the ones who hold the purse strings, I believe you have a <br /> 17 responsibility to ensure that the monies we entrust you with covers two basics: <br /> 18- - Adequate, well-maintained school facilities <br /> 19- - Well-paid, experienced teachers (salary policy not specific teacher salaries) <br /> 20 <br /> 21 Neither building maintenance/repair nor teacher salaries should be at the mercy of changing <br /> 22 conditions, the desire for new programs etc... I look to you to make that clear in the budgeting <br /> 23 and funding process. <br /> 24 <br /> 25 Not only will this ensure that our children have adequate facilities and good teachers, but it will <br /> 26 also facilitate a more transparent discussion between parents and school leaders about how <br /> 27 remaining monies are being spent and what school needs are. <br /> 28 <br /> 29 Capital Expenditures <br /> 30 Question: What is included in the $150,000,000 in capital expenditures for schools in years 6— <br /> 31 10? <br /> 32 Question: Is there a section in the budget which projects increased operating and maintenance <br /> 33 costs associated with new facilities over the next five to ten years? <br /> 34 Request: Create a facilities plan and timeline which combines school and other community <br /> 35 needs so that <br /> 36- - Decisions related to the county's debt capacity are transparent <br /> 37- - Spending reflects priorities and needs first <br /> 38- -Taxpayers are not blindsided with tax increases to operate and maintain these facilities <br /> 39 <br /> 40 Until our county begins to see the benefits of economic development, costs of new facilities <br /> 41 (schools, community centers, improvements to the Southern Human Services center, a new jail, <br /> 42 libraries, parks) will have to come from taxpayers. It is important that the community understand <br /> 43 these decisions in terms of priorities and trade-offs. It's also important, particularly in the case <br /> 44 of the schools, that we begin to understand the cost to all of us when we use "equity" rather <br /> 45 than "need" as a reason for capital spending. <br /> 46 <br /> 47 Solid Waste: <br /> 48 Pending creation of a cohesive plan for recycling, please do not approve purchase of roll carts <br /> 49 or additional trucks for unincorporated residential service. <br /> 50 <br /> 51 Thank you for your consideration. <br /> 52 <br />