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30 <br /> 1 tax increase. The bond followed by a property tax revaluation could have disastrous effects on <br /> 2 already struggling real estate markets and economic development initiatives. <br /> 3 <br /> 4 You have already heard our concerns about the county's outdated park plans - yet these parks <br /> 5 continue to show in the county's capital plan. Plus, there's nearly $20 million planned for <br /> 6 expanded offices on Revere Road, Southern Human Services, and at the new Blackwood Farm <br /> 7 Park. While none of these projects are bad in themselves, given the needs at many of our <br /> 8 aging schools, the timing couldn't be worse. <br /> 9 <br /> 10 We also remain concerned that the county and school boards have not fully vetted the school <br /> 11 capital requests or attempted to place them on a timeline. For example, OCS doesn't need <br /> 12 $30 million for HVAC systems this year. Over time, these expenses will be quite manageable. <br /> 13 Similarly, spending millions on new offices for both school districts shouldn't be a priority - <br /> 14 especially given the surplus of lower priced office space throughout the county. Reliable <br /> 15 heating, roofs and mold-free schools are a priority and should be funded now. <br /> 16 <br /> 17 There's growing concern about CHCCS new plan for a centralized pre-K. Many believe it will <br /> 18 exacerbate challenges that low income families already face with transportation and getting <br /> 19 their kids to school. We believe that a plan to increase pre-K at every elementary school would <br /> 20 be better aligned to the community's priorities for poverty and the achievement gap. That will <br /> 21 require more planning. <br /> 22 <br /> 23 Of course this is in addition to the uncertainty around the impact of development, aging and <br /> 24 lack of affordable housing on school enrollment growth. As you know, enrollment at both <br /> 25 school districts is relatively flat. If this continues, it will slow the need to expand schools. <br /> 26 <br /> 27 The county's conservative revenue accounting is also creating problems. County revenue <br /> 28 projections do not factor in expected revenue increases from growth - even though town <br /> 29 leaders are rapidly approving new commercial and residential projects. That, plus the county's <br /> 30 repeated surpluses ($7.5 million just last year), could fund essential school maintenance. <br /> 31 <br /> 32 Reshuffling of county and school projects - and assuring high priority projects are funded first, <br /> 33 would go a long way to free up funds for essential repairs and maintenance. There are other <br /> 34 options to contain or defer spending on non-essentials. If better planning is not enough, <br /> 35 commissioners always have the option to increase debt and raise taxes without voter approval. <br /> 36 <br /> 37 <br /> 38 Please vote against pursuing a ballot referendum at this time, and instead commit to work with <br /> 39 schools and county staff to develop better plans and funding polices that assure all county <br /> 40 assets, including our schools, are kept in good repair. <br /> 41 <br /> 42 Thank you for considering this view. <br /> 43 <br /> 44 Bonnie Hauser <br /> 45 919 732-9316 <br /> 46 919 619-4354 (cell) <br /> 47 <br /> 48 8. Reports - NONE <br /> 49 <br /> 50 9. County Manager's Report <br />