Minutes 03-03-2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

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especially given the surplus of lower priced office space throughout the county. Reliable heating, roofs and mold-free schools are a priority and should be funded now. There's growing concern about CHCCS new plan for a centralized pre-K. Many believe it will exacerbate challenges that low income families already face with transportation and getting their kids to school. We believe that a plan to increase pre-K at every elementary school would be better aligned to the community's priorities for poverty and the achievement gap. That will require more planning. Of course this is in addition to the uncertainty around the impact of development, aging and lack of affordable housing on school enrollment growth. As you know, enrollment at both school districts is relatively flat. If this continues, it will slow the need to expand schools. The county's conservative revenue accounting is also creating problems. County revenue projections do not factor in expected revenue increases from growth - even though town leaders are rapidly approving new commercial and residential projects. That, plus the county's repeated surpluses ($7.5 million just last year), could fund essential school maintenance. Reshuffling of county and school projects - and assuring high priority projects are funded first, would go a long way to free up funds for essential repairs and maintenance. There are other options to contain or defer spending on non-essentials. If better planning is not enough, commissioners always have the option to increase debt and raise taxes without voter approval. Please vote against pursuing a ballot referendum at this time, and instead commit to work with schools and county staff to develop better plans and funding polices that assure all county assets, including our schools, are kept in good repair. Thank you for considering this view. Bonnie Hauser 919 732-9316 919 619-4354 (cell) 8. Reports - NONE 9. County Manaqer's Report Bonnie Hammersley noted two future work sessions and the following discussion items: Proiected March 5, 2015 Reqular Work Session Items Updates and Recommendations for Employee Benefits Effective July 1, 2015 Orange County Bus and Rail Investment Plan Annual Report Capital Investment Plan (CIP) Presentation 10. County Attorney's Report John Roberts said last week the FCC preempted state regulation of municipal broadband services. He said he cannot comment on how far this decision goes. He said if this only applies to municipalities that operate broadband and the FCC decision holds up, then the County could look at getting into the broadband service at some point in the future. He said he will keep the Board updated on this.