Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
Bonnie Hammersley said the Board of County Commissioners discussed this on March <br /> 3, 2015. She said the issue regarding the lack of the school facility priority lists hindered the <br /> discussion, thus it is being brought back tonight. She said Orange County Schools (OCS) <br /> have indicated that their priority list will not be ready until May. She said attachment 1 to the <br /> abstract has decision points outlined as a guide for the BOCC. <br /> Chair McKee said some of the reluctance of OCS to provide a priority list may have <br /> hinged on their search for a new superintendent. He said a new superintendent is now <br /> secured and is to be sworn in on April 27, 2015. He said the OCS priority list should now <br /> hopefully move forward quickly. He opened up a general discussion and thanked the manager <br /> for the decision points to aid the Board in moving through the discussion. <br /> Decision points: <br /> HOW SHOULD ORANGE COUNTY FUND SCHOOL AND COUNTY CAPITAL PROJECTS? <br /> POTENTIAL NOVEMBER 2016 BOND REFERENDUM <br /> Does the Board want to schedule a bond referendum? <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner Burroughs, seconded by Commissioner Pelissier <br /> to approve scheduling a bond referendum. <br /> VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> If there is a bond referendum, when should the bond referendum occur? <br /> May 2016 or November 2016 <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner Pelissier, seconded by Commissioner Price to <br /> schedule the bond referendum for November 2016. <br /> VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> If there is a bond referendum, should it address one need, or multiple needs? <br /> Commissioner Jacobs suggested a scientific voter poll be conducted to ask the <br /> residents of Orange County what they would like to see on a bond referendum. He said the <br /> Board recognizes that school needs predominate but seems divided on whether these needs <br /> should be the sole purpose of the bond issue. He suggested giving the voters an opportunity <br /> to think about the issues rather than acting on individual convictions of the Board members. <br /> Commissioner Burroughs said she thinks that there is more than enough work to be <br /> done in many facilities within both school systems. She said the needs are far greater than <br /> what can be accomplished by this bond referendum. She said she appreciates Commissioner <br /> Jacobs's suggestion for a poll but it would be difficult to poll the voters to sort out priorities. <br /> She said she does not have much faith in that particular tool being helpful. She will continue <br /> to advocate for the bond for the schools. She said it is not even close to what the schools will <br /> need, but the systems will make these funds work to the best of their ability, using them wisely. <br /> Commissioner Price echoed Commissioner Burroughs. She said all the Commissioners <br /> have been out in the community and have a good idea of the capital needs. She said the <br /> recycling fee will be new, as well as the upcoming property revaluation, and she feels adding <br />