Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
Commissioner Burroughs said putting schools on the bond as a single issue will help <br /> save money down the road. She said such stewardship of funds is a good decision. <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner Burroughs, seconded by Commissioner Pelissier <br /> that this bond will be for the capital needs of the schools. <br /> VOTE: Ayes, 4 (Chair McKee, Commissioner Price, Commissioner Pelissier, Commissioner <br /> Burroughs); Nays, 2 (Commissioner Jacobs and Commissioner Rich) <br /> MOTION PASSES 4-2 <br /> Chair McKee said just because this is a divided vote does not mean this is a divided <br /> Board on their commitment to schools or other needs throughout the County. <br /> If there is a bond referendum, what process will be followed? And does the number of <br /> "needs" on the referendum affect the process? <br /> Not applicable <br /> Will there be a Bond Referendum Advisory Committee/Capital Needs Advisory Task <br /> Force? Does this change if there is only one need addressed via the referendum? <br /> Chair McKee said with only one item on the bond that an advisory committee is not <br /> warranted. <br /> Commissioner Pelissier said though she agreed that a bond committee is not needed, <br /> she does believe a public engagement process is necessary. She said there should be joint <br /> meetings with both school boards as well as allow for the public to thoroughly review what the <br /> Boards are saying and to make public comments on the proposed bond. <br /> Commissioner Rich said the $125 million bond will be used very quickly, and she would <br /> like to see a long term plan as to how to maintain schools in the future. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs asked how would the money be divided between the two school <br /> districts and who would make those decisions. <br /> Chair McKee said, in his opinion, such decisions would be made either under the <br /> direction of the BOCC or by an Advisory Committee, in conjunction with staff. <br /> Commissioner Burroughs said there are two elected school boards, and she knows at <br /> least one board that has spent a great deal of time determining the priorities. She agreed with <br /> Commissioner Pelissier regarding public engagement. She said she is not sure another <br /> committee is needed. She said it is duplicative of their elected officials. She does see merit in <br /> the creation of a separate group to look at long term maintenance. She said she does believe <br /> the education committee is needed to go out and share information. She said the Board of <br /> County Commissioners will need to decide how to split the funding. She said making <br /> potentially difficult decisions is part of the Board's responsibility. <br /> Commissioner Pelissier echoed Commissioner Rich's comments about having a long <br /> term plan for the maintenance of not only schools, but all County facilities. She said regarding <br /> the division of funds, the BOCC will need to look at both school systems and what they are <br /> proposing, and the projections for increased capacity. <br /> Commissioner Rich said she does not have a problem with another committee. She <br /> said she and Commissioner Pelissier served on a committee for the '/4 cents sales tax. She <br />