Orange County NC Website
5 <br /> 1 Bonnie Hammersley said it was the understanding of staff that this is exactly what would <br /> 2 happen. She said even if an intent to adopt is passed the Board may make additional changes <br /> 3 prior to the final adoption of the budget. <br /> 4 Commissioner Jacobs said he is not suggesting that a decision be made tonight about <br /> 5 $100,000 but rather that the amount be set aside until Tuesday night. <br /> 6 Commissioner Price said the CIP can still be approved since it is intent only. <br /> 7 Chair McKee said he will not vote for this. <br /> 8 Commissioner Rich asked if the Board is in agreement that Fairview Park needs to be a <br /> 9 line item in the CIP. She said the park was overlooked and it needs to be put in the CIP. <br /> 10 Bonnie Hammersley said she is not sure a motion is needed to allow for Commissioner <br /> 11 Rich's suggestion as staff will insure that Fairview Park does become a line item. She said the <br /> 12 CIP and the budget will be presented differently in the future. <br /> 13 <br /> 14 VOTE: Ayes, 4 (Commissioner Jacobs, Commissioner Price, Commissioner Rich and <br /> 15 Commissioner Dorosin); Nays, 3 (Chair McKee, Commissioners Pelissier, and Commissioner <br /> 16 Burroughs) <br /> 17 <br /> 18 A motion was made by Commissioner Rich, seconded by Commissioner Price to accept <br /> 19 the Five Year Capital Investment Plan and Approve the Intent to Adopt Capital Funding for <br /> 20 FY2015-16, with caveat that the Board will discuss the Fairview Park project on Tuesday. <br /> 21 <br /> 22 VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> 23 <br /> 24 Chair McKee noted the remaining funds available for allocation are $645,000. <br /> 25 <br /> 26 2. FY2015-16 Annual Operating Budget Decision Items <br /> 27 • Mark Up/Mark Down Items for the County's Annual Operating Budget and Outside <br /> 28 Agencies <br /> 29 <br /> 30 • County Departments <br /> 31 Commissioner Dorosin asked if the $645,000 is the remaining funds available for <br /> 32 allocation, without raising taxes. He also asked if this includes reserve funds. <br /> 33 Bonnie Hammersley said no. She said the County's projected reserves meets Orange <br /> 34 County's financial policy of 17 percent. She said the State's financial policy is 8%. <br /> 35 Commissioner Dorosin asked what would happen if a majority voted to go below the <br /> 36 County policy. <br /> 37 Paul Laughton said it is a policy that rating agencies will review. He said these agencies <br /> 38 see this policy as a strong fiscal control that the County has in place and it helps the County <br /> 39 achieve and maintain the Triple AAA bond rating so crucial when seeking financing. <br /> 40 Commissioner Dorosin asked if it is a conservative policy. <br /> 41 Paul Laughton said it was chosen by looking at peer counties, and 17% is a benchmark. <br /> 42 He said staying within that policy helps the County with the rating agencies. <br /> 43 Bonnie Hammersley agreed with Paul Laughton, and said it is just one of the measures <br /> 44 that rating agencies look at. She said Orange County does have strong fiscal policies; <br /> 45 however, it is a board policy, and, as such, can be changed. <br /> 46 Commissioner Jacobs said he believed that this policy is something the Board could <br /> 47 discuss in the fall as it is a very conservative policy. <br /> 48 Bonnie Hammersley said there was discussion on Tuesday night regarding the United <br /> 49 Way funding and she asked staff for an inventory list of what the United Way is funding. She <br /> 50 said it has been reported to her that the funding changes would not take effect until September. <br />