Agenda - 09-01-2015 - 6a - Laserfiche WebLink

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15 1 Commissioner Jacobs proposed giving the remaining $511,385 to the school districts 2 and not increasing taxes. He said Orange County cannot make up for the faults of the 3 legislature. He said the Board has always been supportive of Public Education and has done 4 its best this year. 5 Commissioner Dorosin said he appreciated Commissioner Burroughs' speech and her 6 proffer to raise the general tax rather than the district tax. He said he would like to reach the 7 $1.3 million that is needed, but suggested dipping into the fund balance in the amount of 8 $800,000 rather than a tax increase. 9 Commissioner Dorosin said Orange County does have the best funded school districts 10 in the State. 11 Commissioner Pelissier agreed with Commissioner Dorosin and does not want a tax 12 increase. 13 Commissioner Rich said she too is not in favor of a tax increase. She asked if the 14 current fund balance is known and what impact a reduction would have. 15 Paul Laughton said there is $400,000 available for use and would keep the fund balance 16 right at 17 percent. He said if more than $400,000 is used, the fund balance would fall under 17 the 17 percent. He noted that the County's fiscal year is not closed out yet and staff felt 18 comfortable just offering up $400,000. He said withdrawing $800,000 would take the fund 19 balance under 17 percent but not as low as 16 percent. 20 Commissioner Rich said she is not comfortable using the fund balance. 21 Bonnie Hammersley said she would caution the Board moving forward and with taking 22 these funds out of the reserves. She said to put the money into operating costs there must be 23 ongoing revenue to support it the next year. She said there is some uncertainty here. She said 24 there is currently no Chief Financial Officer to look at funding and talk about reserves. 25 26 A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Price that 27 the Board appropriate $511,385 to fund the two school systems. 28 Commissioner Jacobs said there needs to be balance between what is given to the 29 schools, and the County's other needs and priorities. 30 Commissioner Dorosin said if the Board dips into the fund balance this year that he 31 would not support doing that next year. He said the fund balance is like a savings account and 32 sometimes savings must be dipped into. 33 Commissioner Price said she is against raising taxes and does not view the fund 34 balance as a savings account. She said if there is going to be a bond next year, the County's 35 financial ratings will be especially important. 36 Commissioner Burroughs said she is appreciative of Commissioner Dorosin's 37 suggestion to use the fund balance, and she also agrees with Commissioner Price's comments 38 about the County's financial ratings. She said given this motion she will vote against it with 39 gratitude because in times of crisis you need to try and get extra monies. 40 Commissioner Pelissier said she will vote for the motion and then make another motion 41 to take some from fund balance. 42 Bonnie Hammersley clarified that the fund balance is what is left over from the budget at 43 the end of the year and the monies in question here are the reserves. 44 Chair McKee asked if this motion passes and there is an additional motion for more 45 funding, that those funds would come from the reserves. 46 Bonnie Hammersley said yes. 47 Bonnie Hammersley said salary savings are part of the fund balance. 48 Chair McKee said he supported this motion, but would have concern using the reserves. 49 50 VOTE: UNANIMOUS