Minutes 06-11-2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

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increase. She said she is fully confident that the funds would be used wisely and that the Board should trust the school districts. Commissioner Dorosin clarified Commissioner Burroughs proposal, asking if she seeks an additional $1.3 million, with 800,000 for CHCCS and 500,000 to OCS. Commissioner Burroughs said she is asking for an additional $65 per pupil on top of the already proposed $81 per pupil by the Manager. Commissioner Jacobs said Commissioner Burroughs' comments are consistent with what the Board of County Commissioners has always done. He said the Board trusts the school systems and seeks the best for the students in Orange County. Commissioner Jacobs proposed giving the remaining $511,385 to the school districts and not increasing taxes. He said Orange County cannot make up for the faults of the legislature. He said the Board has always been supportive of Public Education and has done its best this year. Commissioner Dorosin said he appreciated Commissioner Burroughs' speech and her proffer to raise the general tax rather than the district tax. He said he would like to reach the $1.3 million that is needed, but suggested dipping into the fund balance in the amount of $800,000 rather than a tax increase. Commissioner Dorosin said Orange County does have the best funded school districts in the State. Commissioner Pelissier agreed with Commissioner Dorosin and does not want a tax increase. Commissioner Rich said she too is not in favor of a tax increase. She asked if the current fund balance is known and what impact a reduction would have. Paul Laughton said there is $400,000 available for use and would keep the fund balance right at 17 percent. He said if more than $400,000 is used, the fund balance would fall under the 17 percent. He noted that the County's fiscal year is not closed out yet and staff felt comfortable just offering up $400,000. He said withdrawing $800,000 would take the fund balance under 17 percent but not as low as 16 percent. Commissioner Rich said she is not comfortable using the fund balance. Bonnie Hammersley said she would caution the Board moving forward and with taking these funds out of the reserves. She said to put the money into operating costs there must be ongoing revenue to support it the next year. She said there is some uncertainty here. She said there is currently no Chief Financial Officer to look at funding and talk about reserves. A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Price that the Board appropriate $511,385 to fund the two school systems. Commissioner Jacobs said there needs to be balance between what is given to the schools, and the County's other needs and priorities. Commissioner Dorosin said if the Board dips into the fund balance this year that he would not support doing that next year. He said the fund balance is like a savings account and sometimes savings must be dipped into. Commissioner Price said she is against raising taxes and does not view the fund balance as a savings account. She said if there is going to be a bond next year, the County's financial ratings will be especially important. Commissioner Burroughs said she is appreciative of Commissioner Dorosin's suggestion to use the fund balance, and she also agrees with Commissioner Price's comments about the County's financial ratings. She said given this motion she will vote against it with gratitude because in times of crisis you need to try and get extra monies. Commissioner Pelissier said she will vote for the motion and then make another motion to take some from fund balance.