Minutes 05-16-2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

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20 Chair Dorosin referred to the idea of operating capital, and clarified that Bonnie Hammersley recommends using the available funds on a one-time expenditure, as opposed to a recurring expense. Bonnie Hammersley said yes. Chair Dorosin said asked if these needs are currently being met, or deferred to the next year. Bonnie Hammersley said ideally this is the account used to maintain the school facilities. She said over time, the schools have not seen an increase in this account and maintenance has been deferred. She said she spoke with the Superintendents early in the budget process about this being a possible source of additional funding, and it was felt that there is so much to do that these funds would be a drop in the bucket; however, every little bit helps. She said there are not a lot of one-time expenditures, but they do exist. Commissioner Burroughs asked if the monies were available, would they be tacked on to the Per pupil net count. Bonnie Hammersley said yes, it would be part of the total package to the schools. Commissioner McKee asked if there is a plan going forward to address these needs in the future, given that this is a one-time reduction. Bonnie Hammersley said this is a one-time action, and staff will look at this over the next six months as to how to address decreasing the fund balance for FY 2018-19, and how to address the needs of the County and the Schools. Commissioner McKee clarified that expenditures were rising at 4%, and revenues are rising at only 2%. Bonnie Hammersley said yes. Commissioner McKee said this is a clear indication that financial issues are coming in the near future. Bonnie Hammersley said a lot of the increased expense was due to the infusion of the fund balance, and there are ways to look at the budget creatively to meet the needs of both the County and Schools. Commissioner Rich asked if the figure of 16.2% came from a particular discussion. Bonnie Hammersley said16.2% was in the minutes of the September 8, 2016 work session, and she brought forward this consensus tonight. She said it is up to the Board of County Commissioners as to what number feels best. Discussion ensued. Bonnie Hammersley said the operating capital number does not go on the per pupil; only current expense goes to per pupil. She said the increase will go on the entire package, not the per pupil; only current expense goes towards the per pupil. Commissioner McKee clarified that this would go on top of the per pupil. Bonnie Hammersley said the recommended budget has the per pupil at $123, and it would remain here. She said the amount of dollars that would go towards the schools would increase, and the target would increase, which is at 48.8%. She said this money does not go against the per pupil cost as it is outside of current expenses, and the State keeps track of current expenses. Commissioner Price said Davenport recommends 16.7%. Mitch Brigulio said Davenport would recommend having the policy stay where it is, which is the most beneficial in terms of speaking with the rating agencies. He said rating agencies like there to be a policy, and for the County to strive to stay in line with it. He said changing the policy is not necessarily an issue, but there should be a clear reason for changing it. He said if the Board of County Commissioners wanted to change the policy, Davenport would recommend it range between 16-17%; however, the reason behind the