Minutes 06-09-2020 Virtual Budget Work Session

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6 Amendment: 011 -TJCOG Commissioner Marcoplos pulled the amendment. Amendment 012/013—debt service Travis Myren said these amendments are revisions of staff expectations, and the County is enjoying lower interest rates than expected. Commissioner Dorosin asked if the allocation of these saved funds could be identified. Travis Myren referred to the bottom of the pink sheet, and said the balance would be $191,140. He said if these funds remain undesignated, the default action would be to reduce the amount of general fund being used to balance the budget. Commissioner Dorosin said the County would take less out of the fund balance, as opposed to having an extra $191,140 to use for other things. Travis Myren said there is this additional funding should the BOCC choose to allocate it. Bonnie Hammersley said it is the fund balance, and not the reserve. A motion was made by Commissioner Bedford, seconded by Commissioner Price to approve this amendment. VOTE: UNANIMOUS Amendment 014 Chair Rich said the County is not delivering the sound basic education to all of the students in the County, and one example is lack of Internet. She gave examples of how remote learning has not worked for many students. She said the Article 46 sales tax revenue will be reduced, so there will not be as much funding available for technology. She said minority communities will be most affected by this, and the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) should help, in order to hold the schools harmless as they determine how to navigate these unusual times. She said the schools have provided the devices in many cases, but this equipment is useless without access to the Internet. She said without this fund, the BOCC is doing a disservice to the community, and is not providing an equitable education to all in the County. Commissioner Price asked if anyone will be accountable for this funding, and if there is a reason that the monies are not going directly to the schools. She said she does not see how this will help, and if students do not have broadband, this funding will not provide broadband. Commissioner Price said the Board does need to review its agreement with the library, but she does not want to cut the funds to the Chapel Hill Library as the funding is for the programs. She said libraries were one of the first steps to desegregation, and libraries continue to give access to all, and are the hub of equity. She said she does not see the point in the amendment, and will vote against it. She said additional funding will be needed by the schools, and hot spots are a very expensive band aid. Chair Rich said the emergency education fund is to help with broadband, and is for the County to help the schools for additional technology needs. Commissioner Price said the County cannot lay broadband lines. Chair Rich no, the County cannot do that, due to the general assembly. She said if the County goes back into lock down, students will not be able to get to the library. Commissioner Price said she does not understand how this funding will help. Chair Rich said the funds could be used in many creative ways, such as lighting up a bus and sending it in to a neighborhood. She said children without Internet access are going to fall behind, and this funding is to help address the gap. She said the County is responsible for these children's education.