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10 <br /> 1 <br /> 2 Amendment: 011 -TJCOG <br /> 3 <br /> 4 Commissioner Marcoplos pulled the amendment. <br /> 5 <br /> 6 Amendment 012/013 — debt service <br /> 7 Travis Myren said these amendments are revisions of staff expectations, and the <br /> 8 County is enjoying lower interest rates than expected. <br /> 9 Commissioner Dorosin asked if the allocation of these saved funds could be <br /> 10 identified. <br /> 11 Travis Myren referred to the bottom of the pink sheet, and said the balance <br /> 12 would be $191,140. He said if these funds remain undesignated, the default action <br /> 13 would be to reduce the amount of general fund being used to balance the budget. <br /> 14 Commissioner Dorosin said the County would take less out of the fund balance, <br /> 15 as opposed to having an extra $191,140 to use for other things. <br /> 16 Travis Myren said there is this additional funding should the BOCC choose to <br /> 17 allocate it. <br /> 18 Bonnie Hammersley said it is the fund balance, and not the reserve. <br /> 19 <br /> 20 A motion was made by Commissioner Bedford, seconded by Commissioner <br /> 21 Price to approve this amendment. <br /> 22 <br /> 23 VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> 24 <br /> 25 Amendment 014 <br /> 26 Chair Rich said the County is not delivering the sound basic education to all of <br /> 27 the students in the County, and one example is lack of Internet. She gave examples of <br /> 28 how remote learning has not worked for many students. She said the Article 46 sales <br /> 29 tax revenue will be reduced, so there will not be as much funding available for <br /> 30 technology. She said minority communities will be most affected by this, and the Board <br /> 31 of County Commissioners (BOCC) should help, in order to hold the schools harmless as <br /> 32 they determine how to navigate these unusual times. She said the schools have <br /> 33 provided the devices in many cases, but this equipment is useless without access to the <br /> 34 Internet. She said without this fund, the BOCC is doing a disservice to the community, <br /> 35 and is not providing an equitable education to all in the County. <br /> 36 Commissioner Price asked if anyone will be accountable for this funding, and if <br /> 37 there is a reason that the monies are not going directly to the schools. She said she <br /> 38 does not see how this will help, and if students do not have broadband, this funding will <br /> 39 not provide broadband. <br /> 40 Commissioner Price said the Board does need to review its agreement with the <br /> 41 library, but she does not want to cut the funds to the Chapel Hill Library as the funding is <br /> 42 for the programs. She said libraries were one of the first steps to desegregation, and <br /> 43 libraries continue to give access to all, and are the hub of equity. She said she does not <br /> 44 see the point in the amendment, and will vote against it. She said additional funding will <br /> 45 be needed by the schools, and hot spots are a very expensive band aid. <br /> 46 Chair Rich said the emergency education fund is to help with broadband, and is <br /> 47 for the County to help the schools for additional technology needs. <br /> 48 Commissioner Price said the County cannot lay broadband lines. <br /> 49 Chair Rich no, the County cannot do that, due to the general assembly. She <br /> 50 said if the County goes back into lock down, students will not be able to get to the <br /> 51 library. <br /> 52 Commissioner Price said she does not understand how this funding will help. <br /> 53 Chair Rich said the funds could be used in many creative ways, such as lighting <br /> 54 up a bus and sending it in to a neighborhood. She said children without Internet access <br />