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10 <br /> Slide #22 <br /> FY2021-22 RECOMMENDED BUDGET <br /> MISSION STATEMENT <br /> orange County exists to provide governmental services needed by <br /> our Residents or mandated by the State of North Carolina. <br /> To provide these quality services efficiently,we must; <br /> • Serve the Residents of Orange County—Our Residents Come <br /> Fist, <br /> • Depend on the energy,skills,and dedication of all our <br /> employees and volunteers; <br /> • Treat all our Residents and Employees with fairness,respect, <br /> and understanding. <br /> Orange County Residents Come First <br /> ORANGE COUNT( <br /> —cu NA <br /> Chair Price asked if clarification could be provided on the tax rate increase in relation to <br /> the revaluation. <br /> Bonnie Hammersley said it is an increase to the budget neutral tax figure. <br /> Chair Price referred to the increase of 78 students countywide. She said the numbers <br /> went up for Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools (CHCCS) and down for Orange County Schools <br /> (OCS). <br /> Bonnie Hammersley said in the previous year the opposite situation happened. She <br /> said this is the allocation percentage. <br /> Chair Price asked if Bonnie Hammersley could put up the slide regarding student <br /> membership. <br /> Bonnie Hammersley said the requested amount for Orange County Schools had an <br /> error, and it was a lower percentage than what was recommended. <br /> Bonnie Hammersley said the increase is not based on the request, but rather it is based <br /> on last year's numbers. <br /> 3. Public Comments <br /> The Board held a public hearing to receive comments on the FY22 recommended <br /> budget. <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Hamilton, to <br /> open the public hearing. <br /> Roll call ensued <br /> VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> PUBLIC COMMENTS: <br /> Sally Merryman said she is a 24-year veteran teacher in Chapel Hill, is president of the <br /> Chapel Hill-Carrboro Association of Educators, a homeowner in rural Orange County, and an <br /> informed voter. She said she believes in holding elected officials accountable. She urged the <br /> BOCC to increase the per pupil funding for both school systems. She said CHCCS has already <br /> used its allocation from the American Rescue Plan by opening learning centers during remote <br /> learning; completing repairs and upgrades to HVAC systems and filters; purchasing PPE and <br /> hand sanitizer, etc. She said there is widespread concern about the learning loss during <br /> pandemic, but this concern did not translate into funding to tutoring. She said the County is <br /> sitting on $28 million from ARPA, and she is struggling to understand why these funds are not <br />