Minutes 06-03-2021 Virtual Business meeting

Browse Search

20 into area B, but it was not a decision. He said the money for this amendment, and the last, can just be left in the budget as placeholders. Commissioner Dorosin said it would be worth it for the areas mentioned to be separated. He agrees with keeping B in the plan, because there were collectively more questions about that area. He said there was general agreement about areas C, D, and E being taken out for the time being. He asked if the savings of$1.06 million could be parsed out to show the amount that would apply to each area. Commissioner Bedford asked if the Planning Department staff could do that. Bonnie Hammersley said yes. Commissioner Hamilton said she understands the Manager's point that the money is flexible, when it is left as a placeholder, but if it is allocated and not used for the reason listed in the budget, the money does not get spent on other projects that are needed. Commissioner Fowler said she agrees with Commissioner Dorosin's request to parse the areas out, because removing C, D, and E from the CIP over the next five years would affect the debt service. Bonnie Hammersley said that is correct, depending on what that is. She said this is for water and sewer, and it may just be there regardless. She said staff will look at it. Chair Price said the Board barely spoke about C, D, and E. She said the Board was interested in moving forward with A, and possibly considering B. Paul Laughton reminded the Commissioners that the water and sewer projects are not tax-supported debts. He said these projects are Article 46 funded, and thus are outside general fund debt for both of these projects. Commissioner Bedford explained her next amendment, and said she is more fiscally conservative. She said she spoke with Durham Tech President, JB Buxton, and assured him the Commissioners are looking at $3.08 million for first year planning and site development. She said there may be a delay for a year or two thereafter. She said after seeing all of the needs throughout the budget sessions, she feels it is not wise to spend the $25.6 million on this project right now. She said ARPA funds are one time, and the needs that have arisen during Covid may be pandemic related, but also may have always existed, and just been unmasked by Covid. She said she also realizes that staff will not have a pay increase. She said when the moratorium is lifted on evictions she expects there will be a landslide of needs. She said school districts will also need more funding as they spend down their general fund balances. She said Durham Tech is getting $10 million in its own ARPA funds. She said the County is struggling to make its hypothetical car payment, and it seems unwise to borrow money to buy a boat. She said she appreciates that this project is an investment in education. She said she recommends pushing this project out to years six and seven in the plan, where it was originally before being expedited last year, when some current debt will already be paid off, and more will be available for operating dollars. Chair Price said she understands Commissioner Bedford's points, but also views this expansion as an investment. She said the topic has been on the table a long time, and there is an increase in the demand for community college education. She said the expansion needs to be done. She said the proposed site is ideally located near UNC Hospital's Hillsborough campus and medical center, which provides an opportunity for partnership and training. She said people that have lost jobs during the pandemic will need support to find new ones including training. She said one way to get around homelessness and low incomes is to have a good job, which requires training and education. She said Durham Tech is also an expansion of the K-12 system, as Commissioner Bedford mentioned, and students go to the middle college there and receive high school diplomas and associate's degree at the same time, and go onto a four-year college thereafter. She said ARPA funds cannot be used for capital improvements, and she feels very strongly that this project should stay on track.