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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: September 13, 2022 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 2 <br /> SUBJECT: School Capital Needs Work Group Final Report <br /> DEPARTMENT: County Manager and Finance <br /> and Administrative Services <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Capital Needs Work Group Final Report Jean Hamilton, Chair, Capital Needs <br /> Work Group, (919) 245-2130 <br /> Gary Donaldson, Chief Financial Officer, <br /> (919) 245-2453 <br /> PURPOSE: To receive the Final Report from the School Capital Needs Work Group and provide <br /> direction on next steps. <br /> BACKGROUND: The Capital Needs Work Group (the work group) was established in Fall 2021 <br /> as a result of a petition by Commissioner Jean Hamilton of the Orange County Board of County <br /> Commissioners (BOCC). The petition requested the work group address the capital needs of the <br /> two public school systems in Orange County — Orange County Schools (OCS) and Chapel Hill <br /> Carrboro City Schools (CHCCS)—especially the older schools, such that an actionable plan (over <br /> 10 years) would be developed that would dedicate funds and a process to address the needs. <br /> The work group sees value in collaboration and coordinating capital efforts across the BOCC, <br /> County staff and two school districts. The County is responsible for allocating capital funds <br /> amongst the schools and County capital needs. The school districts are responsible for managing <br /> their individual facilities to best meet local needs. In that context, the work group is interested in <br /> continuing to explore ways to improve efficiencies and transparency, and to better inform decision- <br /> making around the capital needs for all its schools. <br /> The work group agreed to present the three recommendations listed below (and as detailed in <br /> Appendix 1) to each of the three elected boards represented on the work group for consideration <br /> and approval: <br /> • Hire a consultant to evaluate the County's approach to school capital planning, design, <br /> contracting, and financing. <br /> • Research alternative funding sources for school capital improvements. <br /> • County and both school districts commit to continue working together on school capital <br /> planning through the existing work group. <br />