Minutes-05-18-2023-Budget Work Session

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President Buxton said rather than asking for dedicated space upfront, the agreement with UNC Chapel Hill is to see how that program goes and if it works, pursue dedicated space. Commissioner Hamilton said the 203 Project will have a Skills Center, and asked if there is space there for Durham Tech programming. Travis Myren said the Nursing Tech Program, GED Program, and ESL will move from the Europa Center to the 203 Project. Commissioner Hamilton said the 203 Project is geographically close to UNC, and asked if space could be made there rather than paying more at a different location. Travis Myren said it was not originally programmed for it, but staff can look. Commissioner Fowler asked if there was room to rearrange current staffing for a permanent officer on the Orange County Campus. Andrew Kleitsch said current the force is currently understaffed for the facilities that are covered. He said in order to better serve the Orange County Campus they really need officers for two shifts, and the first shift officer would provide some consistency in security for students. Chair Bedford said the Innovation Hub and the $50,000 increase in Back to Work Scholarships are covered by Article 46. She said the County Manager is recommending a 10% increase to current expenses, and that could absorb the apprenticeship coordinator and recruitment and retention. She said she feels they could get some more mileage from the County Manager's Recommendation. President Buxton said the Durham Tech Promise is a reimbursement in Orange County, so they do not have that money to put toward other expenses. Chair Bedford said she understands that, but there is a recommended 10% increase in current expense that is higher than inflation, and some of the additional items can be covered. She asked how many serious security incidents there have been. President Buxton said he does not have that number right now but there have been some significant issues that have shown a sworn officer is important. He said some incidents have been difficult ones and security personnel are not as well trained as a sworn officer. He said this request puts the campus in the best position to protect and serve. He said as far as the other requests go, he focused on areas where Durham is picking up 80-90% of the cost and would like Orange County to consider the 10-20% in partnership. He said the 10% increase in current expenses is certainly generous and the college will do what it can with that funding. Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked if there is also an officer at the Innovation Hub. President Buxton said Durham Tech will be a tenant there and not responsible for security. 2. FY 2023-24 Fire Districts' Tax Rates, Pgs. 151-155 The Board reviewed and discussed the FY 2023-24 fire districts' tax rates, including tax rate increases recommended for nine (9)fire districts. BACKGROUND: Nine (9) fire districts have requested tax rate increases for FY 2023-24. As in the past, fire districts requesting tax rate increases present their needs for a tax increase to the Board during a budget work session. Staff have invited representatives from these districts to the work session to answer any questions and/or provide additional information to the Board regarding the proposed increases. Attachment A provides information regarding tax rate requests from all twelve (12) fire districts and/or fire service districts in Orange County for FY 2023-24, and the amount of funds one cent on the tax rate generates. Information regarding all fire districts is located in the Fire District section of the FY 2023-24 Manager Recommended Budget beginning on page 151.