Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
6 <br /> Vice-Chair McKee asked if the amount is to be paid back over time. <br /> Chair Bedford clarified that the full amount would be paid back overtime, and 20% is asked <br /> to be paid back next fiscal year. <br /> Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked what the expectation was when the Sportsplex was <br /> given the money. <br /> Bonnie Hammersley said the general fund is a safety net fund for enterprise funds and <br /> special revenue funds. She said the county can't leave these funds in a deficit and is required to <br /> make sure all funds are in positive stance at the end of the year. She said at the time the money <br /> was given, the Sportsplex enterprise fund was not going to be in a positive stance. She said there <br /> was no agreement or discussion that the money would or wouldn't be paid back. <br /> Travis Myren said the managing partner at the Sportsplex is aware of this amendment and <br /> didn't express any concerns. <br /> Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked if this is an outside agency. <br /> Bonnie Hammersley explained that the Sportsplex is a county department but is also an <br /> enterprise fund and the Visitors Bureau is a special revenue fund. <br /> Chair Bedford added that Solid Waste is also an enterprise fund. <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner Hamilton, seconded by Vice-Chair McKee, to <br /> approve budget amendment OPER-005. <br /> Commissioner Greene asked if this amendment has any implication on the upcoming <br /> amendment to cut $20,000 in Article 46 funding for the Durham Tech Innovation Hub. She said <br /> she doesn't plan to support that amendment. <br /> Chair Bedford said no because the amendment currently being discussed impacts the <br /> general fund, not Article 46 proceeds. <br /> VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> Commissioner Hamilton explained budget amendment OPER-005a, which she <br /> sponsored. She said OPER-005 will reduce the proposed tax rate and OPER-005a reflects that <br /> change. She said she hoped not to increase taxes this year and thinks it's an important exercise <br /> of good stewardship for county commissioners to find areas to save when spending more in other <br /> areas. <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner Hamilton, seconded by Commissioner Fowler, to <br /> approve OPER-005a. <br /> VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> Commissioner Hamilton reviewed budget amendments OPER-006 and OPER-006a, <br /> which she sponsored. She said OPER-006 calls for the Visitors Bureau to pay back the money <br /> the county provided during the pandemic using the same rationale as OPER-005. She said this <br /> would result in a tax rate reduction of .05 cents. <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner Hamilton, seconded by Commissioner Fowler, to <br /> approve budget amendments OPER-006 and OPER-006a. <br /> VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />