Minutes 01-16-2024 - Business Meeting

Browse Search

56 Chair Bedford said she found $17.9 million that she finds important but not as important as schools. She said they are at a breaking point with school capital funding. She thinks some county capital needs can be postponed to prioritize schools. She said a tax increase has to be done, but that leaves her concerned about affordability. She said she does not think there is any way to do option D. Vice-Chair Greene said she would like to see the details on the $17.9 million on Friday at the retreat. She said the county's facility plan was done with a lot of forethought and consideration as well. She said she is not opposed to a tax increase, she just isn't sure what is sustainable. Commissioner McKee said the tax rate will increase over time. He said they need to discuss if they will continue to not allow projects like Walmart and others that are just on the other side of the county. He said that is taking funds from their residents that could help with the tax base. He said there is always more demand. He said that he cannot support option D. He said he does not think the Board would want to cut county operating costs in order to offset a tax increase. He said the needs are valid, but he is concerned about how to pull off funding in a way that is sustainable. Commissioner Fowler said she is leaning towards the middle but she knows they have to be reasonable and think about the voters. She said that she thinks voters will be turned off by option D. She said it will be painful and hurt people in terms of taxes, but the needs have been ignored for far too long. She said she is inclined to support the middle option to see if it can get passed. Commissioner Hamilton said she hopes the strategic planning process will help guide the board's decisions and not do some projects if they are not outlined as priorities in the plan. She said students today are faced with demands that her kids did not have. She said the physical space of school makes a difference and appropriate spaces for all students is important. She said they can pay now or later with increased mental health needs or people in jail. She said at the same time, the board has to also look out for people who struggle to pay their property taxes. She said she is not afraid to go to the community with this and if they say no, then the community has spoken. Commissioner Portie-Ascott said she is sensitive to families experiencing increased costs for everything. She said she does not know which option she supports at this time. She said Option C-2 or the middle option seem most realistic. Commissioner Richards said she would like clarity on Friday on how the valuation impacts the tax rate. She said she does not see Option D passing but has heard the community wants to support schools. She said putting other things into the bond clouds the issue. She said she thinks prioritizing projects is important and is part of the educating the community piece of the bond. She said facilities money should possibly be managed as one pot. Chair Bedford said if the Board picks the middle option, will Woolpert prioritize projects within that option and clarify the order. Vice-Chair Greene said she agrees with Commissioner Richards. She said prioritizing needs across districts is important. Chair Bedford said there is a misunderstanding in the community that the per pupil amount in both districts is the same. She said in passing a bond, if some people think only one school district will benefit, they are less inclined to vote for it. She said there has always been a conflict with having two districts in one county. Commissioner Greene asked if it was different for this because it was focused on facilities. Commissioner McKee said there is a perception that the urban part of the county drives the process, they are the cream of the crop, and the rural areas get what is left. He said that perception has been around since he was a child. Commissioner Richards asked if there was a gap 10 years ago. Chair Bedford said there has never been a gap.