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17 <br /> 1 continue to support them. She said the solace she received is that the funding provides an <br /> 2 increase for both districts. She said that since 2024-25, Orange County is providing 1.3% from <br /> 3 the special district tax, which is less than the continuation ask, but more than where they landed <br /> 4 at the end of 2024-25. She said there is also an increase of Orange County's contribution to <br /> 5 CHCCS. She said the amendment would increase the amount of the special district tax 6.6%. <br /> 6 She said this is different from the request. She said that many people think there is a cut to the <br /> 7 budget but there is not. She said they are trying to find ways to meet the increase that has been <br /> 8 requested. <br /> 9 Commissioner Fowler said the increase is to meet their continuation budget. She said that <br /> 10 means they need an increase just to meet what they provided last year. <br /> 11 Vice-Chair Hamilton said it is important to realize that the continuation budget is just trying <br /> 12 to maintain what they currently have. She said that is a big gap to fill. She said she must balance <br /> 13 the investments for children, and she thinks the gap is too large <br /> 14 Chair Bedford said that two years ago the county increased the special district tax by 1.5 <br /> 15 cents. She said that had not been done since Northside Elementary School opened. She said <br /> 16 they have gone down by 1,000 students and in the recent SAPFO report, they were down another <br /> 17 113. She said that the school board had a plan to save $2.5 million annually going forward and <br /> 18 they had a one-time $100,000. She said she was expecting to see their fund balance increase, <br /> 19 but it is only $40,000, and negative once they have the required set-aside. She said she is <br /> 20 concerned about the school board's decisions to not close an elementary school, which would <br /> 21 save personnel funding. She said they also have not redistricted since Northside and that was <br /> 22 12 or 13 years ago. She said the school board needs to right size their budget. She said she <br /> 23 believes in the district tax when it is used wisely. She said she could not support the full request, <br /> 24 but can compromise on half of that. <br /> 25 <br /> 26 A motion was made by Commissioner Fowler, seconded by Chair Bedford to approve <br /> 27 budget amendment OP-1302 to increase the CHCCS district tax by .38 cents and to direct the <br /> 28 district tax collection fee of$3,805 to the LHA program as part of OP-1303A. <br /> 29 <br /> 30 Commissioner Greene said she has been going back and forth on her decision. She said <br /> 31 that she does support the half measure. <br /> 32 Commissioner Carter said it is interesting to consider if they are at a point to have <br /> 33 conversations with their colleagues at Orange County Schools to change their taxing model. <br /> 34 Chair Bedford said that the school board said no because the tax base is inequitable. She <br /> 35 said they said that the per pupil is more important to meet their needs, which she agrees with. <br /> 36 She said she would ask at school collaboration meetings. <br /> 37 Commissioner Carter said there is a perception that one district has more resources and <br /> 38 it's important to ask how to continue to progress. She said demographics are changing. She said <br /> 39 there maybe there is a moment in time when the districts discuss what they are looking for. <br /> 40 <br /> 41 Chair Bedford said that is what the joint meetings should be focused on, especially <br /> 42 knowing what they know. She said she will bring it up at the next school collaboration meeting. <br /> 43 <br /> 44 VOTE: Ayes, 5 (Chair Bedford, Vice-Chair Hamilton, Commissioner Carter, Commissioner <br /> 45 Fowler, Commissioner Greene); Nays, 2 (Commissioner McKee, Commissioner Portie- <br /> 46 Ascott) <br /> 47 <br /> 48 MOTION PASSES <br /> 49 <br /> 50 <br />