Minutes 06-05-2025-Budget Work Session

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17 continue to support them. She said the solace she received is that the funding provides an increase for both districts. She said that since 2024-25, Orange County is providing 1.3% from the special district tax, which is less than the continuation ask, but more than where they landed at the end of 2024-25. She said there is also an increase of Orange County's contribution to CHCCS. She said the amendment would increase the amount of the special district tax 6.6%. She said this is different from the request. She said that many people think there is a cut to the budget but there is not. She said they are trying to find ways to meet the increase that has been requested. Commissioner Fowler said the increase is to meet their continuation budget. She said that means they need an increase just to meet what they provided last year. Vice-Chair Hamilton said it is important to realize that the continuation budget is just trying to maintain what they currently have. She said that is a big gap to fill. She said she must balance the investments for children, and she thinks the gap is too large Chair Bedford said that two years ago the county increased the special district tax by 1.5 cents. She said that had not been done since Northside Elementary School opened. She said they have gone down by 1,000 students and in the recent SAPFO report, they were down another 113. She said that the school board had a plan to save $2.5 million annually going forward and they had a one-time $100,000. She said she was expecting to see their fund balance increase, but it is only $40,000, and negative once they have the required set-aside. She said she is concerned about the school board's decisions to not close an elementary school, which would save personnel funding. She said they also have not redistricted since Northside and that was 12 or 13 years ago. She said the school board needs to right size their budget. She said she believes in the district tax when it is used wisely. She said she could not support the full request, but can compromise on half of that. A motion was made by Commissioner Fowler, seconded by Chair Bedford to approve budget amendment OP-B02 to increase the CHCCS district tax by .38 cents and to direct the district tax collection fee of$3,805 to the LHA program as part of OP-1303A. Commissioner Greene said she has been going back and forth on her decision. She said that she does support the half measure. Commissioner Carter said it is interesting to consider if they are at a point to have conversations with their colleagues at Orange County Schools to change their taxing model. Chair Bedford said that the school board said no because the tax base is inequitable. She said they said that the per pupil is more important to meet their needs, which she agrees with. She said she would ask at school collaboration meetings. Commissioner Carter said there is a perception that one district has more resources and it's important to ask how to continue to progress. She said demographics are changing. She said there maybe there is a moment in time when the districts discuss what they are looking for. Chair Bedford said that is what the joint meetings should be focused on, especially knowing what they know. She said she will bring it up at the next school collaboration meeting. VOTE: Ayes, 5 (Chair Bedford, Vice-Chair Hamilton, Commissioner Carter, Commissioner Fowler, Commissioner Greene); Nays, 2 (Commissioner McKee, Commissioner Portie- Ascott) MOTION PASSES