Orange County NC Website
30 <br /> 1 the results of the ongoing assessment review. He said the living wage increase could be held at $18.18 <br /> 2 per hour to save approximately$500,000. <br /> 3 Commissioner McKee asked how many employees are earning$18.18. <br /> 4 Travis Myren said that there are 17 full-time, benefited employees who earn this wage. <br /> 5 Otherwise, it's mostly temporary employees in departments like Solid Waste and the Library who are <br /> 6 earning the living wage. <br /> 7 <br /> 8 Slide#11 <br /> FY 2026-27 Operating Budget options <br /> County Cost to Continue New Expenses <br /> Bonds, inn Fanee and 1nrOFkeFS Compensation _ $280,000 <br /> Software Service $368,000- <br /> - Fuel Costs-$595,400 <br /> • Could have some flexibility-continue to monitor fuel prices <br /> Recommended increase assumes$f5 per gallon diesel and$5 per gallon gasoline <br /> — Longtime Homeowners Assistance <br /> • Calibrated to compensate for 3.75 cent recommended increase <br /> • Reduction of$11,884 @ 2 cent target <br /> Reduction of$23,780 @ no tax increase <br /> ORANGz'-�E.COUNTY <br /> RTLIWA9 <br /> 10 Travis Myren said bonds and insurance coverages are effectively non-negotiable, representing <br /> 11 $280,000 in increases. He said software-as-a-service costs require time to change for business continuity <br /> 12 reasons, so they are also effectively locked in. He said fuel costs of just under $600,000 are being <br /> 13 monitored <br /> 14 Commissioner McKee asked whether the county could lock in fuel pricing through a long-term <br /> 15 contract. <br /> 16 Travis Myren confirmed the county buys at market rate and does not currently have a locked-in <br /> 17 rate, noting that a six-month lock had been explored two years prior, but the futures market had not <br /> 18 allowed for longer commitments. <br /> 19 Travis Myren said the Longtime Homeowners Assistance increase can be calibrated to the final <br /> 20 tax rate, so if the Board adopts a rate lower than 3.75 cents, that program cost can be adjusted <br /> 21 accordingly. <br /> 22 <br /> 23 <br />