Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
<br />DRAFT <br />Revised <br />4/20/00 <br />ORANGE COUNTY <br />Clarification of Policy on Planning and Funding School Capital Projects <br />(This document is intended to clarify the expectations of the Orange County Board of Commissioners in <br />collaborating with the Boards of Education, in planning for and implementing school capital projects. The <br />staff assumption is that further work will be done on this draft, with a communication of a policy on this <br />topic to be transmitted from the BOCC to the two school boards following the April 24`" budget work <br />session) <br />1. Background <br />The County's ten year capital investment plan is a planning document that is updated annually. <br />Before the beginning of each fiscal year, the Board of County Commissioners approves the <br />funding plan in concept. However, funding of individual projects is contingent upon the scope <br />of work required to complete the project. <br />• Level l Projects: ,Level one projects are those projects that have a relatively small scope <br />of work and can be accomplished using in-house staff or entail purchasing equipment <br />and vehicles. The Board approves the entire project ordinance at one time. <br />• Level 2 Projects: Level two projects are major projects that require several phases to <br />complete. For these projects, the Board approves funding for individual components as <br />.project scope develops rather than allocating a lump sum for the life of the project. <br />Major components include: <br />• Planning, architect, engineering <br />• Site acquisition and associated fees <br />• Construction <br />• Equipment, Furnishings, Non-Recurring Start-Up costs <br />• Technology <br />2. Site Standards <br />In accordance with North Carolina State Statutes, a local board of education cannot execute a <br />contract nor expend funds to purchase a facility site without the consent of the local board of <br />county commissioners. As each school system in Orange County plans for future school-related <br />facilities, it is important that they adhere to the following guidelines related to the potential <br />acquisition, either by purchase or donation, of a site, in addition to any siting criteria-they may <br />have established internally: <br />The Board of Education is to notify the Orange County Board of Commissioners, in writing, <br />whenever they have tentatively identified a potential school site for purchase, or if a potential .donor <br />Page 1 of 5 <br />Clarification of Policy on Planning and Funding School Capital Projects <br />