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v 3`75 <br /> MINUTES <br /> ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING <br /> JUNE 8, 1993 <br /> The Orange County Board of Commissioners met in regular session at .th-e <br /> Homestead Community Center in Chapel Hill to hold a public hearing on the <br /> Manager's recommended 1993-94 budget. <br /> COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Moses Carey, Jr. , and Commissioners <br /> Alice M. Gordon, Stephen H. Halkiotis, Verla C. Insko and Don Willhoit. <br /> COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager John M. Link, Jr. , Assistant <br /> County Managers Albert Kittrell and Rod Visser, Clerk to the Board Beverly <br /> A. Blythe, Budget and Management Analyst Donna Dean, Personnel Director <br /> Elaine Holmes, Budget Director Sally Kost and EMS Director Nick Waters. <br /> PRESENTATION BY JOHN M. LINKs_JR. <br /> John Link used transparencies to outline the 1993-94 budget highlights. <br /> In summary he stated that the total budget cost is $60, 577, 088. Additional <br /> debt service on the $52 million education bonds will total 2.1 million. The <br /> increase in current expense appropriation for the schools from $15.7 million <br /> to $16. 8 million is a 7 .2% increase. The per pupil amount would increase <br /> from $1,310 to $1,330. He is recommending 2% COLA for County employees and <br /> a revised merit plan. The budget includes 17 new permanent full-time <br /> positions, many funded through reallocation of other funds or revenues <br /> generated. The recommended budget establishes the general fund property tax <br /> rate at .83 cent. <br /> PUBLIC COMMENTS <br /> Theresa Grywalski, teacher at Chapel Hill High School, stated she <br /> worked on the task force which developed the School-within-a-School program. <br /> This program will take 300 children into a new way of learning which will <br /> hopefully reduce crime and reduce the need for child care workers. Teachers <br /> have given 360 free hours to develop this program. She asked that John Link <br /> fund this program. <br /> Sheria Reid, teacher at Chapel Hill High School, stated that the house <br /> is on fire and everyone is wondering if they should call the fire.... <br /> department. There are children with needs which are not met. Classes are <br /> overcrowded. She feels this is not a case of should we -- we have to. <br /> Jean Bolduc served on the Blue Ribbon Task Force on the education of <br /> African-American students. She feels the system is failing these children. <br /> The county schools need leadership and accountability. She asked that the <br /> County Commissioners ask questions and publish the answers. The system is <br /> going to lose many excellent teachers because of the low salary and <br /> supplement. <br /> Burt Alexander, teacher at Chapel Hill High School, supports the <br /> School-within-a-School program. This is a voluntary program for 9th and <br /> 10th graders. The requested funds would pay for two teachers -- not books <br /> or AV equipment. He feels that failing to fund the expansion budget <br /> threatens this program. He asked that money be allocated from other <br /> sources. They are trying to meet the challenge of their students. <br /> Bonnie Yankaskas, parent representative on the Chapel Hill High <br /> Governance Committee, stated that there has been a tremendous amount of <br /> effort to plan for restructuring their schools. She asked that the County <br />