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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 19780613 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS JUNE 13, 197$ The Orange County Board of Gammissioners met in called session on Tuesday, June 13; 1978 at 7:30 p.m. in the 5uperiox Courtroom of the Court House in Hillsborough. The purpose of the meeting was to conduct a public hearing regarding the proposed 1978-79 budget. Present were Chairman Richard Whitted. Commissioners Norman Gustaveson, Jan Pinney, Norman Walker and Donald Willhoit. Others present were S. M. Gattis, County Manager; Neal Evans, County Finance Director; Joe Bradshaw, Administrative Assistant and Agatha Johnson, Clerk. Many County Department Heads were in attendance as well as officials from the Orange County and Chapel Hill-Carrboro School Systems. Chairman Whitted stated that the proposed 1978-79 budget was presented to the County Commissioners on June 1, 1978. The proposed budget calls for $1A,251,797 and would require 86-cents tax rate to implement. In addition to the tax rate, the County also assessed fire districts in the County. Cedar Grove - 12 cents, Efland - 4 cents, Eno - 8 cents, Little River _ 10 cents, New Hope - 8 cents, Orange - 4 cents and Orange Grove - 8 cents. The Dogwood Sani- tation District is assessed 16 cents and a special school district tax is 25'~ cents. Mr. Whitted asked the County Finance Director, Neal Evans, to comment about the proposed budget. Mr. Evans stated the proposed budget for 197$-79 recommends a continuation of current operations generally at existing service levels. The primary areas of ex- pansion are, first, those areas for which the County has made prior commitments, particularly in tax collections, animal protection, emergency communications and agency support for human services and, second, those areas for which the County will receive a major portion of the funding from State and Federal sources, specifically Social Services and Child Support Enforcement. There is an equiv- alent of six full-time positions added to the budget. These are 2~ in social services, ~ in child support enforcement, 2 half year positions in emergency communications and 1 clerical employee in the recreation department. Five positions currently funded through a Federal program (CETA) have been recommended for con- . version to full County positions. For all County employees there is a proposed cost of living increase of 6~. The General Fund Budget includes $11,261,853 in program expenditures, the majority ($8,47$,400) in the human services area, particularly for school ($4,617,540). Under Capital Expenditures, funds have bean carried over for the last three years far the building program to renovate the old Grady Brown School and the jail. The budget includes $1,950,000 for the construction. Mr. Evans stated that the budget is a generally "hold-the- line" budget; however, in order to hold the line, it will require a tax rate of 86 cents. Eie stated the intergovernmental revenues have declined this year for the first time. The primary source of revenue that the County has within its own discretion is the property tax. Consequently, declining revenues in othex areas can only be made up from that source. Mr. Evans explained to those present charts defining the percent of the total budget by category of expenditures. The largest expenditure is in human services with 2$~ of the budget designated for schools, current expense. Human services, social services is designated to receive 18~ of this year's budget and 19~ is designated for transfezs. t ,_..i The chart showing the percent of the total budget by Category of Revenues showed that 49~ of revenues is received from property taxes. The fund balance of 14$ is designated for building funds. A third chart showed the cumulative increase in consumer price index versus the cumulative increase in tax rate. The paint of this chart is to show that even with a tax increase this year, the County has failed to increase the rate to the extent which inflation has occurred. The Chairman announced that the proposed budget has been on file in the Clerk's office for public inspection and is in the County library and the Chapel Hill Municipal Library. He then opened the public hearing for citizen's input. Winston Broadfoot stated he was concerned about the proposed increase in property tax. He offered the following suggestions for the Board's consideration: 1) Instead of having the County Manager come foward with a "continuation of existing service levels" budget that the Board have him come forward in the future with a budget that will not increase the property taxes. Then if the Board wishes certain services to be extended, that the Board ge beyond the Manager's recommendation. 2) He suggested that comparative figures be supplied regarding services, salaries and previous budgets. 3) An audit be made to see that persons who don't deserve the free food program do not receive the service, 4) Regarding recreation, he suggested that a load factor be worked into those programs not directly related to children and to people who cannot pay. 5) He asked that the Board "get the dogs off our backs, let's. break even with this program." 6) Mr. Broadfoot stated there were a number of ways to save on the tax dollar, if the Board would put their minds to it. 7) He suggested a bond program to take care of the capital improvem n program. 8) He asked that more than one.GOpy of the proposed budget be submitted tc the library in southern Drange County. William Lindsay spoke against the Governments of Orange County and Chapel Hill. He stated people are not without limit and the Board should be aware they will eventually run out of road. Ben Lloyd spoke against the spending of the County. He stated the proposed budget was put together without regard to the people who must pay the bill. He spoke against the amount paid the County Attorney for the past year and the amount projected for the next year. He questioned the amount paid to the County architect for services. Regarding health services, Mr. Lloyd asked, "how much can we afford to pay for any particular service?" xn the area of schoels, Mr. Lloyd stated he was very satisfied with the present school systems. He presented to the public hearing data he had compiled from ten counties which provided a comparison between Orange County of the cost peg student contributed in local funds. Mr. Lloyd stated the increase in salaries at the school's central office was a concern to him as well as the new positions which have been created in the Orange County Office. Mr. Lloyd asked the Board to seek other sources for financing "these outlandish spendings". He asked that the budget be "chopped down so that the taxpayer does not get taxed off his land". If this is not done, Mr. Lloyd stated the County would have problems collecting the taxes and suggested an open tax revolt. Tony Seaber asked the Board why more monies are allocated to the Chapel Hill school system for capital outlay than to the County system. He stated over the last six years, Chapel Hill has received an average of $18.00 per pupil more than the County system whack is a difference of 16.8. a.,~, r, ::, . Commissioner Gustaveson stated during the 1960's there was rapid growth in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro area, while the northern end of the County did not grow in the same manner. He added that this was a major period of catch up for the Chapel Hill-Carrboro area. Mr. 5eaber spoke of the Health Department. He stated the County had more health services, more hospital beds than could possibly be anywhere, yet the County continues to increase in this area. He then spoke against the budget of the Recreation Iepartment. He stated this budget had increased 579 over the last four years and if this rate continued over the next four years, the County would be spending over two million dollars for this program. He suggested that the Recreation program is a give-a-way program, and does nothing for the County. He concluded his remarks by stating the thrust of the budget was toward a socialist county. Mr. Sam Holton, a Chapel Hill taxpayer, stated he and a lot of other people in the County had n.uch invested in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro school system and the County school system and he would hate to see that investment go dawn the drain because some people were yelling taxpayer revolt. He stated that the Landowners Association does not speak far the people in his end of the County and he suspects it does not speak for the majority of the people in Orange County. Mr. Holton stated he was not disturbed by the proposed 8 cents tax increase, as this would mean an increase of about $29.00 for the average property owner. He spoke of the need for full funding of the two school systems budgets. He stated this was an opportunity to provide good school systems and the Co linty needs the best systems it can get. He stated if the Board could not fund the full requests of the two systems, that the Board consider raising the school district supplement tax closer to the 35 cent rate. Fie urged the Board not to listen to a handful of people from the north end of the County regarding the proposed tax increase. Joy Williams, a teacher in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro school system, stated she did not feel a maintenance budget was enough. . She spoke of the need to do mare for the exceptional children and that mandated laws require more to be done and the monies must come from some source. She stated that teachers needed materials to work with these children and the resources to carry out proposed programs. She stated the average classroom cannot train children with emotional problems. She urged .the Board ,to provide funding for the emotionally disturbed child as well as all exceptional children's programs. James R. Freeland, an Orange County School Board member, stated he felt the County Board of Education had attempted to live within the means of the bond monies; however, it seemed the County system is being penalized for this effort. He stated the proposed capital outlay in the County budget was not sufficient to meet the County's needs and that the majority of people in Orange County are willing to pay for the services. He urged the award to not listen to a small group of County people who refuse to support anything. Linda Barnard, President of the Chapel Hill High School PISA, spoke of the need to provide competency testing for high school students in order to prepare them to deal with the many problems of adult life. She stated this cannot•be done without proper funding. She also spoke of the vocational program and its needs. She stated parents expect high standards from their schools and are prepared to pay more than they are now paying. E,:~ •i Carl Markuson, Director of Maintenance in the Chapel Hill- Carrboro school system, stated in comparing Orange County's tastes with outer counties and states, one must "compare apples with apples and oranges with oranges". He spoke of the need foz additional Funding for proper maintenance of equipment within the school systems. He added that the systems have inadequate maintenance equipment and an inadequate number of maintenance workers and the Couny would pay more in the long run for maintenance because of th is. Oscar Compton, Chairman of the Orange County school system, stated he was bothered by the difference in capital outlay proposed for the Chapel Hill-Garrboro system and that proposed for the County system and that about $100,000 more is budgeted for Chapel Hill than for the County. He stated it seemed that the County always received less. He also spoke of the need to enlargE the . Orange High cafeteria, to expand the media center at Stanback and to equip playgrounds at other schools. Mr. Compton stated the budget prepared by his Hoard was a realistic one and that the needs of the County are greater than those of the Chapel Hi1,1 system. He asked that Hoard to reconsider the capital outlay appropriation, especially the cafeteria and the media center proposed for Stanback Elementary. ~7erry Robinson, Orange County Health Director, was recognized. Nor. Robinson presented to those present a comparison of Orange County Health Department as it ranked with ten other counties of equal population. He informed those present that Orange County ranked 9th out of 10 counties. He stated that he sees a lot of problems in health which need to be corrected and that he inherited a situation where standards were low and must work to overcome the many gaps in health services. He spoke of the environmental health program and stated the County was now suffering the consequences of problems caused by poor developing years ago. He stated that people should not be expected to live under these situations.and that the answer is not to attack after the situatior becomes a problem. - :,~ Mr. Robinson stated that upon his arrival in Orange County, he was shocked at the fact that Orange County provides so little for its children i.n the was* of school health. Teachers do not have access to trained medical personnel. He added that some of the situations and related problems found in the schoels are staggering. He is working w~.th the~two system's superintendents to correct same problems; however, little can be done without proper funding. He stated he hoped that Hoard would decide to provide an adequate level of preventative. health care for the citizens of the County. Edwin Ca7.dwe11, a member of the Chapel Hill-Garrboro school board, was recognized by the Chairman. He spoke of the different methods in using capital outlay funds by the Chapel Hill system. He stated that Chapel Hill system has been building schools for a long time and developed a philosophy of re- evaluating their old schools periodically and attempted to bring them up to date as new schools are constructed. Nor. Caldwell spoke of the mandated laws which are being `en acted by Federal and state governments but with no funding. He said that taxpayers should be complaining to their legislators in Taashington and Raleigh in- stead of local governments. He added the County should look at a needs assessment possibility and do some long range planning to see how it is going to pay to correct various situations. Mazgaret Land,.a ~haxpayer and mother 3f ch~:ldfen who attend Chapel Hill schools, stated that she supported the proposed tax increase. She cautioned the Board against being afraid of the Proposition 13 issue. She stated that recreation and health in Orange County has been neglected and underfunded for years and the proposed increases are necessary. She stated there are no handouts. They are only called handouts when it is given to the poor, the elderly or the handicapped. These people are also en- titled to the same benefits that the middle class and upper class people receive. ~'w I J '~ Randal Wall stated that the budget shows that the two school systems and the local health department have been supported quite well. The purpose of this meeting is to decide between legitimate expenditures and bureaucracy. He stated that not one speaker tonight has justified excess attorney fees, excess salary increases, the Data Processing Department err the excess adminis-- trative positions. He stated that he felt citizens should attempt to find out haw they could effectively channel their talents to help the Commissioners and administrators to do a more efficient job. Norman Weatherly, a member of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro School Board, spoke regarding the capital outlay allocation to the Chapel Hill system over the last 10 to 12 years. He stated the increase of monies allocated to Chapel Hill was because of the greater increase of children in southern prangs as opposed to the lesser increase in northern prance during this same period. He suggested the County school system follow the example of the Chapel Hill system by modifying buildings to accomodate exceptional children. He stated the Chapel Hill system was inclined to put up incomplete buildings which showed an increase in capital outlay. Dr. Weatherly stated that people from southern Orange were willing to see an increase in the district tax and he encouzaged the Berard to study the possibility of increasing the district tax. He added that the members to the Board of Commissioners should vote their own con- victions and not be influenced by other opinions. Bi11 Strickland, a member of the Chapel Hill Board of Education, stated he was ready to support the Commissioners as they do what they have to do. He stated that it is imperative upon those who bear the public trust to see that there is legitimacy in the programs that are presented and the budgets to support those programs, to cut out the fat and make sure there is legitimate outcome fflr that which is put in. He stated the County programs were growing and have new needs which must be met. He stated that the proposed 8 cent tax increase was not sufficient and that more funds are needed to do the job which must be done."" He added that the southern Orange request to be taxed at a higher rate in the District tax should be honored. In conclusion, Mr. Strickland stated that the Commissioners could do something about the situation and that Chapel Hill--Carrboro residents are willing to pay the money to support the programs. Peggy Pollister stated that she wanted to speak far human services for all of Orange County. She asked the Berard to allocate at ].east 8 cents in order to improve services. Barbara Krivonak, a Chapel Hill teacher and a parent of a handicapped child, stated that with the existing number of exceptional students needing services and the projected numbers for next years, it is essential that staff and space be increased. The needs are. currently not being met because of the number of students and the complex problems the students have require a great deal of time. She stated the problem must either be dealt with in school on the preventative bases or out of school with unemployment, police problems, etc. She urged the Board to support the program for exceptional children. Barbara Thornton, President of the Chapel Hill Federation of Teachers, asked the Berard for funding of four specific programs: 1) Regarding the proposal for alternative classrooms in the junior high schools, 2) support of the remedial summer school program for high school seniors who are expected to fail the competency test and not graduate, 3) Reading Aides for the firs' grade classes and 4) A 5~ increase in teacher's supplement of those teachers who have four years of service or more. ,Y 5 •, ~~ ~.l .l tax. She also asked support of the increase to the District Lawrence Avery, a pxivate citizen, spoke in support of the budget request of the Chapel Hill school system. Dot Walker, a counselor in the Chapel Hill school., stated that space was a problem for the guidance counselors. She added that vocational and career information is needed and space in which to store this data is needed. Charles Stevens of Hillsborough stated that he was in support of the schools budgets; however, he felt a supplemental tax for Chapel Hill Schools would be a penalty to northern Orange. He suggested that the District tax be eliminated in order to equalize the programs. He added that he would be in favor of raising the tax rate but .not the District tax of Chapel Hill-Garrboro. Pat Shaw, a former student of Chapel Hill system, spoke in support of the budget of the Chapel Hill-Garrboro school system. Mrs. Josephine Barbour stated she felt the County would benefit from a study in efficient management to see where the budget can be cut. Phillas Sockwell, Chairperson of the Chapel Hill-Garrboro School Board, stated that the people of Chapel Hi11-Garrboro in 1976 saw the need of providing some programs which could not be supported by allocations from the County tax base. This District tax has largely been used for lowering the teacher/student ratio. 'The School Board feels the District tax needs to be increased this year because a substantial number of local teachers are paid from the supplement. If the General Assembly approved the 6~ cost of living increase to State employees, this increase will be paid to school employees from the supplement. Ms. Sockwell stated the people of the County needed to work together to provide the best education possible far our children. Sim Efland stated he was in favor of education and quality education. He said he also was in favor of the full supplement for the Chapel Hi11-Garrboro school system; however, he is not in favor of increasing the present tax rate. He asked the County Commissioners to explore the passi- bility of a personal income tax. He further suggested that the County seek new industry to locate in the County. The Chairman asked if anyone else wished to speak and no one came forth. Mr. Whitted assured those present that notes were taken on the comments that had been made and these comments will be included in the Board's thoughts as they deliberate on the budget. He stated this budget will be the best the Board feels can be supported. He stated the County could levy taxes on what the General Assembly allows, and presently that is limited to personal and real property taxes. The County Commissioners have individually and collectively as a Statewide Commissioners' organization expressed to the General Assembly the need to Have some relief on property taxes and the purposes for which these taxes must be used. The County Commissioners Association has also articulated to the General Assembly the need fax a local income tax, whether that be some revenue sharing sent back from the State Income Tax or an authorization for a local tax. The Commissioners annually go to Washington to talk about programs on which Congress might be deliberating and to express the concerns of the people on a County level. The Board is aware of the concerns which have been expressed and these concerns will be carefully considered. There being no further business to come before the oard, the meeting was adjourned. ~,; ~-`~ G' Richard Whitted, Chairman Agatha Johnson, Clerk