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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 19950601 1 APPROVED 9/5/95 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING JUNE 1, 1995 The Orange County Board of Commissioners held a public hearing on the Manager's recommended 1995-96 Orange County budget on Thursday, June 1, 1995 at 7:30 p.m. in Superior Courtroom, New County Courthouse, Hillsborough, North Carolina. COUNTY CONIl~lISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Moses Carey, Jr., and Commissioners William L. Crowther, Alice M. Gordon, Stephen H. Halkiotis and Don Willhoit. COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager John M. Link, Jr., Assistant County Managers Albert Kittrell and Rod Visser, Clerk to the Board Beverly A. Blythe (other staff members are identified appropriately below) PRESENTATION OF THE 1995-96 BUDGET John Link gave an overview of the 1995-96 Manager's Recommended Budget as outlined on the yellow sheet that was distributed and made a part of these minutes by reference. Roy Brockwell stated that even though there are no new County positions being requested, that he feels small County departments can combine with larger departments and employees can be trained. He asked that the County put a freeze on new hires. He said that the County needs a vision that includes efficiency to reduce staff without reducing the services provided. The outside agencies account for 4.5 cents of every tax dollar and he asked that the County review these. He asked that the County not fund Planned Parenthood. PUBLIC HEARING Kathy Bryan, Orange Industries, explained that their community rehabilitation program provides vocational training and placement for citizens with disabilities. She emphasized that they need additional funding from the County. In 1986 they served 68 individuals and in 94- 95 they served 183 individuals. They have seventeen people working in the community with long-term support. They have to turn people away because they don't have the funding. Block grants will end vocational rehabilitation. She thanked the Board of County Commissioners for their past support and asked that they consider additional funding. Commissioner Halkiotis noted that the wheelchair population has increased over the past few years. He commended Orange Industries for their dedication to help the disabled. He feels they need additional 2 space which maybe the County can help locate. They are spending $600 a month for storage because of inadequate space. Diane Willis, member of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro PTA Council, said that Chapel Hill-Carrboro schools asked for a two cent increase in the district tax. This would still only give them two-thirds of the funds they need. The Manager's recommendation of one-cent will not be enough. They have new kids enrolled daily. She asked that the Board of County Commissioners consider putting the two-cent increase in the district tax in the budget. This money will be used to open the new elementary school and the new high school. Tom Waldrop, member of the Orange County Arts Commission, said that they are listed as an outside agency but were actually created by the Board of County Commissioners in 1985 to help promote and encourage the arts and cultural activities in the County. They need more staff assistance. They have part-time staff with no specified number of hours and no guarantee that it will continue. They would like to have a clearinghouse for the arts so that everyone will have access to knowledge about art and cultural activities in the County. He asked that the Board of County Commissioners give him guidance on whether or not they should continue to ask for staff or proceed with contracted services. He also asked if the Arts Commission could be designated as part of the County rather than an agency. He wants them to be designated in a way that does not minimize or influence the impressions of the arts in the County. Commissioner Willhoit asked if the Arts Commission was involved with the art work for the new Southern Human Services Building. Mr. Waldrop said they would be glad to help create exhibition space as a way to include art. They have not heard back from the architechual firm. Chair Carey indicated he would like for the Board of County Commissioners to revisit and make some decisions on funding. He does not feel that the Arts Commission was formed to promote specific artists and needs to understand why being listed as an outside agency is detrimental to their overall purpose. Mr. Waldrop said the design- nation as an outside agency is a problem of perception. Marianne Chomen with the Junior League of Durham and Orange Counties asked that the Board help with funds to continue the after- school program for middle school children. The middle school program has been in place for two years and served 180 children in Orange County and 130 children in Chapel Hill-Carrboro schools. She told about the programs they offer and how they were developed and the other agencies that helped. She said that the program is successful. The program was first funded by S.O.S. State funds. The Junior League has contributed $25,000 over the last two years. For next school year, Durham County and Orange County submitted a grant application and 3 Durham County was funded and Orange County was not funded. The Board decided that the question of funding the middle school program will be added to the agenda for the work session with the schools. Additional information will be provided to the Board of County Commissioners before that work session. Keith Cook, member of the Orange County Board of Education, said that he does support the Community in Schools program. He feels that the citizens in Orange County need to determine if the S.O.S. afterschool program should be continued because it does need to be a community effort. He also asked for funding for Orange Community Housing. He explained that they are trying to keep affordable housing moving in this County. They would like to have $50,000 to use as good faith money to purchase property. Jean Boldoc, small business owner in the electronic publishing field spoke in support of funding the budget for the Orange County schools. She is satisfied that the Board of Education has worked hard to examine all line items and submitted a good budget and asked the Board of County Commissioners to fully fund that budget. Mr. John W. Hughes, Orange County Radio Amateurs, asked that the Board contribute $8,000 toward a county-wide effort to install a radio system that would provide communication for the whole area. This item will be placed on the next agenda for consideration of approval by the Board of County Commissioners. ADJOURNMENT With no further comments, Chair Carey adjourned the meeting. The next regular meeting of the Board will be held on Monday, June 5, 1995 at 7:30 p.m. at the Orange Grove Community Center in Bingham Township. Moses Carey, Jr . , Chair Beverly A. Blythe, Clerk