HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 02-02-1998r.
Joint Meeting
Chapel Hill Town Council
Orange County Commissioners
Monday, February 2,1998 @ 7:30 p.m.
Meeting Location: Homestead Community Center, Homestead Road, Chapel Hill
1. Introduction and Purpose
2. Brief Reports from Orange County
=* County Financial Status and Budget Projections (1998 -99)
=:> New Tax Bill Design
=* Status and Timelines of Major School Capital Projects
=:> Status of Sportsplex
=* Procedure for Chapel Hill's Acquisition of Park Bond Money
Natural Area Elements of the Orange County Comprehensive Plan
• Commission for the Environment
• Water Resources Committee
• Historic Preservation Commission
Human Services Update
• Skill Development Center
• Southern Human Services Center
• Joint Master Recreation and Parks Plan Work Group
• Work First
3. Chapel Hill Status Report
Planning for Southern Village Gymnasium
=> Town of Chapel Hill and Chatham County Joint Meetings
=> Joint Chapel Hill -Orange County Meeting with Legislative Delegates
=:> Status on Chapel Hill's Northwest Area Plan
Possible Long -term Joint Ventures
• Joint Staff Effort to Focus on Energy Conservation/Usage
• Joint Ventures on Centralized Purchasing with Emphasis on Recycled Products
• Joint Efforts on Information Systems
02/02/98 4:18 PM
FEB298.AGN
2/2/98
Orange County
Financial Status and
1998 -99 Budget Projections
1) County Financial Condition
• very strong financial position as of audit for fiscal year ending 6/30/97
• cash & investments at $12.9 million - increased by $2.2 million from 6/30/96
• General Fund undesignated fund balance was $9.3 million at 6/30/97, an increase
of $1.7m from 6/30/96
• fund balance was 11.8% of 1997 Expenditures
• County bond ratings are AA+ (Standard & Poor's) and Aa1 (Moody's)
2) Assumptions for Major Revenues
• Tax Base grows at 3.5%
• Sales Tax grows at 6%
• Intergovernmental Revenues remain fairly constant — approximately 1% growth
(due to Welfare Reform and anticipation of Department of Social Services Block
Grants)
• Fees for Services and Licenses and Permits grow at 3%
3) Assumptions for Expenditures
• County operational expenditures will be similar to the past three years
• New position requests
• Schools will have increased student enrollments
• Annual increases for Education have averaged 10% over the last 10 years
• County employee compensation package will be similar to past few years
4) Operational Issues for 1998 -99
• New facilities coming on line
• Jail (open for 4 months in 1997 -98)
• Southern Human Services Center (open for 3 months in 1997 -98)
• Skills Development Center (anticipated opening 2nd quarter of 1998 -99)
• Information Technology
• Landfill/Solid Waste
• Welfare Reform
• Debt Service
5) Projected Tax Rate for 1998 -99
• Projections indicate possible increase of 3 to ,5 cents
Redesigning the Current Property Tax Bill Format
Goals:
Communication to Citizens
1) Educate citizens about what their government is doing and where their tax
dollars are going
2) Improve citizen awareness of tax laws and deadlines
3) Inform citizens of their responsibilities as taxpayers
4) Establish confidence in how government spends money
Create a More Intelliggnt Document
1) Increase readability and eye - appeal
2) Make information easy to find and grasp at a glance
3) Create personalized citizen communications
1) .bar -codes will be used to mail bills
a) postage rate savings
b) mail is routed more efftciendy, reducing delivery times
c) reduces mail float and number of pieces lost in the postal system
2) Return envelopes will be provided
a) ensures that citizens send their payments to the correct address
b) reduces mail float time
c) convenient to the taxpayer
3) Bills will be mailed in an envelope and will be more private
The new billing format was tested in November with a mailing of approximately 2000 notices.
We had many positive responses by telephone and in person. All but two of the surveys
returned rated the new billing format as highly effective to excellent. Some of the suggestions
written in on the survey were as follows:
"Why not send a mailing envelope?"
"Both (post card and new format) are effective. Should go with the one that is easiest to
process and most cost effective."
"Personal `Messages' was almost overlooked as general info. Otherwise very excellent. Had
all the info I needed."
"Include return envelope."
"Highlight the account number, if any, you would like taxpayers to record on their checks."
"Please put an example of a tax formula."
"I think the added information is interesting -bULI'm so. used to looking out for those
DISTINCTIVE post cards that I'm biased in favor of them and fear I'll miss the bill (& the
deadlines) unless you can make that envelope egnally clear &distinctive. (The simpler the
better)"
"I really don't think you want to know what I think so I won't waste my time!!"
"Lower your tax rates. Stop being parasites."
"This is a great new bill format—Thank you Tax Office!!"
"This is good!" (referring to the sentence, "in addition, we can educate our citizens about how
property tax dollars and other revenues in the general fund are spent.)
County Of Orange
Office Of The City/County Tax Collector
Ginger B. Rolfe, Tax Collector
P.O. Box 8181
Hillsborough, NC 27278
,3 lawt Irnol : oI a:•
,• •
CURRENT BILL PAST DUE AFTER
JANUARY 5, 1998
200 S. Cameron Street
Hillsborough, NC 27278
Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday
Phones:. (919) 732 -8181 ext 2725, 2728, 2730
Facsimile (919) 644 -3091
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y.a- B,NC M
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540301
5.108..18
9719697
#56 PH 1 GRAND OAK ESTS P53/15
- PERSOIbFA1*,PROPER`FY':YALUE:;i
:'- :. A L:, OPERTY VAI~M 'I...' ,;;� - :T A '1' ....�_ .
_
317,372 317,372
9195 - County (.873) + Little
■Human Services, 24%
O Public Safety, 9%
■ Public Works, 4%
• All Other, 11%
• Community Service &
Gen Administration, 5%
EAwation - Includes current expense appropriation, recurring and long range capital, and
debt service on school construction bonds.
Human Services - Includes Social Services, Health, Cooperative Extension,
Recreation/Parks, Aging, Transportation, Human Rights and Relations, Child Support, and
grants to non -profit agencies.
Public &fity - Includes the Sheriffs Department, Domestic Violence Program, and
Emergency Management Services, which is comprised of 911 Telecommunications,
Emergency Medical Service, and Fire Marshall.
Public Works - includes County Buildings and Grounds, Rent, Motor Pool, and Sanitation,
including maintenance of the solid waste collection sites.
All Other - Includes Register of Deeds, Tax Assessor and Collector, Land Records,
Planning and Inspections, and the EDC. it also includes County capital projects and debt.
Community Service & General Admbristration - Includes County's costs for the Courts,
Elections, Budget, Personnel, Finance, Purchasing, Central Services, Data Processing,
Soil and Water Conservation. Manager's and Commissioners' Offices.
MESSAGES This is a duplicate of the -1997 Orange County tax bill. The original bill was prepared- in. the name of the record owner.as
of January 1 as provided bilaw,_ Orange CountyLand Records Office indicates that you acquired this property during 1997:::
MACH AND RF1417" 5 POKnON waft PAYMFXr
TRACTNUMBER ' ; ;'. ?YOPERTY1DESC;1M TON YEAK & BILL; NlJ1ylI34P;7J tl' LAL LIU , 1 ,I
r 540301 1 #56 PH I GRAND OAK ESTS P53/15 9719697 $2,918.24
TO CHANGE YOUR MAILING ADDRESS,
PLEASE FILL IN YOUR NEW ADDRESS AT
THE RIGHT
MAKE CHECK PAYABLE & REMIT TO:
ORANGE COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR
P.O. BOX 8181
HILLSBOROUGH, NC 27278
ICURRENT BILL PAST DUE AFTER
JANUARY 5, 1998
ADDRESS:
CITY: STA'T'E:
EASE 'I M
IS TOR
TH
ZIP:
TAX VALUE & OWNERSHIP The value and ownership of real property
shall be determined as of January 1, pursuant to the North Carolina
General Statutes. It is the duty of the Tax Assessor to appraise all real and
personal property. If you have questions regarding the tax value of your
property, call the Orange County Tax Assessor at (919)732 -8181, ext.
2100. If you have questions regarding ownership, call the Orange County
Land Records Office at (919)732 -8181, ext. 2500.
TAX RATE County, fire district, and Chapel Hill/Carrboro school
district tax rates are set annually by the Orange County Board of
Commissioners when the budget is adopted in June. Municipal tax rates
are set annually by the respective Council or Board of Aldermen. if you
have questions regarding county and special district tar rates, call the
Orange County Budget Office at (919)732 -8181, ext. 2151 or the Orange
County Board of Commissioners' Office at (919)732 -8181, ext. 2130.
PAYING YOUR BILL SYMAIL Please make checks payable to the
Orange County Tax Collector. Mail payments to: Orange County
Tax Collector, P.O. Box 8181, Hillsborough, NC 27278. Include the
lower portion of this bill with payment A receipt will be supplied
only upon request. For income tax purposes we prefer that you retain
the lower portion of the bill and your canceled check
PAYING YOUR BILL IN PERSON Please bring your entire bill if
paying in person. There are two locations for payment: Orange
County Government Services Center, 200 S. Cameron St.,
Hillsborough, NC or Chapel Hill Town Hall, 306 N. Columbia SL,
Chapel Hill, NC. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am.
to 5:00 p.m. for the Hillsborough location and Monday through
Friday, 8:30 am. to 4:30 p.m. for the Chapel Hill location.
PAYING YOUR BILL AFTER HOURS If you prefer to pay your
bill in person but are unable to do so during regular office hours, we
have a drop box located at the entrance to the Government Services
Center, 200 S. Cameron St., Hillsborough, NC.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
DUE DATE Real property taxes are due annually on September 1.
Taxes may be -paid without penalty during the months of August,
September, October, November and December. Orange County real
property bills are mailed in July of each year.
ESCROWACCOUNTS If you have an escrow account with a financial
institution, tares should be paid by them or their tax servicing agent. As
a general practice, financial institutions request duplicate bills from our
office and usually remit payment between November 15 and December
3k You may wish to verify your payment data with your financial
institution.
CHANGE IN OWNERSHIP If the real property desaiWitt r�
notice has been sold, please forward this tax noehFe' d4*be'b� w
When property is sold prior to the creation oft ht tai'. bi%4t4s thli i!(i"
practice of N.C. attorneys to make adjustments for the payment of tares
on the closing statement. Payment is not generally made to the tax office.
After the creation of the tax bills, taxes are normally paid at closing. If
you have any questions regarding who is responsible for payment of the
bill, please refer to the closing statement or contact your attorney.
LATE PAYMENT CHARGES Taxes are delinquent after January 5. Interest
begins January 6 at a rate of 2 %. 314 of 1% interest is added each month
thereafter until taxes are paid in full. Payments submitted by mail are deemed
to be received as of the date of the United States postal service mark. The
.United States postal service mark ti1lltt be affixed or payment will be deemed
to be received when the payment is received in the Office of the Tax Collector.',
COLLECTION PROCEDURES Delinquent taxes will be collected through
garnishment of wages, attachment of bank deposits, levy on personal property,
foreclosure on real property. These remedies are made available to the Tax
Collector by the Notch Carolina General Statutes. Delinquent real property
taxes are advertised in March in the name of the listing taxpayer as of January
1 ownership.
RETURNED CHECK CHARGE A ten percent (10 %) penalty will be
charged for any check returned due to insufficient funds, (N.C.G.S. 105 -
357(b)(2)], plus any additional interest and penalty, plus any criminal
penalties provided by law. Tax receipts are null and void if payment is made
with a check that fails to clear the bank.
Want more information on Orange County Government?
Visit the Orange County Website @ www.ro.orange.nc.us/omnge/
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK!!!!
. ......_. __.._.........- .............. --
Contact us by E -Mail !!
an Ginger B. Rolfe, Tax Collector can
1 be reached at grolfe@ co.omnge.nc.us
We are considering changing our current post card billing format to a new format, similar to that of utility billings. This bill is a proposed sample. The
change in format is one way to provide more information to the citizen. In addition, we can educate our citizens about how property tae dollars and other
revenues in the general fund are spent. We want to know what you think of the format and information presented. Please fill out the Survey below and
return with your payment. If your taxes are paid through escrow, we still want to hear from you! You can also respond by email or by telephone.
SUGGESTIONS
r
SURVEY
s,.
Needs Effective
Highly. �.
F„ ellent
Improverner �,i
Effective,r�
Format & Layout
❑
❑
❑
❑
Information Presented
❑
❑
❑
❑
Readability
❑
❑
Cl
❑
Ease of Understanding
❑
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13
11
SUGGESTIONS
CONSOLIDATED CITY / COUNTY TAX NOTICE
- 208952 1587571 753896 9199 -04- 5771.008
�
' 135166 1135166
r _ — I GYDU
OUNTY 873 1180.00
HAPEL HILL 1538 727.19
. H . SCHOOL -1.79 241-95
PRESORTED
FIRST CLASS MAIL
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT NO. 53
HLL1S80R000H. N.C.
753896
A.
97 97 58757
• . AMOUNT DUE
21149.14 2144.14
INDICATE AMOUNT
OF PAYMENT
SEE REVERSE FOR
IMPORTANT INFORMATIOI
CHAPEL NC 17514
READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE SUBMITTING PAYMENTS
1. If you have sold the real property assessed to you since January 1, please notify the new owner of any unpaid taxes.
2. To insure proper credit. please mad the return skrb or Ming the entire tax Nil when making payment. For mailed
payments, a receipt mil 1e supplied only upon request.
3. Mail payments to: Orange County Tax Collector
PO Box 8181
Hillsborough, NC 27278
r..
Pay in person: Orange County Government Se t&, Chapel Hill Town Hal
2W S Cameron Street 306 N. Columbia Street
Hillsborough, NC j ;?Chapel Hill. NC
Phone: 919 732 -8181
tOt ice Hours: 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P-M.)
4. CUE DATE: September t
Taxes may be paid without penalty during August, September, October• November, and December.
DEUNOUENT AFTER: January 5
Interest 2-6 added January 6
314 of 1% added each month thereafter until paid in full.
Garnishment of wages, attachment of rents and bank accounts, levy on personal property, and foreclosure of real
property will begin immediately after taxes become delinquent
Delinquent taxes are advertised in March in the name of the listing taxpayer as of the January 1 ownership.
5. 10% penalty for worthless checks (G.S. 105 -357 {bJ (2) J. plus any additional interest and penalty, plus any criminal
penalties provided by taw.
S. If you have an escrow account with your mortgage company, you may want to forward this statement to them. However,
you, the tax a er, are responsible to see that taxes are paid in full.
2/2/98
Status and Timelines of Major School Capital Projects
Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools
1) Elementary School in Southern Village
• Pre - grading completed
• Bids received in January 1998
• CHCCS believes that school will be completed for approximately $1 million
less than the original budgets
• School is scheduled to open in the Summer of 1999
1) East Chapel Hill High School Addition
• Addition includes a cultural arts wing, auditorium, a 500 student classroom
addition, auxiliary gym and several athletic program amenities
• Bids received in November 1997; were approximately $1 million under budget
• Anticipated completion of Summer of 1999
1) Fourth Middle School proposed for the Meadowmont Development
• Uncertainty has arisen over this project due to legal challenges brought by
property owners
• Board of Education is considering alternatives for providing additional middle
school facilities
• Locate new school on another suitable site
• Construct additions onto the three existing middle schools
2/2/98
PROCESS FOR BOND SALES
• In accordance with proposed debt policy, the County will strive to sell
bonds only once in a fiscal year.
• Prior to the County Commissioners' determination of when to sell bonds
and the amount of bonds to sell, project descriptions and cash flow
projections, to include the use of existing funds on hand or available, are
required for each bond purpose (Parks, Schools and Housing).
• The County is currently planning the initial sale of the 1997 bonds in
early 1999. This means that the County would need to receive by
September 1998 all timetables, cash flow requirements, etc. for all
projects to be included in that bond sale. For future bond sales, the
County would need that project information by the November preceding
the fiscal year in which bonds would be sold (this will assist in planning
for debt service impacts on each year's operating budget and CIP).
• Once the Bonds are sold and the County receives the funds,
disbursements for project expenditures can occur upon the adoption of a
capital project ordinance by the County. The County will then disburse
the bond funds upon receipt of documented project expenditures. This
disbursement process is similar to that used for school bonds approved in
1988 and 1992.
Natural and Cultural Resources
Natural Areas Element of
Orange Cou ty Comprehensive Plan
• Integrates into overall plan the 1988 Inventory of Natural Areas
and Wildlife Habitats and other natural areas initiatives
• Triangle Land Conservancy to complete secondary phase of
Wildlife Habitat Report by August 1998; will be incorporated into
Element
• Draft of Natural Areas Element to be completed by September
1998
• Commission for the Environment to oversee creation of this
Element of the Plan
• 15- member commission appointed in October 1997 to advise
Board of Commissioners on matters of environmental policy,
including water resources, air quality and natural resources
• First monthly meeting held in November, initial meetings dedicated
to organizational and background issues
• In future months, Commission may review and work toward Board
of Commissioners goals for natural resource preservation, water
resources protection, and wastewater treatment system
management
Water Resources Committee
• Charged with investigating ground water quantity and quality
issues in Orange County and developing GIS database of ground
water - related information
• Phase I of Ground Water Resource Investigation completed in
October 1996, with USGS report on ground water recharge rates
in County watershed basins
• Phase 11 began July 1, 1997, expanding investigation with USGS
to include water quality sampling, wellhead protection, educational
programs and refined ground water availability mapping when
completed in June 2000
• Orange County Ground Water Center housed in Soil and Water
District offices, providing service /information center for citizens
with questions about ground water
• Recently completed nomination of Cedar Grove Crossroads Rural
Historic District to National Register of Historic Places; official
listing expected by April 1998
• First group of "Orange County Historic Landmarks" to be
designated by June 1998
• Three National Register studies to commence by May 1998
• Applied for grant to complete National Register nomination for St.
Mary's Road/Trading Path Historic Corridor
Skills Development Center
503 West Franklin Street
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
und:
Departments to offer full time services from this facility include:
Work First Program
Employment Security Commission
Durham Technical Community College
Literacy Council
Joint Orange-Chatham Community Action (JOCCA)
Visiting offices will be available in this facility to accommodate time limited or limited use
programming needs.
Size of facility: approximately 13,230 square feet.
Cost of renovations, approximately $800,000.
Status of the facility:
Bids were received November 20, 1997;
Commissioners have authorized negotiations with the apparent low bidder. Negotiations are
on- going.
Bid award/contract approval by Board of Commissioners anticipated for February 17, 1998.
Anticipate construction to begin no later than March 2, 1998, with seven month construction
period.
Anticipated completion no later than September 30, 1998.
Southern Human Services Center
2501 Homestead Road
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
Background:
Departments to offer full time services from this facility include:
the Department of Social Services;
Health Department Clinics;
Housing and Community Development.
Visiting offices are available in the building to provide flexibility for other time - limited
agency functions and to departments who may maintain an office only one or two
days per week. Visiting offices will be used routinely by:
Child Support Enforcement;
Human Rights and Relations.
The Sheriffs Department will use this facility as a satellite office.
An office will be available for County Commissioners to meet with constituents as well.
A large public meeting room is available in the building. County Commissioners will hold
monthly meetings at this building.
Status of the facility:
The Town of Chapel Hill has conducted final inspections;
The County will petition the Town for a conditional Certificate of Occupancy, pending the
completion of the left turn lane. The left turn lane was a condition of the Special Use Permit
issued by the Town on July 5, 1994.
The County plans to open for business at this location on Monday, March 16, 1998. (Weather
permitting, the left turn lane will be completed prior to opening day.)
RECREATION AND PARKS WORK GROUP
The Recreation and Parks Work Group consist of representatives from the Towns of
Chapel Hill, Hillsborough and Orange County.
The Charge to the Work Group is to update and modify the Master Recreation and Parks
Plan to be a joint long -range capital facilities plan for Orange County, Carrboro and
Chapel Hill and to present the new Plan at the October 8, 1998 Joint Planning Area public
hearing.
The update and modification of the Master Recreation and Parks Plan shall include, but
not be limited to, the following:
1) Update of inventory recreational facilities and opportunities;
2) Update of needs assessment;
3) Development of standards used to determine recreation facility and acreage needs,
and standards for park design. Standards should be developed for use by Orange
County, as well as Hillsborough, Chapel Hill and Carrboro;
4) Utilization of joint siting, designing, and management of school and park sites
across jurisdictions;
5) Development of tangible, realistic parkland acquisition and development goals;
6) Reassessment of service area boundaries for payment in- lieu -of dedication; and
7) Reassessment of dedication provisions related to greenways in the Joint Planning
Area.
The Plan update and modification shall emphasize coordination between the County and
its municipalities and school boards in determining recreation needs, targeting areas for
future park sites, and providing for the joint siting-of school and park facilities.
The Master Recreation and Parks Master Plan Work Group Steering Committee met on
December 18, 1997 to identify the specific topic to discuss during the year.
Orange County Work First
Purpose
Work First is an employment and training program that focuses on work and
personal responsibility in moving people from welfare to work. Work First
helps families move to independence and self - sufficiency.
Orange COunty Work First Profile
(Specific Chapel Hill - Carrboro Data)
Households
Average of 500 on public assistance.
52% of recipients live in Chapel Hill and Carrboro
168 participants must work at least 35 hours per week
Full-time jobs needed for 87 residents in Chapel Hill
and Carrboro
Approximately 520 of the 1000 children receiving assistance
reside in Chapel Hill- Carrboro
66% of people receiving assistance are children
Approximately 400 children are impacted by the work requirements
46% of children are between the ages of 0 -5
The typical Work First participant is a single woman, 24 years old with
two children
50% of participants have high school education or better
Average AFDC payment is $215 a month
67% on public assistance less than 2 years
20.6 %, 2 -5 years
12.4 %, more than 5 years
Refer to Orange County Work First Plan
Contact Gwen Price at 732 -8181, Orange County DS