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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 06-07-2001APPROVED 121312001 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING JUNE 7, 2001 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met for a budget public hearing an Thursday, June 7, 2001 at 7:30 p.m. in the F. Gordon Battle Courtroom in Hillsborough, North Carolina. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Stephen H. Halkiotis and Commissioners Margaret W. Brown, Moses Carey, Jr., and Barry Jacobs COUNTY COMMISSIONER ABSENT: Alice M. Gordon COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Jahn M. Link, Jr., Assistant County Manager Rod Visser and Assistant to the Clerk Nancy Paciga {All other staff members will be identified appropriately below) NOTE: ALL DOCUMENTS REFERRED TO IN THESE MINUTES ARE IN THE PERMANENT AGENDA FILE IN THE CLERK'S OFFICE. Chair Halkiotis informed everyone that Commissioner Gordon had suffered a foot injury today and would not be present and sends her regrets. She will review the videotape tomorrow. APPOINTMENT OF NANCY PACIGA AS THE RECORDER FOR THE MEETING A motion was made by Commissioner Carey, seconded by Commissioner Jacobs to appoint Nancy Paciga as the recorder for the meeting. VOTE: UNANIMOUS CHANGE IN THE BOCC REGULAR MEETING CALENDAR A motion was made by Commissioner Carey, seconded by Commissioner Brown to approve three changes in the BOCC meeting calendar for the remainder of June. The meetings of June 18, 21 and 25 will begin at 6:00 p.m. instead of 7:30. UOTE: UNANIMOUS NOTE: What this means is that the last four meetings in June will all begin at 6:00 p.m. The meetings will be held at the Southern Human Services Center in Chapel Hill. Chair Halkiotis made comments an the procedure for how long each speaker would be allowed to speak. He said that the Manager's recommendation was simply a recommendation and no decisions on the budget have been made by the Board of County Commissioners. He pointed out that the Orange County Board of Commissioners is education-oriented as evidenced by the fact that Orange County leads education excellence in the state. 1. BUDGET PRESENTATION County Manager John Link explained the budget while Donna Dean of the Finance office presented a slide presentation. The highlights of the proposed budget include a general fund budget total of $117.7 million, increases in per pupil funding by $42 per child, 12.5 new County positions, tax increase of 3 cents over the equivalent post-revaluation rate, increase in Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School District tax rate of 2 cents aver the equivalent post-revaluation rate. The County remains in strong financial condition due to adoption of and adherence to sound fiscal policies, strong revenue collections, and a healthy fund balance. The primary source of revenue of the County's budget comes from property taxes, followed by sales tax. Orange County ranks #1 in the state in terms of total contributions toward education. The total funding for education in this proposed budget represents approximately a $4 million increase, which is a 7.5°~ increase overall. There is a trend of widening difference in growth between the Orange County system and the Chapel Hill-Carrboro system. One-half cent has been shifted to current expense from the normal 3-cent earmarking for recurring capital. John Link then explained the formula that must be used by law to fund two school systems within one county. The recommended per pupil allocation is $2,437. He said that the district tax should be reexamined in the Orange County school system. There is now a school health nurse initiative and this year's budget includes $153,726 far the first year of implementation. The goal is to provide a nurse in every school in both districts within four years. John Link pointed out that the Board of County Commissioners is faced with other significant cost increases in the budget - $800,000 in increased Medicaid casts, assumption of the urgent home repair program by the County, increased in funding of mental health, and potential increased funding for child care subsidies. The November 2401 bond will also have same implications. Other issues include Cedar Ridge High School start up casts, the need for alternative solid waste financing, examination of options for EMS transport service delivery, and the update of the County's comprehensive land use plan. Chair Halkiotis said that he does not agree with the projection from DPI of negative 40 students in Orange County schools in the next year. He defended John Link and said that the message came from Raleigh and not the County Manager. He said that these are the numbers that the County Manager was given to work with to come up with the budget. He encouraged those in opposition of the projections from DPI to go and protest at the DPI office. He said that the situation that the County Manager has been put in is dire. He asked the audience to be respectful. Chair Halkiotis also spoke about the district tax that Chapel Hill-Carrboro has and that it has been around for over 50 years. He said that they chose to do that and that he respected that tax and has never envied it, but he respects them for wanting to do that for their schools. He said that this Board of County Commissioners has tried to remedy the equity between the two school systems, but it is not possible when Chapel Hill-Carrboro's district tax generates over 11 million dollars. Commissioner Brown asked the County Manager to make brief comments on the impact fee and the proposed district tax and how these two are implemented. John Link explained how the Orange County School Board would establish the district tax for the Orange County school district. He said that the citizens would have to vote to approve the district tax and it would have to come forth as a recommendation from the school board. The impact fee is used to help address the construction of new schools, which is created as a result of new housing and an increase in student population figures. The impact fee is collected at the time the owner gets the certificate of occupancy. The entire amount goes to the school system for school construction. Commissioner Brown clarified that this Board does not make the rules for the per pupil expenditure. Commissioner Jacobs said that the Orange County Commissioners, for years, have been trying to get legislative authority to change the impact fee to an impact tax.- He said that there were people in the state legislature who do not want Orange County to have an impact tax, and they do not represent this County, but the County is held hostage by them. 2. PUBLIC COMMENTS Kathy Bryan of Orange Enterprises distributed some information. She spoke about the request of $48,000 from the County, which was a $5,000 increase. She asked that the County Commissioners fully fund the request in order to address the Transition program. This program helps students with disabilities in the Orange County schools. The goal is that the students graduate with jobs in the community, and the program is working. She said that whatever happens in Raleigh will determine what happens to her agency. She said that it is a scary time right now and she is being forced to ask the staff to do more with less money. She said that she is going to have to ask the staff to do more with less money. She showed the Commissioners a clock that her organization is using in the current fundraising. She reminded the County Commissioners that Orange Enterprises has grown considerably and that it should be considered in the bond issue. The organization serves a total of 248 people. Chair Halkiotis told Kathy Bryan that the Manager was dedicated to finding a way to fund her request as the report comes to the County Commissioners. Dana Thompson spoke in support of Orange County Schools. She asked that others who were in support of Orange County schools to stand and almost everyone stood in the audience. There was applause and many held signs. She gave many examples of how the school system has been thoughtful and careful in planning. She said that the present budget shortfall, which threatens the opening of Pathways and delays the introduction of Spanish to the schools, is like asking them to rearrange dominos after they have begun to fall into place. She said that dominos represent that we hold in our hands important pieces, and if we want everything to fall into place in a neat and orderly fashion, we each have to play our pieces wisely. Tom Rankin is a parent of two children in the Orange County schools and a member of the Board of the Orange County Education Foundation. He said that he appreciates the tradition and record of the County Commissioners' support for public education. He urged support for the budget for the Orange County school system. He said that 50% of the total County budget for schools was an arbitrary tradition and should be put aside. He said that we must provide our talented, committed administrators, teachers, and staff with the appropriate resources to do the work that they do. He said that investment into the schools was well-placed investment toward the betterment of the entire County. Richard Ward is a parent of two children in the Orange County school system. Several years ago he helped build the video production facility at Efland-Cheeks. He said that his family is disheartened by the Manager's recommendation to drastically underfund the proposed school budget. He said that budgetary considerations should not be based on an arbitrary number, but on the true needs of the students and teachers of Orange County. He said that, under the Manager's budget, the school system could not even meet the legally mandated salaries for the teachers that are currently employed. He said that, even if it requires a modest tax increase, keeping students in school performing to their potential is far less expensive than dealing with the consequences of school dropout and juvenile crime. He said that for over twenty years he has operated a video production company in the Triangle area. Recent technology advances have made it possible for him to consider moving his studio from Qurham to Hillsborough. The proposed underfunding of the County's schools has given him cause for thought about whether this is a wise investment for him and his children. He said that if the school system cannot meet the needs of his children, his family is faced with the alternatives of moving or placing his children in private schools. Claire Johnson said that today she finished first grade and she really likes New Hope Elementary and she loves her teachers. She also would like to have a Spanish teacher because she wants to speak Spanish with her Uncle Carlos from Costa Rica. She also loves special classes like music and art. She asked the County Commissioners not to take away any of her teachers and to make sure there was enough money for the teachers and the special classes. Larry Martin is a parent of two children at Efland-Cheeks Elementary School. He said that the budget that was submitted by the school board had no frills. He is in favor of the school district tax for Orange County schools. Natalie Hough said that she finished third grade today at Grady Brown Elementary School. She said that a lot of teachers have been saying that there is not enough money to do all the work that they are doing. She spoke about her special classes of music and art. She said that if the schools do not have enough money the quality of education would shrink. She asked the County Commissioners to please raise the school budget. Jordan Hester said that the County Commissioners might remember her from the last public hearing. She asked the County Commissioners to please remember her. Stacy Lee said that she has spent the last 24 hours celebrating the many successes of Orange County schools. She said that after 13 years, she has never been more proud to be associated with Orange County schools. However, it was at Stanback today that she heard the comments that she will present. She said that her and her colleagues consider themselves public servants. She said that she was reminded again today that "someone is always watching you". She asked the County Commissioners, as they roll up their sleeves to tackle this budget, that they remember that there are many "someones" watching them. Elizabeth McCue spoke in Spanish. She spoke about the Spanish program at Grady A. Brown. Ida Wistar translated. She said that this year at Grady A. Brown a Spanish program was started that was very successful. During the year, the administration, parents, teachers, and students learned how to speak Spanish. There is also a growing number of Spanish speaking people moving to North Carolina and we want to educate ourselves in this diverse environment. She said that she hopes that Orange County considers extending the Spanish program to other elementary schools in the County. Jill Shatterly, a fourth-year teacher at Efland-Cheeks, said that she did not graduate today as many of the elementary children in the room had, but she did recently earn career status as a teacher. She said that in Orange County there is a tradition of support for education and for teachers. She said that she is proud to live and work in a place where there is such support for teachers. She said that the proposed budget would not support Orange County's tradition so much. She asked the County Commissioners to da what they could to continue the tradition of support. Denise Best brought a young man up with her named Larry. Larry asked the County Commissioners to please support the budget in the Orange County schools. Denise Best spoke about Larry and said that he has been in Durham County schools and the Charter Schools. She said that the reason he had an A- in math was because of the resource teachers in Orange County that helped him close the gap. Shannon Elliot said that she wants to be a teacher and an artist. She asked the County Commissioners to please support the Orange County school budget in full. Victoria Mattison spoke about Pathways Elementary and that it needs to be fully opened and operational. She said that Orange County is number one in the state in giving to the schools. She asked the Board of County Commissioners to go far and beyond that and to think of all the children and teachers. She said that this was the last day of school and although these students should be watching television and the teachers should be resting and putting their feet up, they are here tonight instead. She asked the County Commissioners to let everything go smoothly so they do not have to worry about opening Pathways. Carol Elliott asked the County Commissioners to fully support the Orange County school budget. Suzanne Phipps, a parent of a child at Grady A. Brown spoke about a double message that is being given to our children. She said that we tell our children that education is important, but the budget cut demonstrates that education is not important. She said that the message with the strongest impact is the one that is demonstrated rather than spoken. She said that education is not important, but a priority. Greg Britz spoke about the changes that are coming and the things that we need to do to make the County a better place to live. He said that education should be thought of more broadly and as an investment in the future. He spoke about changing same of the statutes and laws, or whatever it takes to come up with the necessary funds. Sonia Peedin spoke about needing a Spanish teacher at New Hope Elementary School. Florence 5oltys, Chair of the Advisory Board on Aging, thanked the County Commissioners and the County Manager for the support of the Master Aging Plan. She reminded the County Commissioners that we are moving up to 14,000 senior citizens in Orange County. She asked the Board of County Commissioners to think about the seniors and the changes they have brought about in Orange County. She said that people who do not think about history do not think about the future either. She spoke about the adult day care senior center in Northern Orange County and the $50, 000 that is needed for this facility. She ended with a poem. Mariah McPherson commended the County Commissioners, the County Manager, and the County staff for their work. She said that she supports the schools, but there are people that are aged and need things. She spoke in support of the adult day care for seniors in Northern Orange County and the $50,000 needed. Jack Chestnut spoke about the adult day care center. He said that this center would promote social, physical, and emotional well being. The program will also provide transportation to the facility. There will be breakfast, lunch, and snacks served at this facility. He said that without this facility there are many elderly people who will be sitting home alone. Sean Smith spoke in favor of the Orange County school budget being funded in full. He spoke specifically about Pathways Elementary School and said that in last year's budget, there was the knowledge, and he assumes the commitment, that Pathways would open fully in the 2001-2002 school year. As he understands the Manager's budget for Orange County schools, Pathways could not be opened fully next year. He said that there were children going to school in mobile classrooms. He said that in last year's budget he saw a commitment on the part of the Commissioners to open Pathways fully. He is asking the Commissioners to follow through on that commitment in this year's budget. He said that his children would be going to another elementary school as part of the redistricting. He said that the redistricting plan is dependent an the full opening of Pathways. He said that if the superintendent's budget was not funded, none of what his children are expecting next year will happen. Keith Houck is a parent of children in the Orange County school system. He said that he strongly supports approval of the complete budget request of the Orange County school system, and he also supports exploration of new revenue sources for the Orange County school system to fund education improvement for the future. Dan Cheek was signed up but was not present to speak. Kathy Hartkopf said that she moved here from Durham because the Orange County schools have been first and because the Orange County Commissioners have made them that way. She appreciates the commitment to the schools. She pleaded with the County Commissioners to not let them down this year. She is overwhelmingly pleased with Hillsborough Elementary School. She believes in public schools and strongly supports the school budget as recommended. She said that she understands the need for the 50°1° cutoff, but apparently 50% is just not enough. She said that 50% is not actually the law. Lori King, a parent at Hillsborough Elementary School, said that she just wanted the Board of County Commissioners to know that she supports the Orange County school budget. Arlene Furman was signed up but was not present to speak. Matthew Freytag, a parent of two children in the Orange County schools, spoke against the proposed cuts in the Orange County school budget. He said that the proposed budget requires a 10°!° cut in everything that the schools do if the required cost-of-living salary increase is implemented. He said that the district could cut all physical education in all the schools and still not come close to coming up with enough funding. He said that Spanish was not a frill anymore, as the shooting at La Hacienda Restaurant recently proves. Evidently a customer came to pick up family photos but there was an argument and the police officer did not understand Spanish. If the police officer had known Spanish, there may not have been the misunderstanding. He urged the County Commissioners to fully fund the Orange County school budget. Julia Workman, a parent and a teacher in the Orange County schools, said that when she first came to Orange County she thought that the school system was pretty good. There were some problems, the computers were old and there was not much software or training. She said that the technology is now fabulous and the resource teachers are making a difference. She believes that the Orange County school system is on the brink of something amazing. She said that the commitment from school staff, teachers, parents and the administration is high. She challenged the Board of County Commissioners to think outside the box and find a solution to the funding problem. Deb Sievert thanked Orange County and said that she is really, really proud of the school system and thanks them for training her. She encouraged the Commissioners to fully support both school systems' budgets. She is really interested in the opportunity to vote for a referendum for a district school tax. Michael Janes, a parent of a child in the Orange County school system, said that he is very happy with Hillsborough Elementary and he cannot say enough good things about it. He is in support of an adequate budget for the schools. Libbie Hough, a parent of two children at Grady Brawn Elementary, said that she is happy that the two school systems collaborate. She said that she also spoke at last week's budget public hearing and she has been thinking of some ways that the school budget can be funded. She said that she wonders with the healthy fund balance that the County has, whether a contingency fund that could protect both systems could be put in place in years when DPI underestimates the number of students expected the following year. Regarding school nurses, it is her understanding that the Orange County system pays 70°~ of the funds needed for the nurses, whereas, the Chapel Hill-Carrboro system pays 50°~ for their nurses. The remaining funds come from the County. She wonders if it would be possible for both systems to fund the school nurses by 50°l0, which would ease Orange County's school budget about $100,000. She also proposed that a task force of citizens from Northern and rural Orange County residents be established to look at ways to take an active role in increasing funding for the schools. Anne Medenblik, a parent of two children at Hillsborough Elementary School, said that they were thrilled with the school. She is a former educator and spends as many spare moments at the school as she can. She hopes that the school can continue to teach children Spanish and any other languages. She spoke about the needs of the facility at Hillsborough Elementary. She said that Superintendent Bridges' proposed budget was not outrageous. She thanked the County Commissioners for their past support of education and requested that they consider Superintendent Bridges' proposal. Mel Snyder spoke about insufficient funds at New Hope Elementary as an Orange County taxpayer. He said that the County Commissioners have allocated a tremendous amount of taxpayer dollars to get education where it is today. He said that, if funding is slowed now, many of those dollars would go to waste. He said that he cannot fathom the thought of standing here a year from now to ask the Board of County Commissioners to fund an education disaster recovery plan. Melissa Baity said that she was a product of the school system of Orange County. She has one child in the Orange County school system. She is in favor of Superintendent Bridges' budget. She said that the Spanish program was phenomenal. She asked the Commissioners to keep the kids in mind and make it happen. Dean Zehnder, a parent of a child at New Hope Elementary School, said that the budget does not meet the needs of the students in Northern Orange County. He said that the proposed budget provides only a fraction of the needs. The advertised budget is only atwo-percent increase, which is actually a cut and requires the Orange County system to slash existing programs. Regarding the DPI's forecast of a loss of 40 students next year, he said that, in the wake of the end of grade test fiasco, it may be wise to check their math. Kellie Kimbrough, a representative from Efland-Cheeks Elementary School and soon to be Central Elementary School, brought 162 surveys from parents requesting Spanish instruction for next school year. She gave the surveys to Chair Halkiotis. Sybil Sink spoke representing the School Governance Committee at A. L. Stanback. She is the mother of three Orange County students. She is representing hundreds of other parents in Orange County and requested that the County Commissioners approve the budget request as originally submitted by Superintendent Bridges. She said that the proposed 15°~ increase was desperately needed for the schools, especially with respect to teacher supplements and incentives. She said that we must be able to attract and retain quality and gifted teachers for Orange County students. She urged the County Commissioners to please find a way to fund Superintendent Bridges' budget request because the teachers need it and the students deserve it. Bob Shreiner, Acting Chair of the Chapel Hill Public Library Board of Trustees, thanked the County Commissioners for last year's support. The funds were used for books, reference resources, and Internet access. They asked for increased library funding for all citizens of Orange County and mare equitable support far the Chapel Hill Public Library. He said that Orange County residents that do not pay Chapel Hill taxes constitute 37% of the Chapel Hill Public Library's use. However, Orange County provides only 14% of the library's funding. The service highlights include the largest circulation of books in the state of North Carolina. With the Board of Trustees, the Town Council is reviewing the 1999 Library Needs Assessment Task Force that will specify service needs and there will be a report later this year. He said that Chapel Hill Public Library provides significant services to residents of Orange County. He said that there continues to be an inequity between County funding for Chapel Hill Public Library compared to library use by non-Chapel Hill, County residents. Melissa Bryant is a parent of a child at Cameron Park Elementary School. She urged the County Commissioners to allocate enough money for the Orange County schools to hire and keep enough teachers to keep the class sizes small and enough money to hire afull-time Spanish teacher for each elementary school. Curry Bryant said that she just finished the first grade at Cameron Park Elementary School. She said that she loves her school and she wants it to be the best. Janet Kendall is a parent of a child at Cameron Park Elementary School. She said that she missed her son's last T-ball game to be here tonight because the funding for Orange County schools is an important issue to her. She attends PTGO meetings faithfully and volunteers whenever she can. She said that the recommendations of the Manager will not work and will not even cover the salary increases for current employees. This is not acceptable to her. She spoke in favor of the 15°~ increase in the budget. Phyllis Nemcheck, President of the PTSA at A. L. Stanback, has five children in Orange County schools and will soon have six. She said that they chose to live in Orange County because of the great schools and because Orange County cares about the schools and the children. She asked the County Commissioners to please not cut the funding from the schools. She said that the children deserve only the best. She said that the Spanish classes were needed in all of the elementary schools. Mitch Cox, teacher at Orange High School and a parent of two children, encouraged the County Commissioners to support the budget request of the Orange County schools. Theresa Cox, a parent of two children in Orange County schools and a third grade teacher at Hillsborough Elementary, said that she was very proud to be an Orange County educator. As a teacher and a parent she asks her children to give 100%. She asked the County Commissioners to do the same and fully fund the budget as proposed by the Superintendent. Andy Anthony was signed up but was not present to speak. Tam Metzguer said that he was willing to pay mare taxes, such as a local district tax in Orange County so that the schools can have what they need. Rick Freeman, principal of Orange High School, said that it has been a wonderful year. He said that the teachers do what they do out of a labor of love because they are committed to what they do for the young people. He said that he tells the staff to always be there each day because if they are not, it is a day lost for a student. He came from Georgia, and just like North Carolina, the state Department of Education in Georgia makes mistakes. He said that the school system that he came from spent 76% of its tax money far education. He said that the program in Orange County was wonderful and he would like to keep it that way. Ann Chockley, a teacher at Orange High School and the chair of the math department, said that she has spent many hours going through an arduous process in coming up with the budget. She said that she had to pare her department's budget even before it was sent to the school board and that it was bare bones. She does not agree with a projection from DPI of a negative 40 students in the Orange County system far this year. Christine Westfall, from the Orange Community Hauling Corporation, read a letter from a new homeowner. The homeowner used to commute 40 minutes because she could not afford to live close to where she worked. The homeowner also has a school-aged child and was not able to spend much time with him because of the tang commute. She said that having affordable housing in the community is very important for the growth and wellbeing of the children. The homeowner now lives at the Legion Road Tawn Homes, which is a 12-minute commute to work. Alison Weiner, Chair of the Community Land Trust In Orange County, spoke about local funding of affordable housing efforts. She gave three facts that were supported by the recent Affordable Housing Task Force report: 1. Our community clearly values and cares about meeting the needs of all folks along the housing continuum. 2. There is an undeniable and increasing need for safe, decent, and affordable housing throughout the housing continuum from single-occupancy units to single-family dwellings. 3. We are unable to develop housing to meet this need without subsidy. If it could be done, the private sector would be developing it. She spoke in favor of implementing the recommendations of the Affordable Housing Task Farce, which include developing and allocating a dedicated local housing fund as well as County bond funding and developing and supporting the capacity of non-profit and other willing providers to cooperatively plan, develop, and maintain affordable rental and owner-occupied housing. She suggested committing more local funding to affordable housing to develop long- term affordable lifestyles far the citizens. Judy Braman asked the County Commissioners to not allow these kids to ga backwards. She mentioned three teachers that mean a lot to her because they are the teachers of her children. She spoke as a finance director and asked the County Commissioners to search behind the numbers and the graphs because she knows they can be tweaked. Anne Stewart was signed up but was not present to speak. Rosalind Council spoke in support of subsidy funding far early childhood education. She said that there was a crisis in North Carolina because of their Smart Start program. She said that subsidy funding supports parents being able to work and having good childcare. She said that when she had cancer, subsidy funding allowed her to have good childcare. Her son has also received many services through subsidy funding. She spoke about a person she spoke with that only works to receive the health insurance for her family because all of the money she makes goes to paying for childcare for her three preschool children. Steve Lockwood, a parent at Hillsborough Elementary School, said that he is extremely proud of Orange County schools. He fully supports Superintendent Bridges' 15°~ increase. He is willing to give $100 of his federal tax refund to the budget. Cindi Chamberlain, parent of a student at Hillsborough Elementary School, is in support of Superintendent Bridges' proposed budget. She asked that when the County Commissioners are in their budget discussions that they make good choices for the children. Martha Stucker, the nurse representative on the Orange County Board of Health, thanked the Board of County Commissioners for their support. She spoke about three critical areas of need in the Health Department. 1. Assistance for the citizens with limited English proficiency. There are 4,945 people of Asian descent and 5,273 people of Hispanic-Latino descent in Orange County. The Health Department projects that it will see 500 clients this year with limited English proficiency, most of whom will be Spanish-speaking. The dental clinic has a waiting list because there are only two days per month scheduled for Spanish-speaking people to have appointments. 2. Increased costs of providing clinical services to residents who cannot access other health care services in the area. The cost of pharmaceuticals has increased as well as lab services. 3. Request of an increase of two part-time positions to full-time status, and that two other positions in the dental health also be increased. Sharon Van Horn, a member of the Orange County Board of Health and a pediatrician, advocated for three Environmental Health Specialists positions. The first position is in the Wells and Waste Waters Program. This position will allow for more one on one time and assistance to citizens that may have difficulty understanding the requirements of the siting and installation of septic and well systems. This program is currently only 61 °~ self-supporting. The Board of Health is recommending fee increases to recover approximately 90°~ of the cost of the program so that the net cost to the County for adding this position will be minimal. The cost will be borne by the people using the services. Fees will be increased if the new positions are approved. However, if the Board of County Commissioners does not fund the extra positions, she will advocate a reduction in fees to the clients because the services they will be receiving will not have improved. The second position being requested is for an Environmental Health Program Specialist for the Food, Lodging, and Institutional Inspection Program. It is estimated that over 40°~ of a family's food budget is spent in restaurants and on carry-out foods. She ran out of time and did not finish her presentation. She said that she wished we lived in a world where money did not determine health, housing, ar education. Kate Wilder, a veterinarian representative on the Board of Health, spoke in support of the Animal Control division of the Health Department. She said that the standard of services is high and consistent. One of the major needs is the re-siting and redesign of a new animal shelter for Orange County. The lease of the current shelter expires in 2007. She urged the County Commissioners to carefully consider all of the needs of the Health Department as they make their final determinations. Shelton McCray and Arne Johnson were signed up but were not present to speak. Diane Rocker spoke in favor of the school budget. She is a parent of two children. She said that it was important to fund Pathways Elementary so that they can operate at 100°~. She urged the County Commissioners to carry through on their commitments. Tina Farmer spoke in support of the Orange County schools budget. She volunteers 25 or more hours a week at an elementary school. She feels it is best for the students and teachers to have small class sizes. She is baffled about why the school budget is going to be cut because she will be paying more taxes this year in Orange County. She said that any builder will tell you that you cannot cut corners on the building of a foundation. Education forms the foundation. She asked the County Commissioners to please put on some "long-term vision" glasses and think ahead 25 years and think about who will be running things then in the County. She thinks it is in the best interest of Orange County to have the best possible education for the children. Jordan Farmer, a rising fifth-grader at Cameron Park Elementary, said that she loves going to school. She said that she needs the best possible education today if she wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up. Danielle Farmer said that Cameron Park Elementary has great teachers. She thinks the teachers deserve some credit. She is in favor of the Orange County school's budget request. Bob Bateman said that this is the smallest increase he can remember being recommended for the schools. He said that there have been plenty of people itemizing various programs and one gentleman even offered to give $100 of his tax refund. He said that he is not in favor of increased taxes or a district tax and he thinks this can be worked out without doing that. He does not understand why we are hung up on the 49% percent. He mentioned the 12.5 new positions in the County that have been proposed and said that we cannot even open our new school. He does not support the budget at the board level. He said that it was unreal to go from a 15% increase in the budget to a 2% percent increase. Deryle Daniels is a parent of three children in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro school system. He is in full support of Superintendent Pedersen's and Superintendent Bridges' full request. He said that our children spend mare time with the teachers and the staff of the schools than they do with siblings and parents. This means that we depend on other people to mold and take care of our children and to teach them what they need to knave to grow up to be responsible and productive adults. He said that we need more parents involved in the schools and that kids will achieve more if more parents would be involved. He said he does not want any mare far his children in Chapel Hill than he does for the children in northern Orange County. He wants the Board of County Commissioners to look in their hearts and to come together in this thing. Edie Allen, President of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Public School Foundation and a parent and volunteer in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro school system, spoke in support of full funding for the school budget. She said that the school system has respectfully submitted a realistic budget in a crucial year. She said that, in her memory, they have never received full funding and she encourages the Board of County Commissioners to do so even if it means going over 50% of the total budget. She said that 735 volunteers worked in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City school system this year. She said that investing in volunteers is a way to leverage minimal resources for maximal return. Susan Anderson spoke as a resident of Orange County far over 40 years. Her daughter is a rising senior at Orange High School and she is very concerned about the lack of funding suggested for the Orange County schools next year. She made reference to the projections from DPI and said that it was hard to believe that there were no school-aged children in the new neighborhoods in and around Hillsborough and Orange County. She said that the 2°~ increase would not cover the teachers' cost-of-living wages that the schools are obligated to give them. She said that the difference between the requested 15°~ and the suggested 2°~ raise is monumental and cannot be tolerated by the students, parents, and educators of Orange County. Dani Black, a parent of two children at Hillsborough Elementary School, asked the County Commissioners to do whatever it takes to fully fund the Orange County schools budget. She said that a Spanish program is not a frill, it is a necessity. She said that you cannot raise a family on a teacher's salary and that is a crime. She said that she would ga to Raleigh if that is what is needed. She said that they were willing to do whatever it takes to fully fund the school budget. Diana McDuffee spoke in favor of the proposal for the Orange County public library's "cybrary" in the Carrboro Century Center. This facility is proposed to be primarily an Internet library and is very strategically located in downtown Carrboro. The facility is also easily accessed by several public lines of transportation. She is proposing to share the cost of the "cybrary" between Carrboro and Orange County. Carrboro will provide the space, the computers, and the operating funds for the space. They are asking that Orange County and the Orange County public library provide the staffing for the "cybrary." She proposed that the "cybrary" be a branch of the Orange County library because Carrboro cannot do this alone. She said that they could start small with limited hours and she thinks they ought to move on this now while the space is available in the Century Center. She said that this was a good opportunity. Mary Jo Sheridan expressed appreciation far the Orange County School Board and their hard work. She hopes the County Commissioners will reconsider the numbers and the recommendation and work hard to try to find a way to fully fund the school budget. She thinks it is time to seriously consider a district tax. William Pfeiffer spoke in support of Superintendent Bridges' budget. He said that if the money is not put in now, it would be needed later. He quoted Mark Twain as follows: "Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest." ADJOURNMENT With no further items to discuss, a motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Brown to adjourn the meeting at 10:35 p.m. VOTE: UNANIMOUS The next meeting is scheduled for June 12, 2001 at 7:30 at the Southern Human Services Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Stephen H. Halkiotis, Chair Beverly A. Blythe, CMC