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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 20010905APPROVED 1!1612002 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOND EDUCATION COMMITTEE SEPTEMBER 5, 2001 COUNTY COMMISSIONER5 PRESENT: Chair Stephen H. Halkiotis and Commissioners Margaret W. Brown, Moses Carey, Jr., Alice M. Gordon and Barry Jacobs COUNTY ATTORNEY PRESENT: Geoffrey Gledhill COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager John M. Link, Jr., Assistant County Manager Rod Visser and Clerk to the Board Beverly A. Blythe (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. SINCE NO ACTION WAS TAKEN AT THIS MEETING, THE MINUTES ARE ACTUALLY A SUMMARY AND WILL BE FILED IN THE PERMANENT AGENDA FILE Chair Halkiotis welcomed the members of the Orange County Bond Education Committee to this the first organizational meeting. Everyone in attendance introduced himself or herself and stated their particular interest in serving an the Bond Education Committee. Chair Halkiotis predicted that this bond would be successful. He said that we have been able to develop a keen sense of protecting open space and providing monies for recreation and parks. We also need to be successful in our senior citizen effort. On behalf ofthe County Commissioners, Chair Halkiotis thanked everyone far attending. Barry Jacobs said that the County Commissioners appreciate the fact that the citizens are willing to give time and effort to working on this committee. We have been working toward this bond for over a year. This is the largest bond package ever being presented to the voters. This time 63% is for school needs. One of the things this bond package reflects is our commitment to education and addressing the health and safety and well being of our citizens in Orange County. He thanked the citizens for working with the County Commissioners on this bond effort. Commissioner Brown thanked all the members of the Bond Education Committee for working for the next two months on these bonds. She said that it is a dream to fulfill all the needs of our citizens. She is very excited about the passage of these bonds. Commissioner Carey thanked everyone for serving. He said that this would be his 4t" bond. It will require a lot of work far this one to pass but we will do it. Bonds finance the big ticket items that we cannot finance in other ways. He thanked everyone for their energy and ideas. Commissioner Gordon thanked everyone for coming to the meeting tonight and helping with the bond effort. John Link said that staff looks forward to working with this committee. He will focus his comment on financing. He presented some overheads, which gave an overview of the bond referendum process and information on the bond process. In summary, the highlights are listed below: / County's Debt management Policy is Sound / County's Debt Management Policy Provides Benchmarks / County's Currently Authorized Debt totals about 142 million or the equivalent of about 1.6°~ of assessed valuation / Projected Debt Payments for Current year Totals $15.4 Million / Since 1988, Voters have Approved 3 Bond Referenda / November 2001 Bond Package Totals $75 Million / $47 Million for Schools / $20 Million far Parkland, Recreation and Open Space / $4 Million for Senior Centers / $4 Million for Low and Moderate Income Housing / Paying the Debt on $75 Million / Anticipated Tax Impact of Bond on Residents / Addressing Other Priority Capital Needs for Schools and County Rad Visser addressed the structure, timeline and background materials, which were distributed to each member of the Bond Education Committee. He said that there would be 4 subcommittees. These subcommittees will feed information to the Outreach Subcommittee. He introduced County staff members who will support each of these subcommittees. The next scheduled meeting of the full group would be Sept. 26. At that time, each subcommittee will report back to the full committee on the educational materials they have developed for the band. He stressed that the key in using public funds is to educate -not promote the bond issue. What is not permitted is the expenditure of funds to sway a person to vote one way or another. Rod Visser made reference to the information pertaining to the 1997 bond and said that this was provided to give the committee some ideas for educating the public on the bonds. He asked that each subcommittee think of what questions the public may ask so we may be prepared to answer those questions when the outreach campaign begins. He distributed a list of the ballot questions so that the committee members would be familiar with the actual language that is on the ballot. He also distributed a roster of all the members of this Bond Education Committee. He said that Greg Wilder, Assistant to the Manager, would take care of all administrative and logistics for the Committee. Rod Visser suggested that, as the Committee breaks into subcommittees, they discuss meeting dates, choose a subcommittee chair and determine what guidance or help they may need from the County Commissioners or staff. They need to also select someone from their group to serve on the outreach committee. Anyone who can participate on the speaker's bureau would be welcomed. To the extent possible, a County staff member will go with someone who volunteers to speak. Chair Halkiotis clarified that the ban on promoting the bond does not apply to elected officials who may speak out in support of the band issue. Also, other groups that are not part of this Bond Education Committee may advocate for the bonds. Sharron Hinton will take care of contacting civil organizations and other groups for the speaker's bureau. The Orange County Bond Education Committee separated into the various subcommittees and help separate meetings of that group. The staff support took notes and answered questions. The entire group did not reconvene. ADJOURNMENT Vt(ith no further items for the County Commissioners to consider, the meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m. Stephen H. Halkiotis, Chair Beverly A. Blythe, CMC