HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 20041025APPROVED 12/6/2004
MINUTES
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
WORK SESSION
OCTOBER 25, 2004
7:30 p.m.
The Orange County Board of Commissioners met for a Work Session on Monday, October 25,
2004 at 7:30 pm at the Government Services Center in Hillsborough, North Carolina.
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Barry Jacobs, Margaret Brown, Moses
Carey, Jr., Alice M. Gordan, and Stephen Halkiotis
COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT: Geoffrey Gledhill and S. Sean Borhanian
COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager John M. Link, Jr., Assistant County
Managers Rod Visser and Gwen Harvey and Clerk to the Board Donna S. Baker (All other staff
members will be identified appropriately below).
Chair Jacobs asked for any additions to the agenda and there were none.
1. Appointments
a} Arts Commission -One New Appointment
A motion was made by Commissioner Carey, seconded by Commissioner Brown to appoint
Alice Levinson to a partial term ending March 31, 2006.
VOTE: UNANIMOUSLY
Chair Jacobs suggested asking the Arts Commission to consider enlarging this board since
so many have applied.
b} Commission for Women - Eiaht New Appointments
A motion was made by Commissioner Brown, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to
appoint the following:
Lisa Stifla (Chapel Hill Township) to a partial term ending June 30, 2006
Betty Tom Davidson (Non-Chapel Hill Township) to a term ending June 30, 2007
Cutler Andrews (Chapel Hill Township} to a partial term ending June 30, 2005
Roberta Lee (Chapel Hill Township} to a partial term ending June 30, 2005
Teresa Derrick Smith {At-Large) to a term ending June 30, 2007
Lisa Wilson {Chapel Hill Township) to a partial term ending June 30, 2006
Mary Beth Hernandez {Non-Chapel Hill Township} to a partial term ending June
30, 2005
Vivian Herndon-Latta {At-Large) to a partial term ending June 30, 2005
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
c) Hyconeechee Regional Library Board of Trustees -One New
A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commi:
appoint Gloria Jennings Shanklin to a partial term ending March 31, 2005.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
2. Orange County Hazard Mitigation Plan - Decision
Rad Visser said that this was an item from the mast recent Board of County
Commissioners' meeting. The Board asked the staff to bring back several pieces of information.
The plan has been a joint effort between Orange County, Hillsborough, and Carrbaro. The
Commissioners asked for revisions to the section on chemical spills, particularly as it relates to
chemical storage sites, and there is also mention of nuclear hazards, which was not a
requirement of the State format. Appendix G talks about the County's concerns about nuclear
related threats, including a possible Shearon Harris incident or other loss of containment of
radiological materials.
Commissioner Brawn asked if it would be better if Chapel Hill were in an this with the
County. She spoke to Mayor Kevin Foy and he said that this had not come before the Tawn
Council. Rod Visser said that he did not know about that. It could have been on a consent
agenda. Commissioner Brown said that Mayor Foy was surprised that it was not on a decision
agenda. She suggested that a letter be sent to the Mayor.
Chair Jacobs said that a cover letter could be sent with the plan to Chapel Hill regarding the
appendix.
Commissioner Halkiotis said that the deadline is November 1St and he is happy with this
and the changes.
A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Brown to
adopt the Orange County Hazard Mitigation Plan, in accordance with the resolution as stated
below, and direct staff to submit to the State in compliance with the November 1, 2004 deadline.
A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE ORANGE COUNTY
HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN
WHEREAS, the North Carolina General Assembly passed Senate Bill 300 "An Act to Amend the
Laws Regarding Emergency Management as Recommended by the Legislative Disaster
Response Commission" in June of 2001 that among other provisions requires local
governments to have a hazard mitigation plan approved prior to November 1, 2004 in order to
receive state public assistance funds; and
WHEREAS, in October of 2000 the President of the United States signed into law the "Disaster
Mitigation Act of 2000" {PL 106-390) to amend the `Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and
Emergency Act of 7988" which among other provisions requires local governments to adopt a
mitigation plan in order to be eligible for hazard mitigation funding; and
WHEREAS, the North Carolina Division of Emergency Mangement is assisting local
governments in the formulation of hazard mitigation plans; and
WHEREAS, the Orange County Planning Department and Emergency Management Services
have worked closely with representatives from the Towns of Carrbaro and Hillsborough to
develop amulti-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan; and
WHEREAS, the North Carolina Division of Emergency Management has conducted a review of
the Hazard Mitigation Plan;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Commissioners of Orange County
hereby adopt the "Orange County Hazard Mitigation Plan" as approved by the North Carolina
Division of Emergency Management.
This, the 25th day of October 2004.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
yet.
Chair Jacobs asked Rod Visser to find out if the three municipalities have adopted this plan
Commissioner Gordon arrived at 7:43 pm.
3. Review of County's Debt Management and Capital Funding Policies
John Link said that tonight is part one of a two-part presentation examining the capital and
operating aspects of the County budget in terms of sustainability. The PowerPoint presentation
is shown below. The discussion throughout is inserted after the presentation. Budget Director
Donna Dean made the presentation.
Lang-Range Capital Discussion
Orange County, NC
October 25, 2004
Tonight's Topics
^ Debt Management
Overview of County's current debt management policy
Current debt capacity
Projected debt capacity for 10-year period
Potential future debt consideration
^ County Capital Funding Policy
Overview of County's current Capital Funding Policy
Recap of long-range capital funding from 1988 through 2003
^ Additional Items for Board Consideration
2004 Two-Thirds Net Debt Funded Projects
Operational impacts of Currently Programmed Capital Projects
November 15 Work Session
Discussion of Fiscal Sustainability
County's Debt Management Policv
Attachment 6 of Agenda Packet
(Buff colored paper}
Purpose of County's Debt Management Policv
^ Demonstrates Board's commitment to long term financial planning
^ Provides guidance to ensure County maintains sound debt position and to protect quality of
credit
Current ratings
Standard & Paars - AA+
Moodys - Aa1
Fitch IBCA -AAA
^ Establishes debt parameters and provides flexibility to respond to unforeseen circumstances
and new opportunities
Current Policy Establishes Level of Debt at 15% of General Fund
^ Budgeted debt service payments for fiscal year 2004-05 total $17.8 million
^ Equates to about 13% of total General Fund budget of $136.4 million
Assumption Variables
Annual percentage increase of General Fund budget
7.9 percent
Interest rate for debt issued after July 20, 2004
Range of 5 to 6 percent
Enterprise fund debt not included in this discussion
Has its awn dedicated revenue stream
Debt Issuance Schedules far Maiar School 8~ County Projects
^ September 2002
Total - $112.875 million -includes 2001 voter approved bonds of $75 million plus $37.7
million in alternative financing
May 2004 (Attachment 2 of abstract}
Total - $130.425 million -includes 2001 voter approved bonds of $75 million plus $4.2
million in two-thirds net debt reduction bonds for County facilities and $59.225 million in
alternative financing
Allowed for reallocation of $12.8 million in 2001 voter approved band funds originally
planned for CHCCS Elementary #10 to be used towards construction of CHCCS High
School #3
Increased alternative financing plans to allow for:
Increase of $12.8 million for Elementary #10
Increase of $2.2 million for CHCCS High School #3 smart growth initiatives
Reduction of $1.65 million far OCS Addition to Board of Education
Debt Issuance Schedules for Major School & County Projects
^ October 2004 (Attachment 7 of abstract}
. Total - $130.725 million -includes 2009 voter approved bands of $75 million plus $4.2
million in two-thirds net debt reduction bonds for County facilities and $59.525 million in
alternative financing
.Increases alternative financing amount for Justice Facility from $6 million to $6.3 million
to caner planningldesignfees
In accordance with BOCC approved action on May 18, 2004 and County's 2004-14 Capital
Investment Plan
.Timetables for CHCCS Elementary #10 and High School #3 and OCS Middle School #3
remain unchanged from May 2004 schedule
Board may wish to consider further adjustments to schedule upon receipt of November 15
ten-year certified student membership projections
.Reflects slower than originally anticipated timetables for Homestead Aquatics Center,
Southern Community Park and Affordable Housing
.Does not address requests from both school systems for additional funding for
anticipated budget shortfalls for OCS Middle School #3 and CHCCS High School #3
Annual Debt Capacity Based on Current Debt Issuance Plan
^ Attachment 4 of Agenda Packet
^ Based on current schedule and assumptions, limited flexibility through fiscal year 2007-08
^ Timing of currently programmed projects is critical to future capacity
^ Beginning fiscal year 2008-09, additional capacity realized
Potential Future Debt Considerations
^ Additional funds to complete C?CS Middle School #3 {including smart growth
initiatives)
^ Additional funds to complete CHCCS High School #3
Water, sewer and roads for QCS Middle School #3, CHCCS High School #3, Twin
Creeks campus
^ Animal Shelter
^ Emergency Management Facility
Libraries
^ West 10 Soccer Build-Out
Emergency Communications Linkages
^ Information Technology Infrastructure
For every $1 million in debt, annual debt service equates to approximately $1Q0,000 per
year {'r
County Capital Funding Palicy
Attachment 7 of Agenda Packet
{Turquoise colored paper)
Capital Funding Sources
t U n restricted l
^ One-half cent sales taxes
^ North Carolina General Statutes require that 30 percent of Article 40 sales tax and 60
percent of Article 42 sales taxes be earmarked for school capital projects or debt service on
debt issued for school projects
Capital Funding Sources
{Unrestricted)
^ Dedicated property tax revenue
$800,000 -amount equivalent to debt service payments for retired 1977 bonds
Equivalent of 2.7 cents on tax rate based on 1996-97 valuation
Amount necessary to retire all 1992 School bonds, a portion of the 1997 School and
County bonds, and all 2001 School and County bonds
$50,000 earmarked for Human Service automation projects
$25,000 far Utilities Extension Fund
Capital Funding Sources
(Restricted)
^ Schools
School Construction Impact Fees
Can be used to directly fund increased capacity {"new seats") or to retire debt service
Public School Building Funds
Can be used to directly fund school canstructionlrenovation projects or to retire debt service
^ County
Subdivision Payment-in-Lieu, grant funds, rental revenue and inmate fees (for Jail addition}
Capital Funding Sources
["Hold Harmless" Fundsl
^ Section D of Capital Funding Policv
^ Schools
"The difference between the amount of general obligation debt service payments at the peak
year of the debt schedule and the actual debt service payment will be earmarked far the
Orange County Schools until the time that any shortfall that would have been realized by
that system is made up"
Approximately $13 million dollars to be "made up"
Amount is added to OCS allocation each year until such time the "hold harmless" amount is
fulfilled
Capital Funding Sources
i"Hold Harmless" Funds)
^ Section D of Capital Funding Policv
^ County
The equivalent of one cent an the general fund tax rate to be used far County projects
For first four years that Capital Funding Policy was in place, one cent was set aside in the
School/Parks Capital Reserve
Beginning in 1999-00, one-third of one cent went to School/Parks Capital Reserve and two-
thirds to County capital projects
In light of making up for lost State revenues to fund the annual operating budget over last
two to three years, the dedication of these funds has been suspended
Debt Service
^ Prior to funds being allocated far specific projects, all debt service, including private
placement financing, is subtracted from the unrestricted funding sources.
As an exception, the Orange County Schools are responsible for funding (directly from
their pay-as-you-go capital allocations) the portion of the cast of Cedar Ridge High
School beyond the $12.5 million bonds approved by voters for that school in November
1997
$13.665 million in COPs issued to complete funding of Cedar Ridge High School
Annual debt service payments for current fiscal year are about $1.8 million
Allocation of Capital Funds
"Funnel" Approach
Step 1. Total all sources of unrestricted revenue
Step 2. Subtract all debt service (with the exception of OCS portion of Cedar Ridge High
School debt)
Step 3. Remaining funds are allocated equally between County and School Projects
Step 4. Funding between the two school systems is allocated based on 20t" day student
membership {for example, 20t" day membership for the current school year will be the basis for
allocating capital funding for the 2005-15 CIP}
Step 5. Orange County Schools allocation is {1) reduced by its share of debt service far Cedar
Ridge and (2} increased by "peak debt" amount (when available}
Step 6. Restricted revenues (including "hold harmless" revenues) are allocated to County and
SCh0015
Capital Spending in Other Counties
^ Durham County
^ 2001 and 2003 voter approved bonds totaled $198.7 million
^ Schools received 79.1 °~ of the total or $157.1 million
^ Wake County
^ 68.5°~ of the 2005-2011 CIP allocated to schools (not including Wake Tech)
Additional Items for Board Consideration
2004 Two-Thirds Net Debt Bond Funded Praiects
^ Attachment 8 of agenda packet
^ Two-thirds net debt funding of $4.2 million sold in July 2004
^ Yellow highlighted rows indicate projects that the Board approved for funding on June 23,
2004
^ Unless Board indicates otherwise, staff plans to bring the remaining capital project
ordinances to a future meeting for authorization
Operational Impacts of Currently Programmed County and Schaal Projects
^ Attachment 9 of agenda packet
^ Provides a snapshot of when currently programmed County and School capital projects
estimated to "come on-line" and impact annual operating budget
^ Beginning with next fiscal year, 16 projects expected to be completed and come on-line in
three years
Commissioner Halkiotis asked about something he had read in a couple of local
newspapers that the CHCCS have experienced a net loss of 900+ students in the past school
year. He asked how this would affect the projections. Rod Visser said that the projections
would be in January, but the membership numbers will be taken on November 15tH
Commissioner Halkiotis would like to have an analysis because he is confused. He would
like to see a copy of the report and why there is a net loss of students. He wants to see this
before the Christmas break. He would also like to see how it balances out with the number of
charter school students in bath school systems.
Commissioner Halkiotis said that he could see someone in the audience from the CHCCS
staff shaking his head when he said "net loss". Steve Scroggs of the CHCCS staff answered
that it is not a net loss, but rather the number of students that have left the school system in the
past year. Commissioner Halkiotis said he still wanted the staff analysis because he wants to
get the information from staff and not from newspapers. He applauded the press for putting this
information out.
Commissioner Halkiotis made reference to the bullet that said, "Does not address requests
from both school systems for additional funding for anticipated budget shortfalls for OCS Middle
School #3 and CHCCS High School #3" and asked Donna Dean about this. Commissioner
Halkiotis said that it is not just the two school systems, but also the senior center and other
projects. He said that a group should be set up to look at this issue of construction projects. He
keeps seeing projects downsize because of the rising casts of construction. The seniors want
25,000 square feet for the senior center, but the architect said that it could not be done with the
budgeted amount.
John Link said that it appears to him that elementary school #10 may be delayed. It is
already in the debt schedule, but it might need to be addressed in the short term because of
increased costs of construction for high school #3 and middle school #3 and the senior centers.
He said that the County should not borrow much more money than it has already planned to
borrow. He said that the County could also delay certain aspects of parks and housing in terms
of scheduling.
Commissioner Halkiotis said that he agrees with Chair Jacobs in that he will not vote for
anything that will delay any mare County projects far as long as they have been delayed. He
does not see a problem with being creative with funding projects.
Continuation of presentation
Commissioner Halkiotis made reference to page 7 and the EMS Facility and said that he
remembers Nick Waters telling him that the County lost 7-8,000 landline connections within the
County over the last couple of years because people are using cell phones. He asked if the
County was still getting 50 cents from cell phones and Rod Visser said that some of it goes to
the State and then it is allocated to the counties. He will check on the specifics.
Continuation of presentation,
Commissioner Halkiotis asked about the 1977 bonds and what was left. Rod Visser said
that the bonds are all paid off. Commissioner Halkiotis asked for an explanation of the bullet
that states, "$800,000 -amount equivalent to debt service payments far retired 1977 bonds." It
was answered that $800,000 is still going in to fund capital projects. The capital funding policy
has not been changed, so this provision is still in there.
Commissioner Halkiotis said that every time there is an election in the County, people
throw this up that the County is still paying an the 1977 bonds. He asked that some definitive
statements be written about this.
Chair Jacobs said that maybe the Chair and Manager could look at this and clean up these
loose ends.
Gontinuation of presentation,
Commissioner Brown asked about retiring debt service and Donna Dean said that it means
the County keeps the money to pay the debt. Commissioner Brown asked who decides how
this will be used. Donna Dean said that the schools are using the school construction impact
fees, but this has been used to build new seats. Regarding the public school building funds,
debt is being retired with it, but the amount is being replaced by an amount from the general
fund. Finance Director Ken Chaviaus said that the reason they decided to allocate the public
school building funds to pay debt service was because there was a pot of money the
government was after.
Donna Dean said that two years ago the State took the public school building fund money,
but there were 12 counties that received theirs because they had it dedicated to retire the debt
service.
In answer to a question from Commissioner Carey about the "hold harmless" funds, Rod
Visser said that the origin of this provision was that back in 1996, they decided to use a portion
of sales tax money to cover some of the debt to make it more manageable. This is how they got
to option 5b. Some of the earlier options were not palatable to the OCS, because they would
have lost some capital funding compared to what they had before. This provision was put into
place to attempt to hold harmless the OCS when the 1997 bond-funding plan was put together.
Commissioner Halkiotis said that this is important and he thinks that there is probably not
one person on the school board that knows about this provision. It is important far people to
understand the history.
Continuation of presentation.
Commissioner Brown made reference to debt service and asked if this was applicable to
CHCCS also (referring to OCS being responsible for funding, directly from their pay-as-you-go
capital allocations, the portion of the cost of Cedar Ridge High School beyond the $12.5 million
bonds approved by voters for that school in November 1997.) Rod Visser said that this dates
back to this particular bond referendum and the CHCCS high school was not listed as one of
the intended projects. This was an agreement between OCS and the County.
Commissioner Brown asked why this was not done with high school #3 for CHCCS. John
Link said that the school board made the proposal at that time, and staff did not recommend it.
He would not recommend this for high school #3 because it is too convoluted.
Commissioner Gordon said that she thought this would come up, so she looked back at the
minutes for 1997. This issue was discussed at the June 30, 1997 meeting and Commissioner
Gordon distributed a handout that contained excerpts from the minutes {this handout is hereby
made a part of these minutes by reference). She said that it turns out that she and
Commissioner Carey thought that the County should fully fund the high school and then fund
the elementary school later, when it was needed, instead of including it on the bond
referendum. The other three Commissioners (Crowther, Halkiotis, and Brown} thought that both
of the schools should be included an the bond referendum. The Orange County Schools had
made a special request that both the high school and elementary school be put on the bond
referendum, and that the Orange County Schools would use their pay-as-you-go funds to pay
the debt service for the high school funding that was not included on the bond referendum. The
Board decided by a 3-2 vote to put both schools on the bond referendum.
Chair Jacobs asked if there were any school board members left from that time and it was
answered that there are only two left. He said that it would be useful to the school board for the
County staff to put together these final numbers so that this will be available to other school
board members.
Gontinuation of presentation.
Commissioner Gordon said that in 1997, the bond referendum with County projects,
including senior centers, failed. She asked some clarifying questions, which were answered by
staff.
Commissioner Gordon asked about the park operations base and County storage facility
and what is the $675,000 going to be used for. Purchasing and Central Services Director Pam
Jones said that it will complete the park operations base and it will provide storage for things
such as voting machines and EMS equipment. It will be a metal building with 4,000 square feet
for the park operations base and an additional 3,000 square feet for storage. These are the
initial figures. The estimate is about $50-75 per square foot. The building will be designed so
that there can be additions, if needed.
Commissioner Gordon asked about the two stabilization projects and why it costs so much
for the little house and Cates Farm House. Donna Dean said that these estimates came from
Dave Stancil. Commissioner Halkiotis said that the Cates house did not have a substantial
foundation when it was built, and it will cost a lot of money to bring it up to code.
John Link made reference to attachment 8 and said that all of the projects that are not
colored in yellow are still subject to the Board's final discussion and approval.
End of slide presentation
Commissioner Carey said that the affordable housing groups are maxed out in terms of
what they can construct in the next few years, but the policy was changed to allow for land
banking. He asked if this schedule allows them some flexibility to respond to opportunities far
land banking and Donna Dean said that she would check with Housing and Community
Development Director Tara Fikes.
Chair Jacobs said that the Board set a limit on how much money could go into land
banking.
Commissioner Brown made reference to a discussion a while back about doing projections
of the amount of money the County has lost over the years from various sources. She would
like to see this out five years to see if the trends continue. Jahn Link said that this is part of
stage 2 in the November work session.
Discussion ensued on start-up casts.
Commissioner Halkiotis thanked Donna Dean for her presentation and encouraged the
Manager to consider getting copies to both school boards. He also said that it is valuable to
have County Commissioners' input on these projects before they come back before the Board.
He is still not sure where the County stands on the parks strategic plan piece. He thought that
he and the Chair were going to serve in an advisory capacity, but there has not been a meeting.
Commissioner Halkiotis said that he is at a loss about the senior center. He heard that
operating costs were going to be $300,000+ far the senior center. He asked how much of this
would be reallocation. He said that some of the seniors looked baffled when the architect was
talking about 15 offices for staff, but the medical examining rooms were left out. This is
important to him to have private examining rooms. He does not feel comfortable supporting
something that the Board has not had input on.
John Link assured the Board that there have been no meetings related to the parks
strategic plan.
Chair Jacobs distributed a resolution that addresses the 77-23 split of County and school
projects. He thinks it is reasonable to make a determination that the County is going to have a
stronger commitment to County facilities. This proposal is that, in the next ten years, the split is
60°~ for school projects and 40% for County projects. This will give the County an opportunity
to catch up. Because of the SAPFO, there is a pretty good idea of how many schools are
needed over the next ten years. He thinks the Board needs to state that this will be the policy.
A motion was made by Chair Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Carey to adopt this
resolution, which would set a target of reserving 40% of capital expenditures for County projects
over the decade beginning calendar year 2005, and 60°1o far school projects. The resolution is
incorporated by reference into these minutes.
Commissioner Gordon said that the Board does not usually act on items in work sessions
unless it is specifically placed on an agenda. Chair Jacobs said that he has been suggesting it
be put on the agenda for months and has said that he would be bringing it up at this work
session.
Commissioner Gordon believes that this resolution should have public comment. This is a
big change in policy. She thinks it is important to work on County facilities, but the County has a
State mandate to fund justice facilities and school facilities. She thinks it is unwise to bring it up
at a work session without public comment. This item should be placed on to a regular Board of
County Commissioners' agenda.
Commissioner Carey agreed that it aught to ga onto a Board of County Commissioners'
agenda. He supports the resolution in concept. He thinks the public should be educated about
the history. He said that the policy has constrained the development of the County budget.
Commissioner Halkiotis said that he supports the resolution in principle, but he would prefer
not to vote on it at this meeting. He would like a staff analysis to clearly present that it will not
pose a problem to the schools. He does not think it will hurt the school systems, but he wants
this analysis. He said that Orange County government squeezes the turnip until the last drop.
The phone system is 15 years old and Finance just got a new computer software package, and
for years they did not have the resources to do anything but write checks. Many other counties
and school systems have had updated technology for years. The County has scrimped and
saved and sacrificed so that both school systems could have what they needed. He supports
this, but he wants the analysis to clearly show to both school systems that the County has been
punishing itself. He agreed about having this on a regular agenda.
The Board agreed to have this item on the November 16t" agenda.
Chair Jacobs said that still, the bulk of the money is going to go towards education,
because that's Orange County's commitment. He does not think this is backing away from
school funding, but that the County has been in overdrive to catch up.
Commissioner Brown suggested that staff develop an information piece about the
accomplishments and the SAPFO.
Commissioner Gordon said that the Manager put on the table the idea of taking $12.8
million that was originally approved in the bond referendum for elementary school #10 in
CHCCS. She has great reservations about this approach, especially because there was no
mention of putting the elementary school back into the schedule for alternative financing after it
was removed. The voters voted far this school.
Chair Jacobs said that this money has already been moved. Commissioner Gordon said
that CHCCS now had funding for elementary school #10 in the alternative financing schedule.
She thinks the County should look at other equally extreme measures in other places in the
budget.
Chair Jacobs said that the SAPFO commits the County to provide the money to build the
school when it is needed.
Commissioner Carey said that the Manager mentioned this school as an example of the
way to be creative. There may be other opportunities.
Chair Jacobs said that this is the kind of alarmism that unnecessarily upsets people.
Commissioner Gordon said that she is alarmed, and that is why she stated it.
Chair Jacobs said that if it had been the Orange County Schools, he does not think
Commissioner Gordon would have been bothered as much. Commissioner Gordan objected
and said that she has been a strong advocate of both school systems. She said that she has
voted for increased funding far both school systems. She asked for an apology from Chair
Jacobs.
Cammissioner Halkiotis said that all of these buildings belong to the people of Orange
County. This has been the driving force for him all of these years, but it is not shared by both
school systems and the people that work in the buildings. This does not necessarily apply to
the school board members. It is especially true of coaches because they do not want people in
their gyms or on their fields. He thinks the gyms and fields belong to the people, which brings
up the issue of co-location.
Cammissioner Halkiotis said that he liked what the Manager said about borrowing the
money temporarily from one place to take care of an immediate need somewhere else, and then
putting the money back.
Commissioner Carey made reference to page 7 and the future needs, and said that it might
be time to start thinking about a bond committee sometime early next year.
Discussion ensued on the timing of a future bond.
John Link made reference to Commissioner Brown's comment about financial constraints
of the County and said that six or seven years ago the County adopted the debt policy. Since
that time, many more counties and municipalities have adopted a similar policy. The Local
Government Commission now has, as a guideline, that the local government must have a
ceiling of 15°l0 of their budget far debt. He thinks the Board should be proud of blazing this trail.
He said that this should be pointed out to the citizens as part of the education process.
Chair Jacobs said that he would confer with the Manager about how to proceed.
4. Orange County Percent for Art Program
Martha Shannon made reference to the handout. She said that the proposal is that the
Board adopts a percent for art program for Orange County. This program is modeled after the
ordinance in effect in Chapel Hill. If Orange County wants to adopt this then it will be the
second county in North Carolina to adopt this. Mecklenburg County also has the ordinance.
She explained how the program works in Chapel Hill. Chapel Hill has 1 °~ for arts, which is a
common amount. She said that this is the mast permanent way to ensure that art is included for
the public forever.
Commissioner Halkiotis said that he is supportive of this in principle. He said that he finds
it hard to believe that Chapel Hill is going to spend $420,000 on art initiatives at a public works
garage (he was looking at the sheet}. Martha Shannon said that Chapel Hill is able to pool their
funds to a larger project in another location where it would be better suited. Commissioner
Halkiotis said that he would be comfortable with this.
Cammissianer Carey supports this in concept and would like to have it an a regular
agenda.
Chair Jacobs recognized Ms. Leah Rade, Chair of the Arts Commission.
Chair Jacobs asked for information on how Mecklenburg County addresses schools.
Martha Shannon will bring this information back.
Chair Jacobs said that he is not comfortable using this funding to hire artists from out of the
state. He thinks it should be a part of Orange County's economic development or at least North
Carolina. He would like to have the benefit of seeing the minutes of the Arts Commission
meeting an November 8t". He wauld like to put in a pitch to include writers for consideration for
artists' renderings.
This item will be on a future regular agenda.
A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Carey to
adjourn the meeting at 9:53.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
Barry Jacobs, Chair
Donna S. Baker
Clerk to the Board