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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 05-30-2013 APPROVED 9/17/2013 MINUTES BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING May 30, 2013 7:00 p.m. The Orange County Board of Commissioners held a Budget Public Hearing on Thursday, May 30, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. at the Southern Human Services Center in Chapel Hill, N.C. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Barry Jacobs and Commissioners Mark Dorosin, Alice M. Gordon, Earl McKee, Bernadette Pelissier, Renee Price and Penny Rich COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT: COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Frank Clifton, Assistant County Managers Clarence Grier, Michael Talbert and Clerk to the Board Donna Baker (All other staff members will be identified appropriately below) Chair Jacobs called the meeting to order at 7:01 pm. 1. Opening Remarks from the Chair Chair Jacobs reviewed the following items at the Commissioner's places: - Copy of a Statement from Miriam Thompson - Copy of a letter from CHCCS - Letter from Chapel Hill Outreach Training Center Chair Jacobs said this is a recommended budget only. He noted that the Board of County Commissioners is not proposing a cut in school funding; but the state legislature is making cuts to school funding. He said the Board of County Commissioners does not approve individual programs to the schools. The Board gives a per-pupil amount per school system, and the school system makes the decisions on how the funding is dispersed to various programs. 2. Presentation of County Manager's Recommended FY 2013-14 Budget Frank Clifton said if the Board of County Commissioners were to decide to increase funding to the schools or any other county services, there is always the option of raising the countywide tax rate. He said that each one cent on the tax rate generates $1.6 million. He said that if this is done, and the money goes to schools, it is split based on the number of schools in the school systems. He said that the Chapel Hill Carrboro City School District (CHCCS) has a separate district tax. He noted that the proposed budget has about$650,000 in discretionary funds. He said that schools may also use a portion of existing school system fund balances. Frank Clifton noted that there are some debt issuances that lie ahead for the county. He said the county maintains a funding reserve of 17%. This roughly equates to 3 months of operating activity within the county. He said this is important, since the state lags 2-3 months behind, and the county is spending in advance of that. He said the County is near or at debt capacity. He said the Local Government Commission (LGC) is beginning a process to standardize the policies and procedures. He said that this will mean a little less discretion on how the County handles debt. Commissioner Dorosin arrived at 7:13 pm. Clarence Grier presented the following Power Point slides: County Manager's Recommended FY 2013-14 Annual Operating Budget and Capital Investment Plan Guiding Principles • Balances County's operating budget without a property tax rate increase — 5th Consecutive Year • Provides funding for County services at current levels • Funds local school districts enrollment growth, operational funding and debt service. Recommended General Fund Budget • Totals $185.9 million • Represents an increase of$5.9 million from original current year budget of $180.0 million, which is a 3.29 percent increase from previous year original budget • Represents a $6.2 million decrease in the current year's amended budget • Components of General Fund Budget Orange County Budget Past 6 Fiscal Years • Proposed Ad Valorem Tax Rate Effective July 1, 2013 • Proposed tax rate of 85.8 cents per$100 of assessed valuation • This rate produces $137.8 million in property tax revenues for FY 2013-2014 • Overall Real Property Valuation increased 2.7% • One cent on property tax estimated to generate $1,606,869 Orange County Property Tax Revenues Past 6 Fiscal Years Sales Tax Revenues • Recommended Sales Tax Revenues of$17.2 million is $1.5 million higher than the $15.7 million budgeted in FY 2012-2013 due to an expected 2 to 3 increase in consumer spending , and current year projections • Actual sales tax revenues are down over 31% since the peak of$22.5 million in fiscal year 2007-2008 Orange County General Fund FY 2013-14 Revenues • Proposed Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools District Tax Rate Effective July 1, 2013 • Recommended tax rate of 18.84 cents per$100 of assessed valuation • Represents no increase in the property tax rate for the District • Recommended tax rate will generate $19.4 million for the Chapel Hill — Carrboro School District • This represents an additional $1,584 per pupil above the County's allocation • One cent on district tax is estimated to generate $1,029,085 Recommended Funding for Chapel Hill - Carrboro City and Orange County Schools • Total General Fund appropriation totals $87.8 million • Funds day-to-day operations, repayment of school related debt, and capital • Equals an appropriation of 48.1 percent of total General Fund Revenues • Reflects $2.4 million increase from current year General Fund appropriation • Equates to a current expense allocation of$3,188 per student for each of the 19,908 students in both districts for day-to-day operating funds and projected enrollment growth. County Education Funding Additional Funding for Local Schools • In addition to the $87.8 million for operations, debt and capital, recommended budget allocates $1.9 million to fund non-mandated safety net initiatives for both school districts Some of these initiatives are: • School Health Nurses - $683,706 • School Resource Officers - $545,514 • School Social Workers - $692,283 • With these additional non-mandated funding initiatives, the total funding for the local school districts total 49.2% of the General Fund Revenues Major Funded County Initiatives • Maintains all County services at current levels • Funds the increase in medical insurance and fully funds the 401(k)/457 plans for non- sworn employees • A cost of living and in-range increase equating up to 3% in compensation for employees • Provides for and increases in positions for EMS Communicators, a Quality Assurance Training Officer, EMS Assistant Supervisors staggered over the year to address the recommendations of the Emergency Services Study and Work Group • Provides for six new positions in Information Technologies to address the recommendations included in the Information Technology Strategic Plan • Provides funding to the Town of Chapel Hill Library totaling $483,426 • Allocations provided to non-profit organizations total $1,030,100 for FY 13-14. • Long range/pay-as-you go County capital is $620,000. • Debt service for the General Fund will be $25.6 million Orange County General Fund FY 2013-14 Expenditures • Solid Waste Initiatives • The closure of the landfill with public education and other related planning efforts of the landfill in FY2013-14. We expect to incur $3.2 million in closure cost in FY 2013-14. • The planning and design for the Eubanks Solid Waste Convenience Center improvements • New Landfill Mattress Fee of$10.00 per mattress • Recycling Fees - No additional 3-R Fee billings for the upcoming year, which results in a projected revenue loss of$1.1 million, and propose an increase in the Basic 3-R Fee from $37.00 of$47.00 per household • We propose increases in the sanitation household fee to be charged per household as follows: • Rural Residential Increase from $20.00 to $40.00 • Urban Household Increase from $10.00 to $20.00 • Multi — Family Increase from $2.00 to $4.00 Additional Funding Options • Appropriate Fund Balance, if necessary; The Board may use up to $650,000 without a negative impact on fund balance • Property tax increase • Increase in CHCCS Special District Tax Revenues Generated By Property Tax Increase (graphic) Revenues Generated By Increase in CHCCS Special District Tax (graphic) County Capital Investment Plan Concerns and Issues for FY 2014-2015 • Federal Sequestration and State Budget Issues • Debt Service • County Capital Projects • School Capital Projects • Health Insurance • Post-employment Insurance benefit for retirees • Economic Development • Economy • Public Hearings and Work Sessions (All Meetings Begin at 7:00 p.m.) • Document Availability • Clerk to Board of Commissioners • County Finance & Administrative Services Office • Orange County Library • Chapel Hill Public Library • Carrboro/McDougle Branch Library • Cybrary, Carrboro • Orange County Website • www.orangecountync.gov Clarence Grier said that information on the school districts' available fund balances is not included in this presentation; this will be available at the June 6 work session. Frank Clifton noted that some of the unincorporated areas of the County will see a tax rate increase as a result of increases in almost all of the rural fire districts. Clarence Grier noted that there will be work sessions on June 6 and June 11, with a work session and adoption of intent on June 13; and the final adoption will happen on June 18tH 3. Public Comment Yasmine White is the CEO and founder of a non-profit called Voices Together—a music based educational program, serving students in six school districts with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She said there are 1,036 students in the Orange County Schools (OCS) with identified disabilities, and her group comes in with a layered educational program that creates an amazing impact. She said the program has been in OCS for 5 years and has only been able to reach 30 students during this difficult budgetary time. She said that the group has applied in the non-profit category to the outside agency process. She is asking the Board to consider her funding request. Jeff Hall spoke as President of CHCCS PTA Council, and he said Chapel Hill is a special place to live. He said there is a commitment to education in Orange County, and this budget is out of step with their community values and the importance of education. He said this budget does not reflect reality, which is that capital improvement projects in schools have been delayed, and there are many unmet needs. He said everyone knew Northside Elementary school was going to open this year, and fixed costs are on the rise as federal grants end, and the sequester sets in. He said the budget should meet these challenges. He said the Board of County Commissioners is being asked to solve problems caused by other entities. He said this Board has always supported their schools he asks that they fully fund the schools' request. Brian Curran is a member of the Orange County Habitat for Humanity Board, and he is here to pitch their new program called Brush with Kindness. This program provides much needed exterior repairs to existing homes of low income residents. He said efforts are currently focused in the Fairview, Rogers Road and Northside communities, as well as some rural areas of the county. He said the group has requested $20,000 from Orange County through the outside agency process. He said this is the first time this program has asked for funding from the county, and this money would be used to expand the program and complete 15 new projects. He said County funding would be used to leverage other sources of financing. He previously worked for the Chapel Hill Police department for about 25 years and spent much of that time in Northside, where he has watched many changes in this neighborhood. He said he recently participated in a memorable project in that area in which the workers came upon a civil war wall. He said support from the County is critical to the success of the program. Keith Edwards lives in the Northside Community, and he showed a newsletter that neighborhood residents receive each month with news and events. This newspaper has a section called "Ask Keith", in which she tries to find out information and shares it with her community. One question from the April newsletter asked her to share her experience working with the Brush with Kindness program. She said her experience was unbelievable, and she was amazed by the human kindness she received. She said her house and her deck now remind her of the people that helped restore them. She said these people gave her a lifetime gift, and she asked the Board of County Commissioners to support the Brush of Kindness program. She also asked the Board to fully fund the schools. Willie Mae Patterson said she appreciates Habitat and the work the group did around her house and yard through the Brush of Kindness program. She said she hopes the Board will fund this program. Glenda Wade lives in Cedar Grove, and she knew about Habitat through her work with Stanback Middle School. She said Brush for Kindness came out and beautified her home. She asked, on behalf of single parents like herself, that the Board help fund the Brush with Kindness program. She also asked for full funding for the school system. James Stroud spoke on behalf of his mom, who took advantage of the Brush with Kindness program for her home and yard. He said that the work done by this program helped his mother to avoid having to sell her home. He asked that the Board please fund this program. Adward Assure is community development manager for Habitat for Humanity. She thanked all the residents who have spoken on behalf of the Brush with Kindness program. She said this program serves all of Orange County. She said collaboration is a big aspect of Habitat, and the group has worked with many local programs to complete these exterior upgrades. She said that the program continues to grow and thrive. There have been 27 new applications since February of this year. She said the need is high and all resources are put to good use. She said the program gives a way for students and local volunteers to help and to give back. She hopes to double the work done last year and requests that the Board fund this program. Alexis Ross has two children in the CHCCS. She said that school officials have asked parents to be patient as the schools work through cuts made on a national level. She said she feels dismayed that, as the national economy is slowly recovering, the local government wants residents to accept less than the full funding being requested by schools. She represents the Sewall Elementary PTA and said this group of residents is willing to pay higher taxes to accomplish that funding. Jen Bishop is a representative of the Sewall Elementary School Improvement Team and has two children at the school. She asked the Board to fully fund their school's request, even in the face of the state political climate. She said people choose to live in Orange County because of the school systems. She said it is vital that these schools be fully funded. Myles Faith said he represents local residents, and he would like to ask the Board of County Commissioners to expedite the Twin Creeks Recreation Park plan. He said these are beautiful plans for a park that has been called a crown jewel by the Parks Department. He said residents are concerned by the lack of any progress in this area. He said last year there were $1.5 million in designated funds in the CIP, but it is not there this year. He said the bulk of the funding was about$8 million in the later years, and now it has been pushed back to 2018. This was a commitment by Orange County and the Parks Department that would serve the community. He read the goals listed by the Parks Department, and he asked for help from the Board to move forward. Mary Parry lives in Chapel Hill and has three kids in CHCCS. She said she is embarrassed to see our state moving backwards. She realizes this is not the fault of the Board, however the residents are here to ask the Commissioners to step up. She said the County will need to fill in the gaps that the legislature is making, and she said that residents should be willing to pay higher taxes. She encouraged residents to write letters and attend rallies in order to stand up for all of the residents of this state. Emma Parry is a rising 6th grader at Phillips Middle School, and she said her school is known to be in the best school system in N.C. She said that core classes need to stay at reasonable sizes to avoid stretching teachers too thin and losing the quality of education that Orange County is known for. She said spending money on education is important, and she asked the Board to invest in schools in Orange County. Andrea Knight said her family has lived in Orange County for 17 years. She said she and her husband located their small business in Orange County mostly because of the schools. She said that quality education is essential. She thanked the Board for their fiscal stewardship, but said that now the schools need more funding. She asked the Commissioners to please fully fund the schools' requested budget. Her daughter also spoke and said, "if you take care of me now I will take care of you later." Stephen Redman spoke on behalf of Cedar Ridge and the school's request to have an auxiliary gym and classrooms. He stressed that both of these things are needed. He said that teachers are not in this for the money but for the spark in the kids' eyes. He asked for the Board to fund these requests in order for students to have the facilities to move forward with athletics that open gateways to success. Lisa Kaylie is a parent of children in CHCCS, one of whom is special needs. She asked for full funding for their school district. She said that special needs children require more attention in the classroom, and her son needs a teacher assistant in his classroom. She said that a lack of full funding will result in a loss of jobs that will hit special needs kids hardest. She said that her son is high functioning autistic and has an Individualized Education Plan that requires him to have specific support in the classroom. She said this support will not be available in the face of some of the proposed cuts. She said this support is critical in allowing special needs kids to access their education. She asked the Board tom to raise the special district tax in order to pay for full school funding. Lixia Yao lives in Chapel Hill and he said that research done by the National Education Association shows the national average per capita tax revenue of state and local government in 2010 was $4,112; however, this same number was $3,403 in North Carolina, which ranks the state as 35th. He said the average per-student revenue was $12,000 nationwide and only $9,020 in N.C., which ranks the state as 50th. He hopes that Orange County can do its part to mitigate the seeming disproportionate numbers. He said that the county is already paying less personal income taxes while having higher income. He asked for full funding for the schools. Jay Miller said he is on the Arts Center Board, and he has been involved for over 30 years with the center. He said that the center is asking for$10,000 through the outside agency process. He said this will be used for arts and education, and this program is being expanded into three Title 1 schools. He said this money will fund scholarships for underprivileged children. He also has a daughter who is a special education teacher, and he would like to ask for full funding of schools as well. Monica Palmera spoke on behalf of the Jackson Center. She said the center asked for $9000 through the outside agency process for the Jackson Center but funding was denied. She said that the small amount requested funds 5 crucial programs. She explained what the program does, and said that one of the initiatives is the publication of 600 monthly copies of the Northside news, which was mentioned earlier by Keith Edwards. She said that she hopes that her words resonate and that the Board can work with the center in the future. She said that the center is a hub of activity, communication and education, focused on helping area residents that are otherwise not reached and engaged. She said the goal is to contribute to community spirit within the County and be a voice for social change. Cindy Henshaw expressed her support for the school systems and asked the Board to fully fund them. She said she is also here to ask for support for the Arts Center and its afterschool programs, especially for those children with special needs. She said this program develops creativity and problem solving skills, along with encouraging exploration of different art forms and cultures. She said that the Arts Center is a treasure, and she hopes the Board will approve the modest funding request. Margaret Samuels is a parent of a child in the CHCCS. She thanked the Board of County Commissioners for their support of the schools and asked them to continue to support the schools through full funding. She said she would support property tax increases or district tax increases in order to accomplish this. She said this is especially important with the opening of Northside Elementary. She said that creative learning requires teachers and staff who aren't worried about how things will be paid for. She said that the County cannot always control what happens statewide, but it can have an impact for its residents. Heather Moore is a resident of Chapel Hill and is speaking tonight on behalf of the Arts Center. She echoed previous comments and said this program has been extremely beneficial for her son, through exposure to different art forms and the family share night. She asked the Board to fund this program. Gary Wallach has a child in the CHCCS. He asked the Board to fully fund the CHCCS by increasing the special district tax by 2 cents this year. He said this request is due to deep cuts by the state. He said the district is moving forward by supporting professional development in their teachers, and the learning trajectory for students is upward. He noted a request for increases in financing for professional development and said this is partially a result of the of the new common core requirements. He said that the manager's report does not note that there will be an increase in revenue and continued cuts to public education. He urged the Board to allow citizens to help the County move forward by increasing the district tax to fund the schools. Nick Parker is a 6th grader at Smith Middle School. He said the school had a great teacher; but, due to standardized testing, he was laid off. He said many classes have been cut, and opportunities for learning are less. He feels this is because of the increase in testing. He asked the Board to fully fund the schools. Hunter Pendleton is a tech specialist at a local school and an Orange County tax payer. He said he is anxious to pay more taxes for their schools. He urged business leaders to be leaders in supporting public education. Beven Ramsey serves on the Board of Directors of the Arts Center. He said there are plans to bring about some important changes to the art programs for underprivileged children. He said the Arts Center has an annual budget of$1.5 million, of which $89,000 comes from the state and local government. He said that the center accounts for$3 million in economic impact in Orange County, which is more than 3%. He said this investment is consistent with the County's commitment to tourism, and he asked the Board to approve their outside agency funding request. Sue Keith said education is a priority for her family, which includes seven children. She and her husband serve and give back to the community because they have received so much. She is alarmed by what the legislature is doing to education. She feels that the entire county is at risk of losing quality teachers, education programs, and art programs. Though not high income earners, her family supports higher taxes to support education and to fully fund the schools. Mary Faith Mount-Cors is a member of the Carrboro Elementary School Improvement Team. She said her family moved here 9 years ago, and one attraction was the schools. The team represents 630 students and their families, as well as 85 staff members and has requested full funding for both school districts' budgets. She noted that this school is over 50 years old. Recently the school asked Commissioner Dorosin to speak to them in order to learn more about the budget process. She asked the Board to step up and honor the community commitment to quality education. She said that the manager's recommended budget is too little and will not maintain existing programs and teachers. She said it does not cover the cost to open Northside Elementary, despite larger class sizes and cuts to teachers and programs. She said that the requested budget strives to simply maintain the status quo. She is in favor of a tax increase and said this has historically happened every time a new school opens. Jill Simon is a parent of a child in the CHCCS, a former teacher and is involved in the PTA. She asked the Board to fully fund their schools' budget request and she urged the consideration of any tax increases necessary to do this. Calvin Hinkle is a 3rd grade student at Morris Grove Elementary. He said that if the Board doesn't give the schools money, Spanish classes, computers and teacher assistants will be cut. He said that the community has a choice to give the schools what they asked for and he said his parents are willing to pay more taxes to fully fund the schools. Brian Russell said he is within the walk zone of the new elementary school. He has a four year old who will be attending in the future. He is interested in the communities taking care of one another in both school districts. He asked the Board to increase the funding to schools, rather than just keeping the status quo. Lauren Williams thanked the Board of County Commissioners for their hard work. She is a single parent, and her daughter is a rising senior who has had a wonderful education in the Orange County school system. She is worried that others will not have the same education as her daughter was fortunate to have had. She said she can think of no better way to spend her money than to fully fund both school districts. Laura Dougherty is a public school teacher and has two children in CHCCS. She feels it is critical to fully fund the schools, and she is willing to pay more taxes to do this. She noted that N.C. ranks 48th in the nation for teacher pay and per pupil spending. She said that these schools need financial support. Jamezetta Bedford is the Vice Chair of CHCCS Board of Education (BOE). She said she was surprised at some of the items on the CIP at the joint board meeting, including the gym at Cedar Ridge. She said she does support the auxiliary gym. She feels that both school districts have robust sports offering and the extra-curricular involvement leads to better academic performance. Speaking for the BOE, she said the board does not expect to be fully funded when the request is submitted. The request is based on state funding and it is much less than last year. She said the BOE needs the funding to open up Northside Elementary and meet other needs. She said that, whatever amount the Board of County Commissioners' needs to fund both school systems should be attained. She suggested a special district tax. Bonnie Hauser said she feels that the county is too focused on new buildings, campuses and facilities and is not giving enough focus to quality and effectiveness of services. She asked who benefits from the stand alone library in Carrboro and the $11 million expansion to this building. She said that there is much being heard from architects and designers and not enough from major stakeholders and experts on the ground, including agencies, schools and everyday users of County services. She asked that service, and not buildings, be made a priority with stakeholders actively involved in the process. She encouraged more attention to resource sharing and community based services with an explicit intention to support community services. She thanked the Board for pushing back on the project at the Blackwood Farm. She said there is a high amount of concern about the growing interest in a bond referendum and tax increase to fund a list of capital projects that have not had serious discussion about justification or urgency. She asked the Board to look into how services can be modernized, and this might lead to more money being found for the schools. Marilyn McTigue is a long time resident of Bingham Township. She expressed appreciation for the Emergency Services work group that engaged the public, and she said she would like the same process for library services. She said that, despite $25 million invested in new libraries in Chapel Hill and Hillsborough, she has to utilize two library cards and two web based applications to access the full collection. She said that the Chapel Hill Public Library is central to Chapel Hill and Carrboro, and she questioned the plans for the Carrboro library. She noted that many rural residents travel 15 miles or more to access a library. She would like to see the establishment of a library services workgroup with stakeholders from the town and County to devise a seamless library services plan for the entire County. She would like to see Commissioner Rich chair this group; and, as a dedicated library user, she would like be a member. Myra Dotson, representing the Orange County Voice, questioned the rush for a new Board of County Commissioners meeting room in Hillsborough. She asked if this is a good use of space and finances. She said that the Board has many meeting spaces and she asked if there is an overall plan and vision for community operation that is guiding these decisions. She said that the preference is for more emphasis on new styles of meetings, especially with the public. She suggested meetings in the communities at locations near to the issues being discussed. She said this shows respect to the public and engages them in the discussions. She noted the Board's ability to broadcast every meeting and asked that work sessions, retreats and public hearings be broadcast, regardless of location. She said that in this time of budgetary constraint, a new Commissioner meeting room should be delayed until there is a comprehensive plan for all community and county office space. Sam Gharbo asked the Board to support the previously mentioned suggestions about library services. He stressed the need for rural access to library services and suggested access to the under-used Efland Community Center. He said he will apply to a library services work group. Paul Rockwell speaks for Orange County Voice. He said the group supports excellent libraries, schools and social services. He expressed a willingness to pay a premium for good services but not for excess buildings, campuses and facilities. He asked the Board to redirect the focus away from building and more on planning better services. He asked for more partnerships to build better service models and save money. He said that more should be done to engage stakeholders. Kristen Commons has three children in the CHCCS and her family is a longtime proponent of education in Orange County. This is the third time she has come back to Chapel Hill, and she and her husband chose to live here because of the school system. She is concerned about the programming at Northside Elementary school and whether there will be funding to provide programs to reach all of the children, especially those with special needs. She expressed concern with dipping into the fund balance as this is not a sustainable action. She asked the Board to fully fund the school's budget request to maintain the high quality of education. Markus Hoerler said he has children in CHCCS and his family came to Chapel Hill because of the educational system. He asked the Board of County Commissioners to do whatever can be done to fund the schools. He said that the County owes this to the children. Rita Lui is a mother of two students in the CHCCS. She said that this County's schools are among the best in the state. She asked to Board to please honor their commitment to quality education. She said that the manager's recommended budget does not cover the cost of opening Northside Elementary and is $4 million less than what the schools have requested. She said that she is in favor of raising taxes if this is needed to provide the full funding. Miriam Thompson has grandsons in dual language programs in the CHCCS. She said she knows that the Commissioners face awesome decisions and challenges in the struggle to create a budget that is inclusive of all in Orange County. She feels that residents and the Board need to speak out against state cuts to public education and diminishing local power. She appealed to the Board of County Commissioners for their help. Rani Desi spoke on behalf of the Smith Middle School PTSA. She asked the Board to fully fund both school systems, even if it requires an increase in taxes. Victoria Templeton has children in the CHCCS. She said she has been struck by the number of people saying that there is no request for "more" funding. She said everyone needs to stop and look at what has been lost in the last 5 years-4th and 5th grade caps, teacher assistants, school science lab, foreign language classroom, decreased capital budgets, reduced office staff, and outdated buildings and equipment. She said that, despite these conditions, schools have continued to operate and perform at high levels. She said that these cuts have had a damaging impact already, and now there are higher expectations with new curriculum. She said that teachers are supplementing with their own money, while making less; and parents are supplementing schools with supplies in larger and larger amounts. She said that the cuts were initially used to improve efficiency and now it has progressed to cutting essential programs. She read the district education vision statement and asked which of these visions are to be cut. She said that 1 out of 4 students in the district are at risk and she strongly encouraged the Board to do what is necessary to fully fund the schools. Matthew Chamberlain has been living in Chapel Hill for 8 months and has children in CHCCS. His family moved here because of the educational systems. He feels that the biggest infrastructure investment the county can make is to the people in our schools, not the physical buildings. Jane Kerwin said she moved here for the education, and she re-located her family here because of this. She has four children in the CHCCS and she asked the Board to keep funding education. Scott Windham has two children in the CHCCS. He said that residents know that the Board of County Commissioners is not the bad guy. The state is the bad guy. He said the Board needs to fully fund the schools' budget requests. He said that the schools are only asking for the basics, not luxuries. He said appropriately funded schools are an investment, as they turn out citizens with higher incomes who contribute more to their communities. Though he is a fiscal conservative, he is asking the Commissioners to raise taxes to fund the schools. James Easthom has two children in the school system. He asked the Board to fully fund both school systems and suggested a 5 cent tax raise to do this. James Barrett is on the CHCCS Board of Education. He said he is here speaking on his own behalf tonight. He said that it has been 5 years since there has been a tax increase or a per pupil funding increase. He asked the Board to please fully fund their school systems this year. Neal Haze said he took French in both high school and college. He said that there was a student in his senior year college French class who was more advanced in French due to his Chapel Hill school experience in foreign language. He said he supports fully funding the school systems. He said the victory here is not to keep taxes from being raised, but to do whatever is necessary to keep that quality education. Chair Jacobs requested that Clarence Grier distribute the current per pupil amounts to the Board members at the budget work session on June 6 th 4. Adjournment of Public Hearing With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 9:24 PM. Barry Jacobs, Chair Donna Baker Clerk to the Board