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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 19890613 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BUDGET WORK SESSION JUNE 13, 1989 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met on June 13, 1989 at 6:30 p.m. in District Courtroom, Orange County Courthouse, Hillsborough, North Carolina for the purpose of holding a work session with the two school systems on the Manager's 1989-90 proposed budget. BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Moses Carey, Jr. , and Commissioners Stephen Halkiotis, John Hartwell, Shirley E. Marshall and Don Willhoit. STAFF PRESENT: County Manager John M. Link, Jr. , Assistant County Managers Albert Kittrell and Ellen Liston, Clerk to the Board Beverly A. Blythe, Finance Director Ken Chavious, MPA Intern Beth McIver and Budget Analyst Donna Wagner. NOTE: Copies of both school budgets are in the permanent agenda file in the Clerk's Office. CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO SCHOOLS Superintendent Gerry House went through the budget document as it was presented to the County Manager. She explained the philosophy behind the budget request as submitted and reviewed some of the specific items in the budget. The total local budget -- all sources of local revenue -- is $12,181,686 which represents a 10.85% increase over last year. She explained the continuation budget as well as the expansion projects. Board Chair Ted Parrish emphasized that the County Manager' s recommendation for $25,000 for the expansion items is not enough. Although he understands the desire of the Commissioners for equity, he feels the district tax should be increased to provide the money needed for the expansion items as requested in the budget. Commissioner Willhoit questioned the 25% for fringe benefits. He asked about the salaries of administration versus the salaries of teachers. Board member Sue Baker explained that what they are trying to do is to bring the teachers up to a livable wage so that they do not have to leave the classroom in order to support a family. The assistant principals are not making as much as the classroom teacher. Also, the supplement is higher for a classroom teacher than for an assistant principal. Discussion ensued on the co-curricula supplemental schedule. Gerry House explained that the main reason for this schedule is to increase overall compensation for the number of hours put into an activity. This schedule will also correct some of the inequities in the present schedule and includes supplemental pay for those extra activities that are vital parts of school such as Latin Club, Math Club, etc. Ted Parrish emphasized that they are very serious about wellness and have initiated some activities that do not take away from the productivity of the day and hopefully their involvement will enhance productivity. Gerry House mentioned that in the recommended budget it is suggested that they take $80,000 from their fund balance to put toward the expansion budget. Even with this additional money, it would leave them about $150,000 short of the expansion budget. Commissioner Willhoit clarified that what Chapel Hill-Carrboro Schools had requested was $10,514,000 and the Manager's recommendation was $10,180,000. Discussion ensued on the increase in enrollment and what makes up the tax base in the County. They discussed the importance of economic development for increasing the tax base and thus increasing monies for quality education. ORANGE COUNTY SCHOOLS Superintendent Dan Lunsford highlighted the budget message as written in the budge Is document. He talked about the Basic Education Plan and the implications of it not bein funded this year. One aspect of this plan which places a negative impact on the Orange County System is that of funding assistant principals. Because of the formula Orange County will lose the funding for two assistant principals. These are included in the expansion request though in reality they are continuation of the present situation. The 6% salary increase is composed of 4% from the continuation budget and 2% from the expansion budget. Dr. Lunsford made direct reference to the Manager' s recommendation and stated that the recommendation will allow them to continue what they are doing, provide a 6% salary increase, and pick up on local funds with a deficit of approximately $7,000. He referred to the continuation budget, emphasizing that there would not be funds to cover the majority of the items in that budget. Options have been discussed, including the additional use of their fund balance. They have already put a $250,000 appropriation from fund balance into their request and the County staff has suggested that they could appropriate another $150,000. This could be done but it would be risky. Money has been included in the budget for additional support services, as well as, pay improvement for the classified staff and an increase in the supplement. He also talked about the impact the decision on the Career Ladder will have on the teaching staff. With reference to capital, they had requested $961,000 and the Manager has recommended $750,000. He does feel this $750,000 amount needs to be reexamined in the future. He stated the Orange County System has complied fully with all the regulations on asbestos. The estimated cost for removal of all identified asbestos material is $846,000. He suggested accomplishing this removal over a period of time concentrating on those facilities where renovations will occur. School Board Chair, Dr. Kay Singer, stated that the support positions requested in the budget are critical to the ongoing efforts of the system. They have been able to increase the supplements for the classified staff, however they need more money for the enhancements. Commissioner Marshall noted that when discussion was held two years ago on the supplemental pay for Chapel Hill-Carrboro teachers in relation to the Career Ladder, that both Gerry House and Sue Baker indicated that the whole issue of supplemental pay would have to be reviewed when the Career Ladder was approved statewide. Dr. Halkiotis stated that this year Orange County has reduced their dropout rate by one third. This will have a bearing on the projected enrollment. Discussion took place on the Kidscope program and their contractal arrangements with the school. They talked about mandates to identify those preschoolers who may have developmental or other problems. John Link stated that there will be $713,000 available this coming year for removal of asbestos. There being no further items to discuss, Chairman Carey adjourned the meeting. The next meeting will be a public hearing on the budget which will be held on June 14, 1989 at 7:30 p.m. in Superior Courtroom. Moses Carey, Jr. , Chairman Beverly A. Blythe, Clerk MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING JUNE 14, 1989 The Orange county Board of Commissioners met on June 14, 1989 at 7:30 p.m. in the Superior Court Room, Hillsborough, NC for the purpose of holding a Public Hearing on the budget. BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Moses Carey, Jr. , and Commissioners Steve Halkiotis, John Hartwell, Shirley Marshall and Don Willhoit. STAFF PRESENT: County Manager John Link, Assistant County Managers Ellen Liston and Albert Kittrell, Clerk to the Board Beverly Blythe, Budget Analyst Donna Wagner, MPA Interim Beth McIver, Personell Director Addie Wright-Turner, Finance Director Ken Chavious, Purchasing Director Pam Jones, EMS Director Nick Waters, and Social Services Administrative Officer Rick Poole. Chairman Carey opened this Public Hearing at 7:30 p.m. County Manager John Link made a presentation as contained in the recommended budget document. Commissioner Marshall asked Mr. Link to breakdown the increase in positions according to those positions that come from mandated needs, such as Social Services, and those positions that come from county priorities. Commissioner Hartwell stated that Orange County is estimated to have spent 134 million dollars on military for the last budget year. That is 3X's the county budget. He pointed out that as a nation our priorities are out of order. THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS OPENED FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS Dr. Bill Hollister, a member of a voluntary citizens organization associated with Orange Pearson Chatham Mental Health Center, stated that the is understaffed in the area of child mental health. He also mentioned that he outpatient clinic size and operation is still at the 1985 level, although there is a 42% increase in the number of citizens asking for services over last year. He asked for a explanation for the fact that the Mental Health staff have a 16% lower average income than the county employees in comparable positions. Mr. Ralph Warren, a member of the Orange County Board of Education, spoke in favor of granting the Superintendent's request for supplements for the certified and classified staff. Ms. Caroline Karpinos, President of the Frank Porter Graham Elementary School PTA, spoke in favor of approving the portion of the budget which affects the expansion programs of the Chapel Hill/Carrboro school district. She stated that this funding is important. If the funding is not approved there may be problems with the fiscal implementation of transferring 6th and 9th graders to new schools. She requested that the Special District Tax not be fazed out. Chapel Hill/Carrboro citizens are willing to pay this tax and she feels it is needed. Ms. Sarah Stewart, Co-President of the Chapel Hill/Carrboro Federation of Teachers, thanked the Board of Commissioners for their support of the schools over the years. She indicated that part of this support is based on the ability to level the District Tax. The approval of the equal funding plan has relieved anxiety on the part of the citizens. She spoke in favor of a District Tax that would allow all Orange County citizens to contribute to our schools. She indicated that the plan offered by the Board of Commissioners needs to do more than offer minimal funding for the schools to the exclusion of expansion. Mr. Michael Hummiston, a student at UNC and a resident of Carrboro, spoke in opposition to the user fee proposal for EMS services. He felt it was a financially unsound proposal. He stated that it was an effort to balance the budget on the backs of those who could least afford it, the poor, the sick and the dying. Mr. Robbie Smith, a citizen and lawyer in Chapel Hill, spoke in opposition to user fees for EMS service. He believed that the focus should be on how much is being saved by the volunteer service. Each squad owns a building with a combined value of approximately 1 million dollars. They have contributed 8 ambulances which is a value of $85,000 each; two wreck trucks which cost $75,000 each; two chase cars, one boat, supplies, insurance on buildings, training costs, uniforms are also provided to the squads by private donations. He also asked the Board of Commissioners to keep in mind how much is saved in labor costs by the volunteer workers. Ms. Joyce Brown spoke in opposition to what she feels are unnecessary tax increases. She questioned the process of the Public Hearing which she felt was a mere formality not a real democratic process. She also indicated that her belief is that many of the programs of the past were unnecessary. She spoke in favor of funding for the Carrboro Farmers Market and similar projects. She mentioned that the two largest land owners in Orange County do not pay any taxes and that this inequity needs to be addressed. Mr. Lloyd Senter, one of the founders of the South Orange Rescue Squad, spoke in opposition to charging user fees for EMS services. He asked the Commissioners to consider how much it would cost to replace the volunteers with paid staff, as well as the cost of purchasing the squad buildings, etc. Ms. Chris Nutter, a member of the Orange County Board of Social Services, spoke in support of the Youth Services Coordinator. The Social Services Board is in agreement that this position is needed. Mr. John Schaeman, the President of the Orange Federation of Teachers, spoke in favor of the proposal to equalize funding between the schools. The fact that the County cannot afford to finance any of the $900,000 requested by the Orange County School System for expansion programs is a clear indicator of how important it is to equalize the funding. He encouraged Northern Orange County residents to speak in favor of a countywide school tax. Mr. Bobby Green state that in behalf of both rescue squads he was presenting the Commissioners with petitions in opposition to the proposal to charge user fees for EMS services. The total number of signatures was 4,900. He indicated that the volunteers share the Commissioners concern with fiscal problems and they are willing to work with the Commissioners to solve them. However, the desires of the volunteers needs to be taken into account. Mr. David Baird, a citizen and teacher, addressed the issue of the $10,000 recommendation to fund the Orange Chatham Comprehensive Health Service. His specific question had to do whether or not the Health Service provided pregnancy counseling. He was advised by Chairman Carey that pregnancy counseling was provided. He requested that equal funding be allocated to institutions in Chapel Hill and Hillsborough which provide similar services. These other institutions, Pregnancy Support Organization of Chapel Hill and The New Beginnings Crisis Pregnancy Counseling, provide pregnancy counseling which offered alternatives to abortion. Mr. Jim Kitchen, a UNC employee, spoke in opposition to the proposal to charge fees for the EMS services. Mr. Alan Spalt, a Carrboro resident, spoke in support of the purchase of the Hazardous Material Team vehicle. He also addressed the school funding proposal. He favored funding a larger percentage of the expansion budget. Mr. George Senter, a former member of the South Orange Rescue Squad, stated that a large part of the success of the EMS service was dependant on citizens calling as soon as the emergency occurs. He believes that the user fee will be a deterrent to people calling in. He indicated that he believes the EMS services is an emergency service just the same as the police and fire service. Mr. Doug Noell, a paramedic and Chief of the Orange County Rescue Squad, spoke in opposition to the user fee proposal for the EMS services. He indicated that he was a paid EMS staff person in Wake County for 5 years and during that period of time he never became comfortable with asking people to pay. He also indicated that the fund raising project would be severely damaged if this proposal goes into effect. Mr. Dan Cowhig, a EMS volunteer, stated that the money the county pays the rescue squads monthly is not a subsidy, but rather is payment for the use of the building and equipment by the county. The relationship between the county and the squads has always been a partnership. He asked that a EMS Task Force be organized and the next year be spent looking at the entire system. After the situation is thoroughly studied, a decision could be reached that would satisfy all parties. Ms. Eugenia Smith, a member of the Orange County Rescue Squad, stated that the county's cost for EMS service is relatively small considering what the county actually receives for that service. She asked that we not risk losing the volunteers and the financial contributions of the citizens in this attempt to institute user fees. Ms. Kay Singer, Chairman of the Orange County Board of Education, read a brief statement from Elizabeth Eidenier. Ms. Eidenier's statement requested that the Board of Commissioners give full funding to the Orange County School's budget request. She stated that the budget reflects the true needs of the school system. Ms. Singer requested that the funding for the schools be increased over that requested by the Manager. Under the current proposal there is no money allocated for expansion and that is unacceptable to the citizens of Orange County. She commended the efforts of the Commissions to address the difficult issue of school equity plan. Mr. Max Kennedy, Vice-Chairman of the Orange County Board of Education, stated that the school systems' share of the county budget has decreased approximately 1% each year. He urged the Board of Commissioners to consider the school's need for funds to be at least equal to that of the county. Mr. Bill Miller, a resident of Chapel Hill, stated that he has been a diabetic for 21 years. He suffers several complications from that disease and has used the services of the EMS squads on more than one occasion. He indicated that without their services he would not be alive tonight. On several occasions he has refused to be transported to the hospital, because he could not afford the hospital expenses. He stated that if the user fees were implemented, there would be people who will refuse this needed service because they cannot afford it. Mr. Bob Bateman spoke on behalf of the Orange County Board of Education. He requested that the Commissioners reconsider the Managers proposal. The expansion requests and the supplements were important elements of the proposed budget and need to be included in the County's budget. Mr. Christopher Cooke, a resident of Northern Orange County, thanked the Commissioners for their role in the Bond issue last fall. He also thanked the County Manager for addressing the equalization of county funding. He indicated that he believed the existence of the Chapel Hill District Tax was the factor that has created a situation of inequality. He encouraged the Commissioners and the County Manager to continue to work toward a progressive solution to this problem. Ms. Robin Zill, a resident of Orange County and a member of the Education Foundation for Orange County Schools, thanked the Board of Commissioners and Manager for their efforts toward equalizing funding between the two school systems. Attracting business to Orange County is critical to improving the tax base and one of the keys to doing this is education. This is a two-fold problem in that we have potential employees who are functionally illiterate and that we have difficulty attracting the business leaders to relocate their companies here because they do not want their children to go to school here. She also suggested that some of there problems could be addressed through better networking and that method needs to be addressed as seriously as does the current request for more funding. Ms. Luanne Smythe pointed out that the commitment of Chapel Hill and Carrboro during the last two decades is the reason for the inequity in funding. She requested that the energy responsible for this problem not be stifled. She also reminded the citizens of Orange County that a School District Tax is school money. Increasing our tax base does not assure the schools that they will receive that money. There being no further comments, the public hearing was closed. Moses Carey, Jr. , Chairman Beverly Blythe, Clerk