HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 03-30-1995 - III - Memorandum dated 3-29-95 Re: School Capital Funding From:Don VAlho# To:809 Qrowfrer Date:8rNM Time:00:24,04 Page 1 of 2
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MEMORANDUM
TO: Orange County Board of Commissioners
John Link, County Manager
FROM: Don Willhoit
DATE:March 29, 1995
SUBJECT: School Capital Funding
In the past few weeks, we have been provided with very persuasive data and testimony regarding
the crowding crisis in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro school system. We have also been presented with
a wide variety of actions that we should take to abate the crisis. I was very impressed with the
report presented by the SOS group which suggests that the number of children generated per
household is much greater we have assumed. I think we all agree that a comprehensive, multi-
pronged approach needs to be taken to alleviate the school facility crisis. Although there are
numerous things that might be done, I would suggest that we initially focus on those items which
can be accomplished without special legislation and without lengthy study. The items that I
recommend as the foundation of a comprehensive program and for immediate action are as
follows:
IMPACT FEES
1. Update technical report to recalculate the maximum flat fee that can be justified for each
school system. Conduct another public hearing to receive input on a more substantial increase
in the impact fee. If a higher level fee for the Chapel Hill-Carrboro system can be justified,
based on the revised technical report, include that alternative in the public hearing. Note: the
higher flat fee should be an interim step until data are collected to prepare a sliding scale
proposal. The impact on affordable housing should be minimal since builders are not
currently building smaller, affordable housing.
2. Authorize the Planning Department to employ interns to gather data necessary to prepare a
"sliding scale" proposal which will place more of the impact fee burden on larger houses
(assuming that the study demonstrates that larger houses generate more children than smaller
houses).
LAND FOR FUTURE SCHOOL SITES
3. Request both school systems to identify future school sites for incorporation into municipal
and county land use plans.
4. Request municipalities to consider limiting the rate of approval of new residential
development so as not to out-pace the ability of the county to provide additional schools.
From:Don WiAhort To:Bit Crowfror Date:W29IN Time:00:25:15 Pape 2 of 2
5. Request Chapel Hill to reserve a school site in the Meadowmont development.
SCHOOL FACILITY CONSTRUCTION AND UTILIZATION
6. Request Chapel Hill-Can-boro schools to consider implementing a multi-track, year-around
school program as an interim measure to reduce classroom size.
7. Develop uniform school building construction standards.
DESIGNATED PROPERTY TAX FOR SCHOOL FACILITIES
8. The 1988 school bonds and impact fees notwithstanding, additional funds are required to meet
the immediate capital needs. I would suggest assessing a 5-cent property tax, beginning with
the 1995-96 budget. The tax, to be designated for school capital projects, should raise $2.35
M/year. I would further suggest that first priority for this designated fund be the acquisition of
future school sites. Note: if sites are reserved in land use plans, we must be ready to act when
these sites are offered for development.