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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNNS Planning - Summary - Proposed School Capital Funding Program Adopted 4-3-95 - IX-A ADOPTED 4/3/95 SUMMARY - PROPOSED SCHOOL CAPITAL FUNDING PROGRAM At its March 30, 1995, the Orange County Board of Commissioners considered the following elements of a program aimed at alleviating school facility concerns: IMPACT FEES 1. Update the 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, including a higher fee level for the Chapel Hill-Carrboro school system if justified by the revised technical report. Implementation: Technical Report Update May 1 Public Hearing May 25 2. Authorize the Planning Department to employ interns to gather data necessary to prepare a "sliding scale" proposal through which to assess higher impact fees on larger homes, provided the study demonstrates that larger homes generate more school age children. Implon: If interns are used, two would be needed during the May-July period. Based on an hourly wage of$8.00 and a total of 66 work days during this period, each intern would cost approximately $4,485, including F.I.CA The total cost for two interns, $8,970, would have to be allocated between two fiscal years:$6,135 in FY1994-95 and$2,835 in FY1995-96. FY 1994-95 Appropriation April 18 FY 1995-96 Appropriation June 26 Data Collection May 1 -July 31 BOCC Work Session August 10 Public Hearing August 30 3. Update the technical report annually as part of the required Annual Report on impact fees. Implementation: Develop a schedule for preparation of the Annual Report, including the technical report update, which allows the Board of Commissioners-to consider the reports, conduct a public hearing, and adjust the schedule of impact fees annually as part of the budget process. LAND FOR FUTURE SCHOOL SITES 4. Request both school systems to identify future school sites,and request Towns to incorporate sites into their land use plans. Incorporate future school sites identified within the County's planning and zoning jurisdiction into the land use plan. Implementation: Authorize the Chair to send a letter to the School Board Chairs and Mayors requesting that such actions be taken. 5. 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. Implementation: Schedule an Assembly of Governments meeting for the purpose of discussing public school capital needs as well as methods of assuring that needs do not exceed facility capacities. t i 6. Request the Town of Chapel Hill to reserve a school site in the proposed Meadowmont development. Implementation: Authorize the Chair to send a letter to the Mayor requesting such reservation. SCHOOL FACILITY CONSTRUCTION &UTILIZATION 7. Request Chapel Hill-Carrboro and Orange County school systems to consider implementing a multi-track, year-round school program as an interim measure to reduce classroom size. Implementation: Authorize the Chair to send a letter to the School Board Chairs requesting that such a program be considered. S. Develop uniform school building construction standards. Implementation: Appointments have been made to a committee responsible for undertaking this task. DESIGNATED PROPERTY TAX FOR SCHOOL FACILITIES 9. Consider assessing a certain number of cents on the tax rate to meet immediate school capital needs, beginning with the 1995-96 budget. Funds raised from this designated tax could be used to acquire school sites, pay for architectural design fees, etc. Implementation: Consider as part of the FY 1995-96 budget process. - CAPITAL FUNDING OPTIONS 10. Develop alternatives for funding identified school needs(currently estimated at approximately$61 million) and criminal justice facility needs (currently estimated at approximately $20-30 million) during the next ten years. Options that could be considered could range from complete general obligation bond funding to combinations of bonds and funding from one or more existing(or new) pay-as-you-go funding sources, such as impact fees, earmarked property taxes or one-cent sales taxes (authorization pending in the General Assembly). Implementation: Staff could prepare rough scenarios as early as the April 18 meeting,for one of the May meetings,and/or for discussion during the 1995-96 budget deliberations.