HomeMy WebLinkAbout091599 Item 1ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: September 15, 1999
Action Agenda
Item No. 1
SUBJECT: County /OCS /CHCCS Discussion /Policy Issues
DEPARTMENT: County Manager PUBLIC HEARING: (Y /N) No
ATTACHMENT(S):
As listed in "Background"
INFORMATION CONTACT:
John Link or Rod Visser, ext 2300
Donna Dean, ext 2151
TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
Hillsborough
732 -8181
Chapel Hill
968 -4501
Durham
688 -7331
Mebane
336- 227 -2031
PURPOSE: To discuss various issues with policy and/ or financial implications that are of
current interest to the Orange County Commissioners, Orange County Board of Education,
and /or Chapel Hill - Carrboro Board of Education.
BACKGROUND:
a) Alternative Models for Establishing Future School Funding Parameters
The Commissioners' 1999 -2000 goal for "Effective and Efficient School Funding" includes
preparation by staff of recommendations for "parameters that can be established to guide
development of school current expense budgets for FY2000 -2001 and beyond ". The Budget
Director researched this topic and developed a report, first presented at the BOCC's August 31
work session, which outlines a number of models the Board may wish to consider as it
determines the guidance it will provide to the County Manager concerning school funding for the
2000 -2001 Orange County budget.
The Budget Director will provide a brief presentation which explains the major points of her
report. The BOCC may wish to discuss the report with the two school boards as it considers
what guidance it will provide to the Manager and staff later this fiscal year regarding school
funding parameters for the FY 2000 -2001 budget.
Attachment 1a — 8131199 Staff Report — "Education Funding in Orange County"
b) Program /Staff /Facility Issues with Future Budgetary Impacts
The Board of County Commissioners requested during 1998 -99 budget work sessions that both
school systems Keep the County informed on an ongoing basis to provide "early warning" about
initiatives that might lead to additional funding requests in future fiscal years. This topic was
discussed at the joint Commissioner /school board meetings last fiscal year, and has been a
regular topic reviewed at monthly meetings between the County Manager and the two
Superintendents. Discussion at this meeting may focus on new /expanded initiatives that one or
both school systems may be considering for 2000 -2001, including class size reduction, among
others.
The Chapel Hill - Carrboro Board of Education also expressed its desire to discuss this topic at
this September 15 work session. CHCCS noted that all parties seemed to benefit from the
ongoing discussions that preceded the last budget process, and that this meeting would provide
a good opportunity for them to share an initial list of expected needs for the next budget year.
No Attachments
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact tied directly to the discussion at this
meeting. However, decisions that the BOCC will make at subsequent meetings are likely to
have significant implications for future capital and operating budgets.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the boards discuss the issues noted
and provide direction to staff, as appropriate.