HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 06-11-19 Budget Work Session 1
APPROVED 09/03/2019
MINUTES
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
BUDGET WORK SESSION
June 11, 2019
7:00 p.m.
The Orange County Board of Commissioners met for a budget work session on Tuesday, June
11, 2019 at 7 p.m. at the Whitted Building in Hillsborough, N.C.
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Penny Rich and Commissioners Jamezetta
Bedford, Mark Dorosin, Sally Greene, Earl McKee, Mark Marcoplos, and Renee Price
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: None
COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT: None
COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Bonnie Hammersley, Deputy County Manager
Travis Myren, and Clerk to the Board Donna Baker (All other staff members will be identified
appropriately below)
Chair Rich called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Travis Myren noted the following items at the Commissioners' places:
- Blue sheet: Memo from Asset Management Services (AMS)
- White sheet: PowerPoint
- Green sheet: all proposed amendments to operating budget
- Salmon sheet: CIP budget amendments
- White sheet: fee changes from the Health Department
Travis Myren reviewed the outline for the evening:
1. FY2019-20 Operating Budget
Consider and Approve Amendments to the County Manager's Recommended
Operating Budget
2. FY2019-24 Capital Investment Plan (CIP)
Consider and Approve Amendments to the County Manager's Recommended
Capital Investment Plan
3. FY2019-20 County Fee Schedule
Consider and Approve Amendments to the County Manager's Recommended
Fee Schedule
4. FY2019-20 Tax Rates
Consider and Approve Amendments to the County Manager's Recommended
Budget -the Ad Valorem (Property) Tax Rate, Special District Tax Rate, and
Fire District Tax Rates.
5. Break
6. Resolution of Intent to Adopt
Consider and Approve the Resolution of Intent to Adopt the FY2019-20
Operating Budget at the Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting on
June 18, 2019
Operating Budget for FY2019-20
Year One (FY2019 -20) of the Capital Investment Plan
County, Special District, and Fire District Tax Rates
Fee Schedule
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Travis Myren made the following PowerPoint presentation:
Intent to Adopt
Budget Work Session
June 11, 2019
Whitted Meeting Facility
Decision Points
School Funding
Operating Budget School Funding — page 148 (table)
• Total Recommended School District Funding
• Included as Part of the School Funding Target Calculation
• Target is 48.1% of General Fund Revenue
• FY2019-20 Recommended Budget = 49.5%
School Funding
Capital Budget School Funding — page 115 CIP (table)
• Total: $11, 448, 606
School Bond Allocation — page 115 CIP (table)
Total Recommended School Bond Allocation- OCS
School Funding
Total Recommended School Funding FY19-20
FY2019-20 Budget Information
Fire District Scope (graph)
FY2019-20 Budget Information
• Jury Master List Creation — page 117
-Increase of$7,500 for the Jury Master List, which is Funded Every Other Year
• Data Source
-Data is from DMV Records (Licensed Drivers) and Voter Information (Registered
Voters)
-Names are drawn at random from the list.
-A jury summons is printed and issued to jurors by US mail.
• Geothermal Feasibility Studies Payback
-Current Geothermal Systems Save $6,300 per year
-$25,000 in feasibility study costs would be paid off in 4 years
• Solar Panel Installation at Waterstone Substation
-Joint Project with Orange Rural
-Discussion Part of the Interlocal Agreement
-Possibly Include Solar Feasibility Study in Architect's Scope
• Sheriff Overtime Report—graph (Sheriff Overtime Expenses with Reimbursement)
• Transportation for Community Center Programs
-Use Conflict with County Vans for Summer Recreation Programming, Park
Activities, etc.
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-Proposed Amendment to Add $140,000 to Purchase Two Large Capacity Vans for
Community Center Use
-Cost is Partially Offset ($107,000) by PAYGO/Cash Originally Budgeted for the
Cedar Grove Shower Project
-Vans Shared and Scheduled by Community Centers through Motor Pool
Commissioner Price asked if Community Centers will need to secure drivers and
insurance.
Travis Myren said there would be some type of lease/rental agreement, with which there
would be no associated costs. He said the vehicle is County property, which the County
insures, but the Community Centers would be responsible for providing properly insured drivers.
He resumed the presentation:
FY2019-20 Budget Information
• CIP Debt Model — Debt Service (graph)
• CIP Debt Model — Simulated Tax Rates for Debt Service (graph)
• OCPT Revenue- Fare vs Non-Fare
• Operating Budget Amendments
o Reordered and Renumbered - Tax Rate Amendments First
o Other Operating Budget Amendments - Offset by Increase in EMS Revenue
• Capital Investment Plan Amendments
o Offset by PAYGO (Cash) or
o Offset by Delaying Equipment for Southern Branch Library due to Construction
Schedule
Decision Points
• Approve the Resolution of Intent to Adopt the FY2019-20 Operating Budget at the
Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting on June 18, 2019
o Operating Budget for FY2019-20
o Year One (FY2019-20) of the Capital Investment Plan and Accept the Five Year
Plan
o Tax Rates for County, Special District, and Fire Districts
o Fee Schedule
Travis Myren said the list of amendments have been reorganized somewhat, so that all
amendments that will adjust the tax base are first. He began a review of the amendments:
1. Discussion of FY2019-20 Operating Budget
• Funding Decisions on the Operating Budget Amendment List
• Funding Decisions on the Other Funds Budget Amendment List
• Funding Decisions for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools and Orange County Schools
o Current Expense (Per Pupil)
Deferred Maintenance
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Budget General Fund Other Funds
• Amendment Sponsor Page Department Amendment Amount Total Total
19-20OP-001 Commissioner 43 Asset Increase taxes an $ (469,272.00) $ (469,272.00)
Marcoplos Management additional 1/4 cents
Services to fund county efforts
to combat climate
change initiatives.
Attachment D
19-20OP-002 Commissioner 64 Asset Add funds to a $469,272.00 $ 469,272.00
Marcoplos Management Capital Project
Services- (AMS)budget
Transfer to appropriation to fund
County county efforts to
Capital combat climate
change initiatives.
Attachment D
19-20OP-003 Commissioner 148 School Decrease the $ 1,203,030.00 $1,203,030.00
Dorosin District Tax CHCCS special
district tax by 1.00
cent.The purpose of
this amendment is to
address the funding
inequity in the two
schools stems.
19-20OP-004 Commissioner 148 School Decrease allocation $(1,203,030.00) $(1,203,030.00)
Dorosin District Tax of District Tax funds
to CHCCS due to
decrease in special
district tax by 1.00
cent.
19-20OP-005 Commissioner 43 County-wide Increase the ad $(2,008,483.00) $(2,008,483.00)
Dorosin valorem tax by 1.07
cent for education
allocated by ADM.
The purpose of this
amendment is to
address the funding
inequity in the two
schools stems.
19-20OP-006 Commissioner 148 County-wide Increase Current $2,008,483.00 $2,008,483.00
Dorosin Expense Allocation
to Schools by ADM
CHCCS-
$1,207,902 and
OCS-$800,581
19-20OP-007 Commissioner 43 County-wide Increase the ad $(1,999,984.00) $(1,999,984.00)
Bedford valorem tax by 1.066
cents for education
allocated by ADM
19-20OP-008 Commissioner 148 County-wide Increase Current $ 1,999,984.00 $1,999,984.00
Bedford Expense Allocation
to Schools by ADM
CHCCS-
$1,202,852 and
OCS-$797,132
19-20OP-009 Commissioner 43 County-wide Increase the Ad $(8,071,474.10) $(8,071,474.10)
Rich valorem tax by 4.30
cents which reflects
the Upfront Tax Rate
for Debt Service
rather than the
Phase-In of 1.50
cents contained in
the Manager's
Recommended
Budget
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19-20OP-010 Commissioner 407 Transfer to Transfer 4.30 cents $ 8,071,474.10 $8,071,474.10
Rich Debt Service Ad Valorem tax
Reserve proceeds to a Debt
Fund Service Reserve
Fund
19-20OP-011 Commissioner 62 Economic Hire a consultant to $ 20,000.00 $ $ 20,000.00
Marcoplos Development compile an inventory
of agencies
participating in the
workforce
development
pipeline available to
Orange County and
assess the feasibility
of a Tradescraft
Center.
Attachments(A1),
(A2) Use Article 46
Sales tax to fund the
initiative.
19-20OP-012 Commissioner 109 OCPEH To enable funding $ 35,226.00 $ 13,738.00 $ 35,226.00
Greene for an ongoing full-
time position for
housing locator
within the
Community
Empowerment Fund.
The OCPEH will
administer the
contract and funding
will be distributed
according to current
allocation within the
Partnership.
Offsetting Revenue
from the Town's
share is$21,488.
Attachment B
19-20OP-013 Commissioner 71 BOCC Increase the base $ 26,737.00 $ 26,737.00
Rich salary to$23,591 for
the County
Commissioners to
the regional average
compensation as
well as the cellphone
allowance to
$85/month,the
internet to
$75month,and car
allowance of
$200/month.
Attachment C
19-20OP-014 Commissioner 71 BOCC Add funds to the $ 4,000.00 $ 4,000.00
Rich Commissioners
travel line item in the
County Clerk's
appropriation to
cover anticipated
increase in travel
expensesfor
conferences and
training for FY2019-
20.
19-20OP-015 Commissioner 447 DEAPR Eliminate the $ 1,500.00 $ 1,500.00
Price revenue for the user
fee of$3 per person
to participate in open
gym at the Parks&
Recreation
gymnasium.
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19-20OP-016 Commissioner Various County-wide Increase mobile $ 22,590.00 $ 22,590.00
Rich Pages telephone stipend
from$35 to$50 per
month for county
employees who use
personal mobile
telephones for
county business.
19-20OP-017 Staff 306 Non Increase in Triangle $ 1,500.00 $ 1,500.00
Departmenta Area Rural Planning
I- Organization
Community (TARPO)dues for
Services FY 2019-20 from
$7,500 to$9,000
19-20OP-018 Staff 371 Sheriffs Add a 1.0 FTE $ 67,706.00 $ 11,284.00
Office Deputy Sheriff I
position to provide
School Resource
Officer(SRO)
services at Eno
River Academy. The
County will receive
reimbursement for
the 10 month School
Year associated
expenditures.
Offsetting revenue of
$56,422 from Eno
River Academy for
SRO services for the
10 month School
Year period
19-20OP-019 Staff 246 County Increase Emergency $ (250,000.00) $ (250,000.00)
Manager Medical Services
Collections by
$250,000
19-20OP-020 Commissioner 109 County Decrease$4,000 in $ (4,000.00) $ (4,000.00)
Rich Manager Food Council
division for one-time
Equity Training that
was budgeted in FY
2018-19
19-20OP-021 Staff 495 Solid Waste Add a Storm Debris
Fee Waiver option to
the County Fee
Schedule to allow TBD
limited storm fee
waivers for residents
following undeclared
storm events.
19-20OP-022 Staff 407 Asset Use funds of $ 154,000.00 $ 154,000.00
Management $154,000 from
Services- additional EMS
Transfer to collection revenue
County for the Facility
Capital Accessibility,Safety
and Security
Improvements
Capital Project for
Elevator
modernization at the
Richard E.Whitted
Facility
19-20OP-023 Staff 64 Asset Add funds of $ 15,000.00 $ 15,000.00
Management $15,000 for a
Services Temporary position
in AMS to assist with
Capital Projects
management
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19-20OP-024 Commissioner County-wide Add to the County
Greene Travel Policy that
travel expenses for
Commissioners and
County staff will
include the purchase
of carbon offsets for
any airfare and the
miles traveled by
Car Share vehicles.
This will also be
included in the
Financial Policy
section of the
Budget Ordinance.
The impact is
currently estimated
at approximately
$1,100 and will be
covered in
departmental
budgets.
19-20OP-025 Staff 407 Transfer to Due to a reduction in $ (4,479.00) $ (4,479.00) $ (58,024.00)
Affordable HUD funds in the
Housing HOME Program,
Initiatives/Co reduce$4,479 for
mmunity the County's share
Development of the FY 2019-20
Fund HOME Program
19-20OP-026 Commissioner 338 Outside Increase funding to $ 5,000.00 $ 5,000.00
McKee Agency Orange County
Rural Alliance by
$5,000 to assist in
funding meal
deliveries in rural
areas of the Count
19-20OP-027
Totals $ 94,780.00 $ (3,130.00) $ (2,798.00)
Commissioner Dorosin asked if the CIP amendment list "total" refers to the total amount
if every amendment were to be adopted.
Travis Myren said the first column is the total amount, on a net basis, that would be
added to the Manager's recommended budget should all amendments be passed. He said the
general fund impact is actually a surplus, which is noted in the second column. He said the
third column is "other funds," as there are a few amendments that affect the district tax fund and
the article 46 tax fund.
Commissioner Dorosin asked if the net is the total of those two.
Travis Myren said what would affect the tax rate would be the $3,130 amount.
Commissioner Dorosin said the bottom line on the CIP amendment list is -$23,400.
Travis Myren said, compared with the manager's recommended budget, the project total
that the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) would approve, would be $23,000 less.
Commissioner Greene referred to the CIP list, and asked if it includes the two vans.
Travis Myren said yes, this is included in item #8.
Commissioner McKee referred to the CIP list and the delayed purchase for the library,
and said this is not a $750,000 reduction, but rather a delay.
Travis Myren said this would affect year 1, which the BOCC is approving tonight, but
would move out to the 2021.
Commissioner McKee said the $23,403 is not really a savings, as these expenses are
just being pushed out to a later year.
Travis Myren said it is a timing savings.
Commissioner Dorosin said it is a change from what is listed in the CIP.
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Commissioner McKee said he just wants to be clear that this is not a savings, but a
delay of expenses, which offsets in year 1 the additional CIP spending.
Travis Myren said there is some infusion of cash from amendment#10.
Commissioner Price referred to the bottom figure on the green sheet, and clarified that
this is taking in two different amended proposals on the schools.
Travis Myren said those two proposals net out to zero, because the County is bringing in
as much tax revenue as it is spending.
Commissioner Dorosin said suggested starting with amendments 9 and 10 on the green
sheet, and whether the Board prefers the Manager's recommended 1.5 cent tax increase or the
4.5 cent tax increase. He said the outcome of these votes go may affect how the Board feels
about other amendments.
Bonnie Hammersley said amendment# 9 (Increase the Ad valorem tax by 4.30 cents
which reflects the Upfront Tax Rate for Debt Service, rather than the Phase-In of 1.50 cents
contained in the Manager's Recommended Budget) was option 2 of the recommended budget.
She said she recommended the phase in of 1.5 cent, and this second option would do an
upfront increasing of taxes to the amount needed throughout the debt to 2021-22, and would
create a debt service reserve, into which the money would go.
Bonnie Hammersley said amendment#10 is to create the debt service reserve fund
(Transfer 4.30 cents Ad Valorem tax proceeds to a Debt Service Reserve Fund) if the BOCC
approves amendment#9.
Commissioner Dorosin said the options before the Board are 1.5 cents as recommended
by the Manager.
Bonnie Hammersley said yes, this would be reviewed annually and there would be a
phase in of the cost needed to cover debt service.
Bonnie Hammersley said option 2 would be to do the 1.5-cent increase, plus pay upfront
the future debt service and create a debt service reserves. She said this would raise the tax
rate to 5.8 cents (1.5 plus 4.3).
Chair Rich said the 4.30 would be in the reserve fund, and be paid through 2022.
Bonnie Hammersley said it is a continuum that is paid up front, and is what staff
anticipates the need to be through 2021. She said there is not a sunset, and staff is not
recommending that this tax rate be stopped. She said the Board that is sitting at that time may
choose to stop the tax.
Commissioner McKee asked if the "not stopping" part could be clarified.
Bonnie Hammersley said the Board would increase taxes in an ongoing manner until the
Board changes it.
Commissioner McKee asked if there is a reason the 4.30 cents rate would be needed in
an ongoing fashion.
Bonnie Hammersley said the debt is twenty years, and hits a peak in 20-21.
Travis Myren said they peak out at about 44.4 million, and once this peak has been hit,
and nothing is changed, then the debt service will start falling off, and the sitting board may
choose to reduce the tax rate as the debt is satisfied and paid off.
Bonnie Hammersley said they hit the peak at 21-22, and the board sitting at that time
can make a decision to keep the rate the same or change it.
Commissioner Price asked if this type of vote will be needed every year, on this same
debt.
Bonnie Hammersley said if the Board chooses to do it up front, it will not have to be
done next year, as the up front will be there; but if the Board chooses to phase it in, the sitting
Board will always have the option to change it from year to year. She said the upfront format is
just an option, and she did not recommend this option because there are uncertainties in place
and it may or may not be needed.
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Commissioner Dorosin said he will vote against the higher up front rate, given the
economic uncertainties.
Chair Rich said this is one of the reasons why Bonnie Hammersley recommended the
1.5-cent tax increase. She said doing yearly increases may result in greater costs over the long
run, but that is just part of the reality.
Commissioner McKee said he would not support the upfront tax.
Commissioner Price said she would support the Manager's recommendation.
Commissioner Marcoplos said he thinks there are potential net savings with the upfront
tax, but given the things that have been mentioned already, he would support the Manager's
recommendation.
Chair Rich said there is consensus to go with the Manager's recommendation.
Bonnie Hammersley said then there is no need for Amendment#10.
Commissioner Dorosin suggested doing all of the school amendments next
(Amendments #3-8).
Bonnie Hammersley said the Board needs to vote on amendments # 9 & 10 first.
A motion was made by Commissioner Dorosin, seconded by Commissioner McKee to
reject amendments #9 and #10.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
Amendment 003 - (Decrease the CHCCS special district tax by 1.00 cent. The purpose of
this amendment is to address the funding inequity in the two school systems.)
Commissioner Dorosin said this amendment seeks to accomplish two goals: maintain a
high level of education funding, and try to address funding inequities and distribute funding and
resources more equitably throughout the County. He said this amendment takes a small step
toward addressing the inequitable distribution of resources, while maintaining a high level of
funding for education.
Commissioner Dorosin said this is a one-cent increase on the ad valorem tax, bringing in
over$2 million, all of which will be dedicated to education. He said the Board will increase the
County's contribution to the per pupil allocation, which will go up, and at the same time the
Board will reduce the special district tax in Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools (CHCCS) by 1-
cent. He said there is no reduction in educational spending, and CHCCS will receive the same
amount of money proposed by the Manager's budget, but this would change the pots from
which the money comes. He said CHCCS will get a bigger chunk of money from the ad valorem
pot, and an offsetting smaller chunk from the district tax pot. He said there is no net loss of
funding, and there is no proposal to determine how the funds are used, but rather is designed to
recognize long-standing disparities between the school districts. He said school funding
decisions should be based on what it costs to provide the quality of education that the students
in Orange County should receive. He said if this is $6000 per pupil (which is what is received in
CHCCS), then the County should work towards every child getting this amount. He said he
does not believe it costs $2000 more to educate a child in CHCCS, as opposed to the Orange
County Schools (OCS
Commissioner Marcoplos applauded Commissioner Dorosin for bringing this forward.
He said it is a complicated issue, and for the Board to address this properly there needs to be a
more in-depth process and involve all of the stakeholders. He said Commissioner Dorosin's
suggestion is great for the schools, but the burden will fall on the OCS taxpayers
Commissioner Marcoplos proposed to take this seriously, but to discuss this process in
more detail. He said making a quick action right now would not be in the best interest of the
County.
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Commissioner McKee said this issue was debated and decided in the mid-2000s when
merger was discussed, and Commissioner Dorosin's suggestion would shift the cost to the OCS
taxpayers, and the tax increase would be divided 60% to CHCCS and 40% to OCS.
Commissioner Dorosin said it is misleading to describe it this way, as everyone will pay
the tax increase.
Commissioner McKee said but that was Commissioner Dorosin's wording in an email.
Commissioner Dorosin said everyone pays the increase, and $2 million comes in from
everyone, and is divided according to ADM, just as it always has been. He said it is not
accurate to say that OCS is subsidizing CHCCS
Commissioner McKee said CHCCS taxpayers will be tax neutral with a 1-cent reduction
in the district tax and a 1-cent increase in County property tax. He said it would not be neutral
for the OCS taxpayer.
Commissioner Dorosin said but the monies would be divided the same way that all
County money is divided for the schools.
Commissioner Price said CHCCS would still receive the special tax.
Commissioner McKee said yes, but it would be decreased by a penny.
Commissioner McKee said CHCCS would be a penny less in the district tax and one
more penny in the County tax, which makes it tax neutral for CHCCS taxpayers. He said for
OCS taxpayers, it amounts to a 1-cent tax increase, of which only 40% goes to OCS schools.
Commissioner Dorosin said Commissioner McKee could say that about every penny that
is collected: 60% goes to CHCCS and 40% to OCS.
Commissioner McKee said in every other case, a 1-cent increase is for everybody in the
County, and in this case it is a 1-cent increase for the OCS taxpayers, and no increase for
CHCCS taxpayers.
Commissioner McKee said he is in complete agreement with Commissioner Dorosin
about the inequity of the funding, but this is a tax that was put in specifically by the residents of
Chapel Hill for the residents of the CHCCS through the legislature through special action. He
said it has been in effect for years, and while he would love to find some way to address it, he
does not know how to do so. He said the only way he can see to make a change is to
permanently freeze the district tax, and over a long period of time, the increases in funding
would shift.
Commissioner Dorosin said he does not think this is true, because if the Board freezes
the district funding and raises the property tax every year, there will always be the gap where
the district funding was frozen. He said the outcome of his proposal is that the per pupil
spending for OCS will go up, and the per pupil spending for CHCCS will remain the same.
Commissioner Bedford said she was on the 2006 committee about fair funding, and
OCS turned down a special district tax as the tax base was lower. She said the committee
struggled with what would be most fair, and the County has to fund the same per pupil amount.
She said the committee considered the will of the taxpayers, and how satisfied people were with
the schools. She said the committee found that residents are happy with the schools overall,
and residents of northern Orange County were unwilling to pay as much as the residents in the
CHCCS district. She said it is not just an issue of where people can afford to live. She said
CHCCS has 27% free and reduced lunch, and even undocumented people will find ways to live
in the district to access the education. She said she lives in a 1500 square foot ranch in
CHCCS because that is what she could afford, and needed to be CHCCS to best meet the
needs of her child with autism. She said CHCCS has 600% more special education and autistic
children than the state would predict or expect. She said all of these variables must be
considered.
Commissioner Bedford said this is not the year to do this proposed amendment, as the
BOCC is not even fully funding the CHCCS continuation budget. She said the Manager's
proposed increase will fund the OCS continuation budget, but not the expansion budget. She
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said she believes the district tax to be fair if the Board is fully funding the needs of OCS
students, and those are needs are determined by the democratically elected OCS school board,
and the willingness of the OCS taxpayers to pay. She said she sees no problem, if residents
want to pay more for the "extras". She said the districts have collaborated well, and there is
room for more growth in the future.
Commissioner Bedford said the County also does not need to call attention from the
General Assembly (GA) until after the 2020 elections. She said the district tax has been in
place since 1909, and the GA can abolish it instantly.
Commissioner Greene said she respected Commissioner Dorosin' proposal, and agrees
with the need to discuss the question of equity, but Commissioner Marcoplos is making a good
point that there is a bigger conversation that needs to take place. She said she is not sure what
the parents in OCS feels about the schools and additional taxes, and maybe the Board needs to
reengage this conversation.
Commissioner Price said she liked this proposal, but it is too early for the Board to make
a decision tonight, and the school boards need to be involved in discussion. She said the Board
does need to do something about the inequity, and the landscape has changed since 2006 and
thus an updated conversation is warranted. She said it has always been strange to her to have
two school districts vying for the same funding.
Chair Rich said Commissioner Dorosin has been trying for years to find an equitable way
to fund the schools. She said she has heard from people that live in the County who are not in
favor of this. She said it is time to engage the parents of OCS, and to find out what their focus
is. She would like to bring this question to the school collaboration.
Commissioner Dorosin said he appreciated the Board's remarks, but he will insist that
this conversation keep going, and to reevaluate the needs and the changing demographics in
OCS. He said the Board must make this a more critical issue, especially due to the increase of
low-income and ESL students in OCS and the "white flight" to charter schools.
Commissioner Dorosin said the per pupil allocation from the County would go up for both
school districts. He said in CHCCS, with the reduction in the special district tax, the total per
pupil for CHCCS would stay the same. He said the OCS per pupil would go up. He agreed
getting information from residents is important, but wonders if the Board really thinks it costs
$2000 more in one district, as opposed to another district. He said he did not think so, but the
Board needs to justify this to all residents in the County.
A motion was made by Commissioner Dorosin to approve Amendments 003, 004, 005,
006.
NO SECOND
MOTION FAILS
A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Greene to
reject amendments— 003, 004, 005, 006.
Chair Rich said she would like to work with Commissioner Dorosin to put a timeframe on
this discussion.
Commissioner Dorosin said he would like to draw other BOCC members into that
discussion as well.
VOTE: Ayes, 6; Nays, 1 (Commissioner Dorosin)
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Amendments # 7 (Increase the ad valorem tax by 1.066 cents for education allocated by
ADM) and # 8 (Increase Current Expense Allocation to Schools by ADM CHCCS -
$1,202,852 and OCS - $797,132
Commissioner Bedford said she is proposing 1.066-cent increase to the ad valorem tax
to fully fund OCS budget request. She said the state is not going to do a 3% salary increase for
classified staff, but rather is offering 1% or $500, whichever is greater. She said the BOCC has
done all it can to support education in Orange County, but the recession and changes in the GA
have lead to the state leading an intentional decimation of public education. She said 2 years
ago, OCS cut 29 positions, 19 of which were to balance the local budget and class sizes in
grades 4-8 were increased to 1:27 students. She said OCS office staff was also greatly
reduced at that time. She said OCS is about to embark on some equity training, but the
classified staff not being paid for teacher workdays seems counter intuitive. She said her
proposal will not allow for CHCCS to meet its continuation budget, but it is a step in the right
direction. She said she recognizes that it is still a tax increase, and does not want to unduly
burden residents, but feels this will be money well spent.
Commissioner McKee asked if the Manager's recommended amount for OPED could be
identified.
Bonnie Hammersley said she is recommending adding $250,000 to OPED.
Commissioner McKee asked if Commissioner Bedford would be amenable to
transferring the OPED monies to the schools, instead of increasing the tax.
Commissioner Bedford said every bit helps.
Commissioner Dorosin said he appreciated this proposal, and if the goal was to help
OCS then his amendment would have done that. He appreciated Commissioner Bedford's
analysis, but this problem is about getting all of the schools more money not just OCS.
Commissioner Marcoplos said he could support Commissioner McKee's
recommendation.
Commissioner McKee said it would amend the amendment to distribute $250,000 from
OPED allocation to distribution on the ADM for the school districts. He said it would not be an
additional cost to the budget.
Commissioner Greene said Commissioner Bedford's amendment would yield about $2
million, and Commissioner McKee's would be $250,000. She said these two numbers are not
even close, and she does not get the rationale.
Commissioner McKee said Orange County is 7I" highest taxing county in the state, and
this is driving many residents out, and not just low-income residents. He said he is adamantly
opposed to continuing to add tax, on top of tax, on top of tax, as the residents cannot sustain it.
Commissioner McKee said until, and unless, these school boards address the disparities
and outcomes and the flight in OCS to charters, he may well stop supporting any more funding
to the schools. He said CHCCS has the highest disparity in the nation, and OCS has 10% of
children in charter schools. He said he is too old to care if he is re-elected, but he is not too old
to care about these kids.
Commissioner Greene said she appreciated his sincerity, but the $250,000 does not
seem the way to go here. She said she knows that OPED is an issue, and that is not the best
use of these monies.
Commissioner McKee said he agreed, and he has opposed using OPED monies for 9
years, until tonight.
Commissioner Price said she knows Commissioner Bedford is trying to fully fund one
budget, and asked if she would consider a lower amount.
Commissioner Bedford said what about a '/2 cent increase for the ADM, yielding about
$938, 500, which is a per pupil increase equivalent of$46. He said this would give CHCCS
$564,000 and OCS $374,000.
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Chair Rich said this would be an additional $46 on top of$175 proposed per pupil.
Commissioner Dorosin said he is not interested in raising money just for schools without
addressing the inequities, and would not support it.
Commissioner Marcoplos asked if the actual costs could be identified.
Commissioner Dorosin said everyone would have it added to their tax bills.
Commissioner Marcoplos said the CHCCS would have this taken back out due to the
reduction in the special district tax, and the net is that OCS residents would have additional
costs.
Commissioner Dorosin said yes, but OCS would also have additional per pupil funds.
Commissioner Marcoplos said he has lived in the OCS district for 40 years, and there is
a widespread positivity towards the schools, but there is less wealth in the County and residents
seem fine with the schools the way they are. He said Commissioner Dorosin's proposal would
increase the tax rate in OCS, and the residents likely would not support this. He said he would
like to know how much it would cost the OCS taxpayer in Commissioner Dorosin's proposal
versus Commissioner Bedford's.
Commissioner Dorosin said if the increase were 1-cent, the cost would be the same.
Chair Rich said it is the same.
Commissioner Marcoplos asked if it would cost the same amount of money under
Commissioner Bedford's plan, and said he is not sure that is true.
Commissioner Dorosin said Commissioner Bedford is now proposing a '/2 cent increase.
He said Commissioner Bedford is proposing a County property tax rate hike, and the impact of
his proposal is the same. He said the difference with his proposal is that there would be a
reduction in the CHCCS special district tax, and his proposal results in an increase in the per
pupil spending in OCS, while the CHCCS per pupil remains constant. He said Commissioner
Bedford's proposal keeps the disparity between the two districts, and moves it up equally.
Commissioner Marcoplos said a .05-cent increase would be the same amount of money
per pupil whether it was done as a straight increase, or whether it was done in combination with
the .05-cent reduction in the CHCCS special district tax.
Commissioner Dorosin said it would not be exactly the same, and reiterated previously
made comments.
Commissioner Marcoplos asked if both proposals end up with the same amount of
money per student, but one decreases the CHCCS special tax and one increases the OCS tax.
Chair Rich said no.
Chair Rich said there are two options before the Board: Commissioner Bedford or
Commissioner McKee's proposal.
Commissioner McKee said he would not make a motion, out of respect for
Commissioner Bedford's amendment.
A motion was made by Commissioner Bedford to increase by '/2 cent Ad valorem tax to
go to the schools.
NO SECOND
MOTION FAILS
A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Marcoplos to
transfer $250 000 from the OPED line item to the ADM schools.
Commissioner Greene asked if the more senior members of the Board have thoughts
about OPED.
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Bonnie Hammersley said $250,000 is only what is recommended in her budget, and
there is about $8 million in the OPED Budget.
Commissioner Price said she was thinking of using OPED for another amendment.
Commissioner Dorosin said the Board has been very conservative on the OPED
funding, and this is a reasonable amount to use. He said he is more concerned about the value
of the token gesture.
Commissioner Bedford said every penny helps the schools.
Commissioner Marcoplos said he is happy with this motion.
Chair Rich said the Board has used OPED funding in the past.
VOTE: Ayes, 6; Nays, 1 (Commissioner Dorosin)
Commissioner McKee said it is unusual for him to support using OPED, and he will
return to his long-standing position against doing so, moving forward.
Amendment 001- (Increase taxes an additional 1/4 cents to fund county efforts to combat
climate change initiatives. Attachment D)
A quarter cent tax increase for Orange County would yield $469,272.
Commissioner Marcoplos said recent years have shown that the world is facing a
climate crisis unlike anything previously envisioned. He said the science is clear that this is a
very real crisis. He said all are experiencing climate change, and he cited examples, which are
the impetus of this proposal. He said the Commission for the Environment (CfE) unanimously
supported his proposal at its meeting last night.
Commissioner Marcoplos said on June 6th 2017 the Board of County Commissioners
passed a resolution to uphold the Paris Climate Agreement, and he read portions of the
resolution:
"WHEREAS, Orange County, North Carolina has reduced energy consumption by 15% per
square foot since 2012, has made a formal resolution to reduce carbon emissions by 80% by
2050 against 2005 levels, and has committed to move to 100% renewable energy by 2050, and
WHEREAS, President Trump has committed to withdrawing the United States from the Paris
Agreement, thereby retreating from the commitment to limit global warming to below two degrees
Celsius; and
WHEREAS, Orange County, North Carolina and other state and local governments must commit
to aggressive climate action in the absence of federal leadership,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Board of Orange County Commissioners hereby
commits to proportionally upholding the commitment made by the United States in the Paris
Agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions between 26 and 28 percent by 2025 from 2005
levels."
Commissioner Marcoplos said Commissioner Price requested that this resolution be
sent to all counties across the state, to encourage the adoption of this resolution. He said
keeping this commitment will require resources.
Commissioner Marcoplos said on September 5th the Board of Commissioners adopted
the following:
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SECTION 1. Orange County, the State of North Carolina, and the United States shall
transition from a fossil fuel-based economy to a 100% clean renewable energy for all energy
sectors-based economy, by January 1, 2050 or sooner to avoid climate catastrophe, to promote
job creation and economic growth, and to protect the Earth for current and future generations
from climate catastrophe.
Commissioner Marcoplos said his proposed amendment is a '/4-cent tax to fund climate
change investment projects and reduce energy, etc.
Commissioner Marcoplos said projects have been identified in the past, and he has
been working with the Sustainability Coordinator, which could allow the County to move as
quickly as a matter of weeks to initiate a weatherization project.
Commissioner Marcoplos said there is a social justice component to this proposal, such
as the weatherization project, as those most affected by climate change are those of low
income and means.
He said the weatherization project and a Solar Array would be a good place to start in
the first 6 months, while researching other ideas for the next round of investment projects. He
said both of these projects are familiar to residents, and would have an impact on energy
usage.
Commissioner Marcoplos said another part of this issue is that Orange County can be a
leader, and other governments in the area are watching to see if a modest tax increase can
move progress forward. He said Orange County could inspire other local governments, as well
as the private sector, and share information from its own projects to help jump-start other
efforts.
Commissioner Marcoplos said there is a lot of despair around climate change, especially
with the younger generation, who wants to be involved in moving this forward. He said the
County should brand itself as an alternative energy provider and leader, and it will attract
businesses with this topic at their core.
Commissioner Marcoplos said he feels deeply that the County must move on this now,
and he said quoted Bill McKibben: "If there's one thing I could get across to people about global
warming, it would be winning slowly is just another way of losing." He said the County has a
responsibility to the future, and this is a small and progressive tax.
Commissioner McKee said he does not dispute the climate change crisis, and has been
farming all of this life, living and dying by the weather. He said what is critical to him in this
proposal is that the County is already doing many of these things: solar, weatherization,
geothermal, etc. He said the County is taking action through the CIP, and the Board brings
projects forward one at a time. He said the Board is not going to backtrack on this.
Commissioner McKee said his main objection to this was that this proposal was not on
the website, and he thought all of the proposed amendments were posted. He said, as a result,
not enough people have had a chance to weigh in on this proposal. He said the BOCC has
received many emails on this, and the public should have been able to weigh in, as this topic
has been one of the more vocal issues in recent years. He said he fully supports green energy,
weatherization, and many other projects, but this amendment dedicates a revenue source that
eliminates the revenue source being used for other projects that the County may need to fund.
He said he is fundamentally and philosophically opposed to dedicated taxes, but his main
objection is that this type of proposal should be put through a public process.
Commissioner Price agreed, but this is not a new topic, and many people have been
well aware of climate change for many years. She said the County is working on weatherization
through the Department of Housing, and formerly JOCCA was doing the same. She said there
are several solar arrays in Orange County already.
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Commissioner Price said Commissioner Marcoplos came up with the proposal after the
two budget public hearings, and some of these ideas should become part of the DNA of Orange
County, as opposed to a separate tax being levied.
Commissioner Price said she thinks the Board should do a '/o cents tax for schools, and
use OPED monies for this proposed amendment.
Commissioner Greene stressed reasons why this proposed amendment is a good idea:
• CO2 is being released into the atmosphere faster than at any time in at least the last 60
million years
• The energy trapped by man-made global warming pollution is now "equivalent to
exploding 500,000 Hiroshima atomic bombs per day 365 days per year."
• Eighteen of the 19 hottest years on record have occurred since 2001.
• The US Southeast is projected to warm by up to 8 degrees F this century, if we do
nothing different.
• Of the 100 US counties projected to suffer the worst impacts of the climate crisis, 97 are
in the South.
Commissioner Greene said weatherization and solar arrays speak to all of these needs.
She said she has read many emails, and while Orange County is only one small place, every bit
of effort to combat climate change is worth it. She said the County's actions could attract the
attention of others.
Commissioner Greene said she is not clear about the new building commissioning, and
the existing building commissioning. She said this should be done on a regular basis.
Commissioner Greene said she has a strong interest in the amendment that totals
$75,000 to do three $25,000 studies to assess the potential of geothermal wells for three
Orange County sites, and this is a concrete goal that could be placed into this proposed
amendment. She said Orange County should take the lead, and approve this tax increase.
Commissioner Bedford said she agreed with the funding goals of the amendment, but
would like to achieve these goals without the tax increase. She said it is important that the
public be aware that the County has been doing these sustainability projects for years, and she
highlighted several examples, particularly in the school districts.
Commissioner Bedford said she is glad that Commissioner Marcoplos is highlighting the
climate needs, and she is particularly concerned about weatherization, and believes money for
these types of projects could come from the social justice funds.
Commissioner Bedford said some residents have asked her if this item could go to a
referendum, and she followed up with the County Attorney (CA), who said no, in North Carolina
only certain things can go to a referendum, and ad valorem taxes do not work this way. She
said she also learned that increases in ad valorem taxes cannot be dedicated with any binding
impact to future boards.
Commissioner Bedford said she looked at pros and cons of dedicated taxes, and said
this is not a dedicated tax, but an ad valorem tax. She said a benefit is the provision of a
funding stream that sets aside funds for high priority initiatives, but one of the risks is the
creation of potential inefficiencies. She said because dedicated taxes support particular
programs or services, the amount of money raised reflects that revenue capacity of the tax
rather than the actual program needs. She said she thinks the needs will be greater than the
amount raised by a % cent tax. She said she would rather raise the ad valorem, if necessary,
and fund it through the CIP and use regular mechanisms for funding.
Commissioner Dorosin echoed much of Commissioner Marcoplos' and Greene's
comments, but he also thought that whatever the Board does, it has to be viewed through the
racial equity and social justice lens, and he said he would like to see this prioritization built into
the proposal. He said other entities have dedicated taxes, and future boards can make
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changes to anything done by the current BOCC. He said any action that the Board takes must
be concrete, measurable and targeted.
Commissioner Greene said Chapel Hill has had a dedicated penny for housing fund for
about 6 years, and it is not legally in a lock box, and could be raided, but it has not been. She
said this is not all the money that is spent on housing, but rather a portion, and this is how she
would see this tax working. She said she does not see it as a limitation, but rather as a down
payment on the other things the BOCC needs to be doing. She agrees that all work in this area
must be done through a racial justice lens.
Chair Rich said she is in support of this, and it is a good first step. She said the BOCC
has been talking about adding solar panels to the community centers for a long time. She said
Chapel Hill also has other dedicated funds. She said this fund would allow the BOCC to explore
more grant opportunities, as many call for matching funds. She said the County will be
spending more money on the environment than just these funds.
Commissioner Marcoplos said one issue raised this evening is the question of public
participation on this topic, and that is why he went to the press. He said this conversation has
surpassed most budget topics in public participation and discussion.
Commissioner Marcoplos said the BOCC is doing some things in the realm of climate
change, but it needs to do more and learn other ways it can address climate change
Commissioner Marcoplos asked if Brennen Bouma, Sustainability Director, could come
up and talk about projects.
Commissioner Price asked if there is a reason that this tax is so important to have, as
opposed to money that is already available.
Commissioner Marcoplos said it shows a commitment and a minor sacrifice, and it
sends a message to other municipalities that this is a viable way to raise monies.
Commissioner Marcoplos said the BOCC does not want to have this conversation every
year, and hunt for money. He said the tax will allow funding to be consistently available.
Commissioner Greene said she would like to hear about new and existing building
commissioning.
Commissioner Dorosin asked if the BOCC is voting on any specific project this evening.
Chair Rich said no.
Commissioner Dorosin said given the time, and the amount of meeting yet to come, he
would suggest not going into specifics of projects at this time.
Commissioner Greene agreed with Commissioner Dorosin, and said she would like to
see the BOCC determine the intent and spirit behind these funds, should they become
available.
Commissioner Marcoplos said weatherization has economic and social justice benefits.
Chair Rich said when there is a motion on the floor, the BOCC can work on the
language.
Commissioner Greene asked Brennen Bouma if he would go through his list, and
explain why items are included and his rationale for putting these forward.
Brennen Bouma said this list is not comprehensive, but are a reasonable place to begin.
He said new the NC Division of Environmental Quality recognizes building commissioning as
being something with high payback recognizes. He said this goes further than the County has
typically gone. He said staff takes great care in making new building projects as efficient as
possible, and this is different as it hires a referee to go on site to follow up with contractors and
test structures for air tightness. He said this would be an additional resource to insure that
buildings are built to the following specifications:
• New Building Commission - Energy conservation should go hand-in-hand with
renewable energy installation to maximize the County's investment, and Commissioning
has an excellent track record for ensuring buildings are built well and are performing well
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from the start. Payback is often realized within the first 5 years and if the building is
performing well there are added benefits in avoiding water intrusion issues and
increasing occupant comfort.
• Existing Building Commissioning- This would involve hiring 3rd party experts to analyze
building performance and recommend and/or implement the adjustments needed to
restore the building's performance to its original performance or better. There is often a
2-year payback on this investment based on an expected range of energy savings
between 10% to 35%. These figures are based on a 2015 report from NC DEQ and
backed up by a 2016 quote from a local vendor.
Commissioner McKee asked if this proposal is for private buildings, public buildings, or
both.
Brennen Bouma said County buildings.
Brennen Bouma said there is a per square foot charge with existing building
commissioning, which is based upon whether or not that which is identified is taken care of in
that same process. He said this is being done on a piecemeal basis currently, especially with
the replacement of equipment: HVAC, lighting, etc. He said this would accelerate this process,
and be more intentional.
Brennen Bouma said performance contracting is tricky, but would start an extensive
auditing process for County energy use, and a package of energy efficiency items would be put
together and financed together. He said the payments on the financing would be matched to
the guaranteed energy savings. He said this process is governed and limited by state stature,
and there is state staff to help the County in this process. He said there is question as to
whether performance contracting is the way to finance these types of energy efficiency
improvements. He said Durham and Chapel Hill have done this recently.
Commissioner Marcoplos asked Brennen Bouma if additional resources will be
necessary for the Board to meet the goals it has set through 2050, through the adoption of
resolutions.
Bonnie Hammersley said that is not for Brennen Bouma to answer, as he is not involved
in the budgeting process.
Commissioner McKee said the County is currently putting together a climate change
committee, and suggested that the Board move this proposal to the committee's purview and
that it engage the public in a discussion and come back to the BOCC with recommendations
and costs for next year's budget. He said this can also include Commissioner Dorosin's
comments on social justice issues. He said if this issue was put on a ballot in November it
would fail, as both sides would gear up with a chorus of pros and cons.
Commissioner McKee said yes of course it will cost more money to hit the Board's
identified targets, but there needs to be more of a vetting process by the public and a cross-
governmental committee.
A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Price to
move this proposal to the purview of the climate change committee, who will engage the public
in a discussion and come back to the Board of County Commissioners with recommendations
with costs for next year's budget and can include Commissioner Dorosin's issues on social
justice issues.
Commissioner Marcoplos asked if Commissioner McKee's motion would supplant is
proposed amendment.
Commissioner McKee said yes.
Commissioner Dorosin said if he supported Commissioner Marcoplos' amendment, it
would be with the understanding that the proposed projects proposed are just options, and the
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Board can weigh in before any monies are spent. He said he does not want to approve set
monies for a particular project.
Commissioner Marcoplos said these ideas were just examples of how the monies could
be spent.
Commissioner Dorosin liked what Commissioner Greene said about the $75,000 already
earmarked for geothermal well study, and it would fit into the profile of what this amendment
would do.
Commissioner McKee said his motion does not specify projects, or the costs of any
projects, but is to insure a full and public vetting, which will provide better solutions within the
same timeframe of the amendment.
Commissioner Marcoplos said Commissioner McKee's motion will change the charge of
the Climate Change Committee, which may be unfair.
Commissioner Price said she seconded the motion because she wants to bring in other
governmental entities, and climate concerns do not go along political boundaries.
VOTE: Ayes, 2 (Commissioner McKee and Commissioner Price); Nays, 5 (Chair Rich,
Commissioner Marcoplos, Commissioner Dorosin, Commission Greene, and
Commissioner Bedford).
A motion was made by Commissioner Marcoplos to adopt this additional 1/4 cents to
fund County efforts to combat climate change initiatives and to quickly form a committee that
can decide how these funds would be spent, which could be made up of staff and board
members.
Commissioner Greene seconded this motion for discussion purposes.
Commissioner Greene said she would like to offer a friendly amendment for this tax to
fund efforts to combat climate change, and projects will be prioritized by this Board, following
consideration by the Commission for the Environment, according to a formula that weighs the
social justice impact most heavily. Examples of potential projects are weatherization, solar
panels, geothermal wells, etc.
Commissioner Dorosin suggested adding racial equity.
Commissioner Marcoplos and Commissioner Greene accepted.
VOTE: Ayes, 4 (Chair Rich, Commissioner Dorosin, Commissioner Greene and
Commissioner Marcoplos); Nays, 3 (Commissioner McKee, Commissioner Price, and
Commissioner Bedford)
Amendment 011- (Hire a consultant to compile an inventory of agencies participating in
the workforce development pipeline available to Orange County and assess the
feasibility of a Tradescraft Center. Attachments (A1), (A2) Use Article 46 Sales tax to fund
the initiative.)
Commissioner McKee said he does not understand how this does not duplicate the
schools' trade programs and Durham Tech's work. He asked if there is a reason to build this.
Commissioner Marcoplos said this idea originated around discussions of elevating the
building trades to the craftsman level, and Durham Tech trades education goes on in Durham,
not at the Orange County campus. He said there is a need to have a building trades center in
Orange County, and many stakeholders at meetings were in agreement. He said this type of
center would be more expansive to include plumbing, electrical, drafting, etc.
Commissioner Bedford asked if the Skills Development center provides any of these
services.
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Bonnie Hammersley said this center offers more soft skills, CNA, etc.
Commissioner Dorosin asked if the County needs to hire an outside consultant for this,
and is there not someone already on staff who could do this work.
Bonnie Hammersley said she could look at this, and the idea is that this would be a
partnership. She said she does not think County staff could do it alone.
Commissioner Price said the Hillsborough Chamber is working on something like this,
and could be a partner.
A motion was made by Commissioner Marcoplos, seconded by Commissioner Dorosin
to approve Amendment 011.
Commissioner McKee said he would like to have a discussion with the schools, as to
whether this is really needed, and if students are interested. He would also like to fund it
through the schools and Durham Tech, rather than something that might even remotely
compete with them.
Commissioner Price echoed these comments.
Commissioner Marcoplos said he is aware of the Hillsborough Chamber efforts, which
are very low level compared to this group of people who have been meeting. He said there is a
huge need for tradespeople, and these skills have to be taught in classrooms unlike any that
currently exist in the local high schools. He said the partners around the table are willing to help
fundraise, donate materials and tools, etc.
Commissioner McKee asked if there was a failed effort by the group to obtain a grant.
Commissioner Marcoplos said an individual pursued this, and he would not apply the
label of failure.
Commissioner Bedford asked if Durham Tech offers trades education in Durham.
Commissioner Marcoplos said yes.
Commissioner Bedford said everything does not have to be replicated in Orange County,
and Orange County residents can go to Durham and take classes.
Commissioner Marcoplos said residents do not take the classes because they are
offered in Durham.
Commissioner Greene asked if this would be a hit on the article 46 sales tax.
Bonnie Hammersley said the proposal is for$20,000, which would not be a significant
hit, and it would be a one-time only expense. She said this is not included in her recommended
budget.
Commissioner Greene said she is impressed with the list of stakeholders around the
table, and it is fair to say that people will not travel to Durham to take these classes. She said
she hopes it will not be a duplication of efforts.
VOTE: Ayes, 5 (Chair Rich, Commissioner Dorosin, Commissioner Marcoplos,
Commissioner Greene, and Commissioner Bedford); Nays, 2 (Commissioner McKee and
Commissioner Price)
A motion was made by Commissioner Dorosin, seconded by Commissioner Price to
adopt the following amendments:
• 15 (Eliminate the revenue for the user fee of$3 per person to participate in open gym at
the Parks & Recreation gymnasium.)
• 17 (Increase in Triangle Area Rural Planning Organization (TARPO) dues for FY 2019-
20 from $7,500 to $9,000)
0 19 (Increase Emergency Medical Services Collections by $250,000)
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• 20 (Decrease $4,000 in Food Council division for one-time Equity Training that was
budgeted in FY 2018-19)
• 21 (Add a Storm Debris Fee Waiver option to the County Fee Schedule to allow limited
storm fee waivers for residents following undeclared storm events.)
• 22 (Use funds of$154,000 from additional EMS collection revenue for the Facility
Accessibility, Safety and Security Improvements Capital Project for Elevator
modernization at the Richard E. Whitted Facility)
• 23 (Add funds of$15,000 for a Temporary position in AMS to assist with Capital Projects
management)
• 25 (Due to a reduction in HUD funds in the HOME Program, reduce $4,479 for the
County's share of the FY 2019-20 HOME Program)
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
Amendment 12- (To enable funding for an ongoing full-time position for housing locator
within the Community Empowerment Fund. The OCPEH will administer the contract and
funding will be distributed according to current allocation within the Partnership.
Offsetting Revenue from the Town's share is $21,488. Attachment B)
A motion was made by Commissioner Greene, seconded by Commissioner Bedford to
approve this amendment.
Commissioner Greene said all three governmental entities are committed to this
position.
Chair Rich said she wanted to make sure this is truly a committed partnership between
all the entities.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
Amendment 013-(Increase the base salary to $23,591 for the County Commissioners to
the regional average compensation as well as the cellphone allowance to $85/month, the
internet to $75/month, and car allowance of$200/month. Attachment C)
Chair Rich said this petition was brought forward by former Commissioners Mia
Burroughs and Barry Jacobs in 2018, which said:
"Commissioner Burroughs petitioned staff to review the County Commissioners'
compensation package, taking into account the number of BOCC meetings, as well as
liasionships. She said the Board of County Commissioners works very hard, and it is not a low-
key, part-time job. She said this job is not sustainable for people who work full time, but are not
self employed, and in an effort to recruit more diversity over time, the position needs to be
attainable for a larger pool of candidates. She asked if staff would come back with a proposal
during budget meetings.
Commissioner Jacobs agreed."
Chair Rich said she took this petition to HR to look at the Board's entire compensation
package. She said this proposed amendment has three components to it:
• Move car allowance out of the base salary
• Raise cell phone and internet stipend
• Raise base salary (based on average of regional salaries)
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Commissioner Marcoplos expressed strong support for pulling out the expense figures
from the salary, and treat them as reimbursements.
Commissioner Bedford said this money is taxable to the BOCC, and car allowance is the
more appropriate term than mileage.
Commissioner Greene agreed this is a good move.
Commissioner Price said the car allowance will show on w-2s.
Commissioner Bedford elaborated on all of the benefits she now receives: health
insurance, contributions to her health savings account, County contribution to her retirement
plan, and dental. She said if one excludes the health insurance, but includes the other benefits,
with just a 2% increase it totals $29,450.80. She said the County is not age banded, and that
health insurance is worth over$11,728.44. She said the grand total is $41,179.24.
Commissioner Bedford said she just ran for office, and was expecting the base salary.
She said she cannot support an increase.
Commissioner Dorosin said the comparative numbers from the other counties did not
include a lot of these benefits.
Chair Rich said not everyone takes the same benefits as Commissioner Bedford.
Commissioner McKee referred to the regional comparative, and said Chatham,
Alamance and Person counties should have been included for a true comparison as opposed to
just taking the highest wealth/highest paid commissioners counties.
Chair Rich said that information is all on page three, but the average was not calculated.
Commissioner McKee said it should have been.
Commissioner McKee said he is not going to support this because the percentage
increase, the BOCC would receive, is larger than that which the County employees will be
getting.
Commissioner McKee said his personal base salary, under this increase, would start at
$23,590; $2400 for travel; $1920 for tech; $1000 merit bonus; and he contributes the maximum
for the 457 retirement, and receives the maximum County contribution, which adds another
$2172. He said his cash total is $31,083, plus the health and life insurance benefits he
receives. He said the Board gave itself an increase in 2015, and approving this increase would
be quite a large jump over 4 years.
Commissioner McKee said he came on this Board in 2010 knowing he was getting
$14,000 as a base salary, which moved to $15,672 in 2013; $15,900 in 2014; $21,401 in 2015;
$21,800 in 2016; $22,049 in 2017; and again in 2018 with all County employees.
Commissioner McKee said if the BOCC approves this, it would be making more than the
bottom 3 tiers of County employees. He said the BOCC is not working 40 hours a week, has 10
weeks off in the summer, and 6 weeks off in the winter. He said he cannot justify this proposed
increase, but would support a modest increase, such as a 2% increase like the other
employees.
Chair Rich said former commissioners brought this up because citizens that have full
time jobs find it difficult to serve as commissioners, and perhaps this increase would recruit
more diversity.
Commissioner McKee said he would support a modest increase.
Commissioner Greene said the goal should be to reach a reasonable level and attract a
broader demographic of candidates. She said she feels like Commissioner Bedford, and if the
proposal were to move forward, it should not take effect until after the 2020 election. She
thought the comparables made sense, but noted that municipalities dominate Durham and
Wake counties, and they do not have the rural issues to navigate like Orange County. She said
she works hard as heck, and she admired those Commissioners who work full time. She said it
make sense to increase the salaries in hopes of recruiting more diversity.
Commissioner Dorosin said other entities are shocked by how much the Orange County
BOCC works. He said he would ask if the Commissioners are paid equitably for the time they
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put in, and it is a challenge to work full time and be a Commissioner. He said he likes
Commissioner Greene's proposal, and finds it be reasonable. He said to increase diversity the
Board needs to look at how efficiently it works. He would support this amendment with a post
date of December 2020, and said he is fine with the line items.
Commissioner Marcoplos said the most time that he puts in is not at meetings, and the
time he puts in is worth it. He said the idea that increasing the salary to a regional average, in
order to attract greater diversity, is a reasonable one. He said putting it off to the future is fine,
but it seems like a little time bomb.
Commissioner Price referred to the line items, and asked if Commissioner Dorosin is fine
with the proposal as written, with the addition of the date of December 2020.
Commissioner Dorosin said yes.
Commissioner Price said she agreed with Commissioner Greene's proposal, except for
the cell and Internet increase, which she would support changing now or leaving it up to the
individual.
Commissioner Price said the Commissioners need the car allowance, and she would
support having this now.
Chair Rich said this allowance is given currently, and she is recommending folding it out
of the base salary. She said she would like to come up with one number for the phone and
Internet allowance.
Commissioner Price said she just wants to insure that these items are not delayed until
2020.
A motion was made by Commissioner Greene, seconded by Commissioner Dorosin to
move the proposal as is with the exception for the salary increase, which would not be
implemented until December 2020; and the cell and internet allowance would begin this year;
and the $200 car allowance would be a separate line out of salaries, effective immediately.
VOTE: Ayes, 5 (Chair Rich, Commissioner Dorosin, Commissioner Price, Commissioner
Marcoplos, and Commissioner Macrcoplos); Nays, 2 (Commissioner Bedford and
Commissioner McKee)
Amendment 14 (Add funds to the Commissioners travel line item in the County Clerk's
appropriation to cover anticipated increase in travel expenses for conferences and
training for FY2019-20)
A motion was by Commissioner Price, seconded by Commissioner Bedford to approve
amendment 014.
Commissioner McKee said he was shocked to recently learn that the Board had limited
funds in its travel budget, and he would ask that each individual be judicious in their travel
spending.
Chair Rich said she asked the Clerk to the Board to provide a quarterly report on each
member's travel expenditures going forward.
VOTE: Ayes, 6; Nays, 1 (Commissioner Marcoplos)
Commissioner Marcoplos said there is a lot of money in this line item, and it could be
better distributed.
Amendment 16- (Increase mobile telephone stipend from $35 to $50 per month for
County employees who use personal mobile telephones for County business)
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A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Price to
approve this amendment.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
Amendment 18: (Add a 1.0 FTE Deputy Sheriff I position to provide School Resource
Officer (SRO) services at Eno River Academy (ERA). The County will receive
reimbursement for the 10 month School Year associated expenditures. Offsetting
revenue of$56,422 from Eno River Academy for SRO services for the 10-month School
Year period.)
Bonnie Hammersley said the Sheriff was approached by ERA about having an SRO on
site. She said the Sheriff has agreed to do this, and the revenue coming from ERA would be
$56,422 for the 10-month school period. She said the Sheriff has requested a FTE, and this is
the first charter school that has made this type of request. She said the BOCC must provide
approval as it is creating a new position within the department.
Commissioner Dorosin said he is against this, and does not want County staff working in
a private school. He said approval of this amendment would set a precedent. He said he hopes
there will be broader conversations about SROs with the school districts in the near future.
Commissioner McKee said this position would protect children, which he strongly
supports, regardless of where the children go to school.
Commissioner Dorosin said the school can still hire a security officer.
Commissioner McKee said the County provides SROs to other students.
Commissioner Bedford asked if ERA serves certain grades.
Commissioner Marcoplos said it is a K-12 school.
Commissioner Bedford said she does not support this amendment either, and the
Sheriff's office has other funds that could cover the 2 months not covered by the ERA contract.
Commissioner Marcoplos said this topic is part of a larger discussion, and it would be
breaking new ground. He said the County needs to have more discussions with the charter
schools, and should not make any decisions at this time.
Commissioner Greene agreed.
Commissioner Price said she is does not support this amendment.
A motion was made by Commissioner McKee to approve this amendment.
NO SECOND
Motion fails.
Amendment 24 (Add to the County Travel Policy that travel expenses for Commissioners
and County staff will include the purchase of carbon offsets for any airfare and the miles
traveled by Car Share vehicles. This will also be included in the Financial Policy section
of the Budget Ordinance. The impact is currently estimated at approximately $1,100 and
will be covered in departmental budgets.)
Commissioner Greene said there is no budget consequence, and this is a policy
decision and staff would work with Brennen Bouma to optimize car share vehicles.
A motion was made by Commissioner Dorosin, seconded by Commissioner McKee to
approve amendment 024.
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VOTE: UNANIMOUS
Amendment 26 (Increase funding to Orange County Rural Alliance (OCRA) by $5,000 to
assist in funding meal deliveries in rural areas of the County)
Commissioner McKee said this organization was formed due to gaps in Meals on
Wheels, and it is expanded the number of people it is serving. He said he knew he would
oppose many amendments tonight, and was reluctant to put one of his own forward, but he
considers providing food to those who need it as a worthy item to consider.
Commissioner Price asked if OCIM or Chapel Hill Meals on Wheels have requested
more money.
Commissioner McKee said he has only been approached by OCRA.
Commissioner Price asked if OCRA is receiving money via the outside agency process.
Bonnie Hammersley said no one was fully funded by the outside agency process.
Commissioner Price said she thought these contracts had been pulled out and were
working with the Department of Social Services (DSS).
Bonnie Hammersley said the money given to OCIM and IFC was not for meals.
Nancy Coston, DSS Director, said at the end of last year, the BOCC put some money in
for food delivery with the OCIM and OCRA contracts with DSS. She said this was a one time
thing, and the agencies both went through the outside agency process this year, were graded,
and received allotted funds.
A motion was made by Commissioner McKee to approve this amendment.
NO SECOND
MOTION FAILS
Commissioner Marcoplos said the Board needs to let the outside agency process work.
2. Discussion of FY2019-24 Capital Investment Plan
The FY 2019-24 CIP includes County Projects, School Projects, and Proprietary Projects. The
School Projects include Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, Orange County Schools, and
Durham Technical Community College— Orange County Campus projects. The Proprietary
Projects include Water and Sewer, Solid Waste Enterprise Fund, and Sportsplex projects.
The CIP has been prepared anticipating moderate economic growth of approximately 2% in
property tax growth and 4% in sales tax growth annually over the next five years. Many of the
projects in the CIP will rely on debt financing to fund the projects.
The items below include revisions made to the following Capital Projects since the presentation
of the Manager's Recommended Capital Investment Plan on April 2, 2019:
• At the May 23, 2019 Budget Work Session, staff included a revised Schools Capital
Projects Summary reflecting adjustments made in regards to an increased amount of
Article 46 Sales Tax funding, as well as changes to the FY 2019-20 budgeted ADM
percentages, based on changes made from the time of the original CIP presentation and
the FY 2019-20 Manager's Recommended Operating Budget presentation. The impact
of these numbers changed the CHCCS % from 60.73% to 60.14%, and changed the
OCS % from 39.27% to 39.86%.
• The Solid Waste Capital Projects had a change in funding sources as included in the FY
2019-20 Manager's Recommended Operating Budget. The PAYGO funding has
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increased by $453,172 and the Debt Financing has decreased by $453,172 in FY 2019-
20. All else remains the same.
• Funding Decisions on the Capital Investment Plan Amendment List
• Accept FY2019-24 Capital Investment Plan and Approve the Intent to Adopt Capital
Funding for FY2019-20
Travis Myren said the vans (#8) are new, and there is an offset of$107,000 from
Commissioner Bedford's delay on the bathrooms.
Commissioner Greene said this list includes the approval of the 3 sustainability studies
for the geothermal wells.
Chair Rich said the previous motion asked that information be gathered prior to
assigning uses for the climate change funds.
Commissioner Dorosin asked if the $75,000 if left in the budget, can the scheduling of
the studies be worked around the discussions of the climate change committee.
Travis Myren said yes, the budget could be amended once a decision is made.
Commissioner Dorosin asked if the total for vans is $140,000 plus $107,000.
Travis Myren said the total is $140,000; $107,000 of which was paid for all cash.
A motion was made by Commissioner Dorosin, seconded by Commissioner Bedford to
approve all of the CIP amendments below.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
Amendment# Sponsor CIPPage Budget Department Amendment Amount
19-20CIP-001 Staff New Asset Add the District Attorney Building Remediation $ 41,143.00
Management Project to the CIP in FY 2018-19,approved by
Services BOCC as BOA#7-E on April 16,2019
19-20CIP-002 Staff 183 Asset Add the Soltys Remediation Project at Passmore $ 199,114.00
Management Center of$110,564 to the CIP in FY 2018-19,
Services approved by BOCC as BOA#8-A on May 2,2019.
Also,includes Phase 2 of$88,550 for the Project,
scheduled to be presented to the BOCC at the June
11,2019 work session
19-20CIP-003 Staff 53 Orange Add the Federal and State expenditure portion of $ 288,072.00
County Public Bus/Van replacements,scheduled for FY 2019-20,
Transportation to the Vehicle Replacements CIP project
19-20CIP-004 Staff 53 Orange Add the Federal and State revenue portion/share of $ (288,072.00)
County Public Bus/Van replacements,scheduled for FY 2019-20,
Transportation to the Vehicle Replacements CIP project
19-20CIP-005 Staff New Finance and Add a Community Loan Fund CIP project to fund $ 224,340.00
Administrative Non-Profit Capital Loans for Interfaith Council,Club
Services Nova,and Orange County Rape Crisis Center,in FY
2019-20
19-20CIP-006 Staff 39 County Add$75,000 in FY 2019-20 to the HVAC Capital $ 75,000.00
Manager Project for Geothermal Feasibility Studies
19-20CIP-007 Staff 81 County Delay Shower Project($107,000)at Cedar Grove $ (107,000.00)
Manager Community Center from FY 2019-20 to FY 2020-21
19-20CIP-008 Staff New Asset Add$140,000 in capital funds to purchase 2 vans for $ 140,000.00
Management Community Center transportation use;transferring
Services $107,000 savings from the delay of the Cedar Grove
shower project
19-20CIP-009 Staff 93 Solid Waste Change in funding sources for Solid Waste CIP $
Projects for FY 2019-20;increase in funding of
$453,172 and decrease of$453,172 in Debt
Financing amounts(Budget Neutral)
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19-20CIP-010 Staff 35 Asset Add$154,000 in FY 2019-20 to the Facility $ 154,000.00
Management Accessibility,Safety and Security Improvements
Services Capital Project for Elevator modernization at the
Richard E.Whitted Facility. Funds will be used as a
Transfer from the General Fund to cover the cost of
this project.
19-20CIP-011 Commissioner 46 Library Delay the furniture,fixtures,and equipment $ (750,000.00)
Bedford Services purchase from FY 2019-20 to FY 2020-21 for the
Orange County Southern Branch Library
19-20CIP-012
TOTALS $ (23,403.00)
Travis Myren said because Commissioner Marcoplos' '/4 cent amendment passed, staff
will need an amendment to transfer$469,272 from the operating budget to a County capital
project for 2019-20.
A motion was made by Commissioner Bedford, seconded Commissioner Greene to
transfer $469,272 from the operating budget to a County capital project for 2019-20.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
3. Discussion and Decision on the FY2019-20 County Fee Schedule
Commissioner Dorosin referred to the Solid Waste fee— page 495 — and asked if the
programs fee is going up form $132 to $142 to make it a self-sustaining enterprise fee.
Bonnie Hammersley said not exactly. She said it is on the step to removing a structural
deficit. She said even if she had recommended funds from the general fund, this would have
been the same fee. She said she hopes expenditures can be controlled going forward so that a
contribution from the general fund will not be needed.
Commissioner Dorosin asked if the value of the $10 increase could be identified.
Bonnie Hammersley said there are 64,000 parcels, which will yield $900,000.
Commissioner Dorosin asked if the Board does not approve this fee, would it have to
increase property tax.
Bonnie Hammersley said yes.
Commissioner Price asked if the other listed fees could be clarified.
Kurt Vaughn, Budget Analyst, said these fees were already scheduled for the schools,
and, as a part of making them an enterprise fund, they wanted to expand the applicability of
these fees to cover County properties as well as commercial opportunities.
Bonnie Hammersley said one of the concerns was that they do a lot of work for County
properties, and the solid waste fund has never been paid for this service, because the general
fund was paying for part of solid waste. She said now that there is no general fund, Solid Waste
can charge for service to the County buildings. She said it is not a large amount of money.
Commissioner Price referred to page 447, and asked if there is a reason why the special
event/vending fee is being raised by $10 per booth, as well as the picnic shelters and farmer's
market pavilion. She said residents use these facilities for family events, and these increases
will be significant for some people.
David Stancil said every couple of years staff does market studies, and the County is
well below other markets for these fees. He said there are also costs that occur for
maintenance, etc.
Commissioner Price asked if the increases could be done in $5 increments.
David Stancil said it is at the pleasure of the Board's.
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Commissioner Dorosin said he would like to have a conversation next year about fees
versus property tax, because fees are regressive, and property taxes are progressive.
A motion was made by Commissioner Price, seconded by Commissioner McKee to
(pages 447-48 in budget book) reduce the $10 fee to $5 increments
Page 448
Farmers market: $15 half and $30 all day (for residents)
Special events vending: $20 per day (for residents)
Picnic shelter: okay as is (for residents)
David Stancil said any increase will cover more than the current fees are covering, and
reiterated that these increases came about as a result of a market analysis and the County's
costs.
Commissioner Price said she does not mind increasing the fees but she would just like
the jump in increase to not be so large all at once.
VOTE: Ayes, 5 (Chair Rich, Commissioner Marcoplos, Commissioner Greene,
Commissioner Price and Commissioner McKee); Nays, 2 (Commissioner Dorosin and
Commissioner Bedford)
Commissioner Price referred to page 458, and asked if the storm water management
plan review/conservation area document review could be explained, and if staff is not currently
doing these.
Travis Myren said these have gone from a general fee to a more specific fee schedule,
and staff can follow up with more information.
Commissioner Price referred to page 467 (tank install and removal), and said the County
was charging $50, but now is going to charge $200. She asked if this is correct.
Chair Rich said this was last revised in 2011.
Commissioner Price said all the others were as well, but none have as sharp an
increase as this one.
Paul Laughton said that is for cost recovery, and it has been 8 years since that has been
changed.
Commissioner Price referred to page 468, and asked if the same applies for the
temporary tents and canopy.
Paul Laughton said that increase is also for cost recovery and labor.
Bonnie Hammersley said staff is trying to get cost recovery.
Commissioner Price referred to page 471-failure to pay civil penalty; under animal
control —and said the fee is going from $25 to $100, and asked if people are failing to pay
because they do not have the money to do so.
Commissioner Dorosin said the increase in this penalty brings it in line with the other civil
penalty (no rabies vaccine), which is also $100.
A motion was made by Commissioner Price, seconded by Commissioner Greene to
approve the fee schedule, with the amendments as suggested by Commissioner Price.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
Travis Myren said with all of the amendments, the bottom line shows a surplus of
$40,523.00. He said the easiest way to dispose of this surplus is to reduce the amount of
appropriated fund balance.
The Board agreed by consensus.
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4. Discussion and Decision on the FY2019-20 Tax Rates
i. Ad Valorem Tax
A motion was made by seconded by to
ii. Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School Special District Tax
A motion was made by seconded by to
iii. Fire District Tax Rates
5. Break(to allow Finance and Administrative Services to formulate Draft Resolution of
Intent to Adopt FY2019-20 Operating Budget)
The Board took a break at 10:32 p.m.
The Meeting resumed at 10:58 p.m.
6. Resolution of Intent to Adopt FY2019-20 Annual Operating Budget Approval of
Resolution of Intent to Adopt FY2019-20 Annual Operating Budget at the Board of
County Commissioners Regular Meeting on June 18, 2019
Paul Laughton reviewed the Resolution of Intent below:
Resolution of Intent to Adopt the FY2019-20
Orange County Budget
The items outlined below summarize decisions that the Board acted upon June 11, 2019 in
approving the FY2019-20 Orange County Annual Operating Budget and the FY2019-20 (Year
1) Capital Investment Plan Budget.
WHEREAS, the Orange County Board of Commissioners has considered the Orange County
FY2019-20 Manager's Recommended Budget and the FY2019-20 Manager's Recommended
Capital Investment Plan Budget; and
WHEREAS, the Commissioners have agreed on certain modifications to the Manager's
Recommended Budget as presented in the FY2019-20 County Manager's Recommended
Budget on May 2, 2019; and to the FY2019-20 Manager's Recommended Capital Investment
Plan Budget as presented on April 2, 2019;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Orange County Board of Commissioners
expresses its intent to adopt the FY2019-20 Orange County Budget Ordinance on Tuesday,
June 18, 2019, based on the following stipulations:
1) Property Tax Rates
a) The ad valorem property tax rate shall be set at 86.79 cents per $100 of assessed
valuation.
b) The Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools District Tax shall be set at 20.18 cents per
$100 of assessed valuation.
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c) The Fire District and Fire Service District tax rates shall be set at the following rates
(all rates are based on cents per$100 of assessed valuation):
• Cedar Grove 8.10
• Greater Chapel Hill Fire Service District 14.91
• Damascus 10.80
• Efland 6.78
• Eno 9.68
• Little River 5.92
• New Hope 9.94
• Orange Grove 6.81
• Orange Rural 9.15
• South Orange Fire Service District 9.68
• Southern Triangle Fire Service District 10.80
• White Cross 12.37
2) County Employee Pay and Benefits Plan
Provide a County employee pay and benefits plan that includes:
a. A wage increase of 2% for all permanent employees hired on or before June 30, 2019,
effective July 1, 2019. The maximum salary of each salary range shall also be
increased to accommodate the wage adjustment, as well as maintaining $15.00 per hour
as the minimum salary rate for all permanent employees.
o Employee Performance Awards — three levels, $500 for proficient performance;
$750 for superior performance; or $1,000 for exceptional performance, effective
with employee Work Planning and Performance Review (WPPR) dates from July
1, 2019 to June 30, 2020. Employees will continue to receive the performance
award on their current performance evaluation date, and it will continue to be
added to an employee's base salary.
b. A Living Wage increase from $14.25/hour to $14.95/hour, for temporary employees,
effective July 1, 2019, consistent with the Orange County Living Wage formula.
c. Continue the $27.50 per pay period County contribution to non-law enforcement
employees' supplemental retirement accounts and the County matching employees'
contributions up to $63.00 semi-monthly (for a maximum annual County contribution of
$1,512) for all general (non-sworn law enforcement officer) employees, and continue the
mandated Law Enforcement Officer contribution of 5.0% of salary; and continue the
County's required contribution to the Local Governmental Employees' Retirement
System (LGERS)for all permanent employees.
d. Continue participation in the North Carolina Health Insurance Pool (NCHIP), and
continue medical and prescription third party administration with Blue Cross Blue Shield
of North Carolina (BCBSNC) and Prime Therapeutics, a division of BCBSNC,
respectively. No increase to health and dental appropriations, and no increase to
employee premium equivalent for health, dental, or vision insurance.
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e. Continue the additional eight hours of annual leave to be awarded at an employee's
anniversary date, prorated for part-time employees.
f. Continue the six-week paid parental leave policy.
3) Modifications to County Manager's FY2019-20 Recommended Annual Operating
Budget
The following modifications to the County Manager's Recommended Budget are made:
Adjustments to the Manager's Recommended FY2019-20 Budget
On June 11, 2019, the Board of County Commissioners approved the following changes to the
Manager's Recommended annual operating budget for the 2019-20 fiscal year. The information
below summarizes changes made by the Board:
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Revenues Increase Decrease
Manager's Recommended Revenue Budget $236,444,623
Eliminate the revenue for the user fee of$3 per person to participate in open ($1,500)
gym at the Parks & Recreation gymnasium.
Increase Emeraency Medical Services Collections b $250,000 $250,000
Increase Ad Valorem Taxes by an additional .25 cents earmarked for climate $469,272
change initiatives
Reduce Fund Balance Appropriation 40 523
Total Revenue Changes $719,272 ($42,023)
Revised Revenue Budget 237,121,872
Expenditures Increase Decrease
Manager's Recommended Expenditure Budget $236,444,623
County share to enable funding for ongoing full-time housing locator position
within the Community Empowerment fund; to be administered by the Orange $13,738
County Partnership to End Homelessness Program
Approved cellphone allowance of$85/month; the internet to $75/month, and $5,628
move car allowance out of base salary
Add funds to the Commissioners travel line item in the County Clerk's
appropriation to cover anticipated increase in travel expenses for $4,000
conferences and training for FY2019-20.
Increase mobile telephone stipend from $35 to $50 per month for county $22,590
employees who use personal mobile telephones for county business.
Increase in Triangle Area Rural Planning Organization (TARPO)dues for FY $1,500
2019-20 from $7,500 to $9,000
Decrease $4,000 in Food Council division for one-time Equity Training that ($4,000)
was budgeted in FY 2018-19
Use funds of$154,000 from additional EMS collection revenue for the Facility
Accessibility, Safety and Security Improvements Capital Project for Elevator $154,000
modernization at the Richard E. Whitted Facility
Add funds of$15,000 for a Temporary position in AMS to assist with Capital $15,000
Projects management
Due to a reduction in HUD funds in the HOME Program, reduce $4,479 for ($4,479)
the County's share of the FY 2019-20 HOME Program
Reduce Transfer to OPEB b $250,000 ($250,000)
Increase Current Expense funding to Schools b $250,000 allocated bV ADM $250,000
Add funds from .25 cent Ad Valorem proceeds to Transfer to County Capital to $469,272
set up a Project to fund efforts to combat climate change initiatives
Total Expenditure Changes $935,728 ($258,479)
Revised Expenditure Budget $237,121,872
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4) Changes in County Staff Positions (Increase in FTE Approved).
Summary of Manager Recommended New Positions for FY 2019-20
GENERALFUND - RECOMMENDED
Department Position FTE
County Manager Chief Information Security Officer(starting January 1, 2020)** 1.000
County Attorney Staff Attorney 0.500
CJRD Restoration Program Legal Counsel (starting October 1, 2019)*** 1.000
Social Services Facilities Environmental Tech III(time-limited to permanent)* 0.000
Social Services CPS Social Worker(time-limited to permanent)* 0.000
Social Services Social Worker I(starting January 1, 2020)** 1.000
Sheriff Deputy Sheriff 1 5.000
Health Family Navigator 8.250
Health Nutrition Services Office Assistant 0.500
Transportation Operations Manager 1.000
Transportation OPT Driver 1.000
Transportation OPT Driver 1.000
Totals 20.250
* Time Limited positions requesting becoming permanent,already in base budget for FY19-20
** Recommending position start January 1, 2020.
*** Recommending position start October 1,2019
Solid Waste Enterprise Fund - RECOMMENDED
Department Position FTE
Solid Waste Senior Convenience Center Operatior-HZW 2.000
Totals 2.000
5) General Fund Appropriations for Local School Districts
The following FY2019-20 General Fund Appropriations for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
and Orange County Schools are approved:
a) Current Expense appropriation for local school districts totals $88,820,720 and
equates to a per pupil allocation of$4,352.25
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1) The Current Expense appropriation to the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
is $53,419,518
2) The Current Expense appropriation to the Orange County Schools is
$35,401,202.
b) School Related Debt Service for local school districts totals $17,770,542.
c) Additional net County funding for local school districts totals $6,889,597.
(1) School Resource Officers and School Health Nurses Contracts - total
appropriation of$3,629,597 to cover the costs of School Resource Officers
in every middle and high school, and a School Health Nurse in every
elementary, middle, and high schools in both school systems.
(2) Deferred maintenance funding of$3,000,000 by ADM is allocated to the
school systems by the following: Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
appropriation is $1,804,200 and Orange County Schools appropriation is
$1,195,800.
(3) School Equity Training —total appropriation of$260,000 towards
Foundational Equity Training.
6) Capital Investment Plan Funding for FY2019-20 (Year 1)
The following FY2019-20 (Year 1) Capital Investment Plan Appropriations are approved:
a) Overall Total Capital Investment Plan Funding of$48,050,906
b) County Capital Projects Funding of$10,560,764
c) School Capital Projects Funding of$34,512,606
d) Water & Sewer Project Funding of$1,060,000; Solid Waste Project Funding of
$1,545,536; and Sportsplex Project Funding of$372,000
7) County Fee Schedule
To adopt the County Fee Schedule to include changes included in the FY2019-20
Manager's Recommended Annual Operating Budget and further amended by the Board
of County Commissioners on June 11, 2019.
A motion was made by Commissioner Marcoplos, seconded by Commissioner Bedford
to Adopt the FY2019-20 Annual Operating Budget Approval of Resolution of Intent to Adopt
FY2019-20 Annual Operating Budget at the Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting
on June 18, 2019.
VOTE: Ayes, 6; Nays, 1 (Commissioner McKee)
Commissioner McKee said he voted no due to his opposition to the ad valorem property
tax and the BOCC salary increases, and requested that the votes be separated out on the
resolution at the June 18t" meeting, or he will have to vote against the entire budget, which he
has never done before.
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The meeting adjourned at 11:10 p.m.
Penny Rich, Chair
Donna Baker
Clerk to the Board