HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93008_1924va commissioners. There is some thinking that the school boards have agreed to this. I don't believe
the school boards would have requested what has been proposed. What this is is several schools of
thought. On June 6 there was a very lively debate by this board on the school funding issue, and
this board was split. The proposal that we had last Tuesday was something we could all support
without cutting the legs out from under the schools. The compromise was the 5% already in the
budget and an additional 4% coming from fund balance to increase the current expense to 9%. It is
not the best practice to be taking money from the fund blance. Fund Balance is for the future and
for handling emergencies.
-Mr. Sloan also spoke about the $600,000: fund balance the schools had. He also spoke about the
using of the county's fund balance. This means that if we are going to fund next year at the same
level, the board will have to raise taxes, he said.
Mr. Sloan addressed the subject, of the general obligation bond. He said this would require
about three cents using a 20 -year bond. This would allow the schools to accelerate some of their
capital projects. Mr. Sloan said the budget for the schools that is being adopted is not ideal. It
is not what anybody really wants, but is is a compromise. It does not raise taxes.
Commissioner Stewart spoke saying she did not have any prepared remarks. She said the $600,000
in the schools' budget could have been used to air condition some of the schools. She said she had
been on the board since 1984 and was involved in county government for ten years before that and she
has never seen the county have an eleven percent fund balance. She thought this has been unheard of
during the past ten to twelve years. She recalls that it is usually somewhere between four and
seven percent.
Mrs. Stewart discussed her thoughts on when would be the best time to enact the tax on the
school district. In her opinion a better time to do this is when the revaluation of property is
4 completed next year. This will give a better picture of how much one cent on the tax rate will
generate in tax revenues, she said. She said this, more than anything, has been the reason she is
reluctant to enact the tax in the school district. In addition, she said changes are still being
made in Raleigh, and the county commissioners still do not know what the outcome will be. She said
she had rather wait until it is closer to the first of July before adopting a budget.
Chairman Sloan made the statement that the legislature has not adopted a budget. The state
has already made cuts in the budget, and what is being done here today does not anticipate any
additional cuts that may be made in Raleigh.
COMMISSIONER MADISON CALLED FOR THE QUESTION.
VOTING: Ayes - 4 (Madison, Sloan, Stewart, Mitchell)
Nays - 1 (Haire)
SOCIAL SERVICES - ESTABLISHMENT OF THREE POSITIONS: Mr. Don Wall asked that three positions in
Child Protective Services be included in the proposed FY 91-92 budget. This is for a mandated
program concerning child abuse in Iredell County. The state will fund a portion of the money for
this program.
Mr. Mashburn recommended that the board approve these funds contingent upon the availablity of
states funds as a match with the county's portion for these salaries. Mr. Mashburn said $50,000 is
anticipated from the state and will require $25,000 of county funds which will come out of fund
balance.
MOTION from Commissioner Haire to accept the recommendation of Mr. Wall.
VOTING: Ayes - 5; Nays - 0.
CITY OF STATESVILLE AIRPORT 90-91 AND 91-92: There is $45,425 unspent balance in the
Statesville Airport line item. It is recommended that this be added to what is approved for the 91-
92 budget. The federal government matches these funds dollar for dollar.
RECREATION DEPARTMENT: It is recommended that the matching grants for the Troutman be carried
forward. This is $750. There is $1,825 for the Babe Ruth League, which will be needed in July and
August.
SIMPLIFIED ACCESS PLAN: Ms. Goodman advised the board the county has received a $7,500 orant
prior to June 30, 1991. This will be carried over in the 92-92 budget.
SERVING WARRANTS FOR THE CITY OF STATESVILLE: Chairman Sloan inquired about the serving of the
warrants for the City of Statesville. Mr. Pope, county attorney has a meeting with the resident
superior court ,Judge and some others. They hope to arrive at a solution regarding this matter.
STATESVILLE AIRPORT: MOTION from Chairnan Sloan to table the matter on airport appropriation.
VOTING: Ayes - 5; Nays - 0.
Ms. Goodman said the board could wait until after July 1 and reappropriate the funds if the
board wished to do so.
BOARD ACTION ON RECREATION MATCHING GRANTS AND SIMPLIFIED ACCESS PLAN: MOTION from
Commissioner Haire to follow the recommendation from the finance officer on the recreation matching
grants and the Simplified Access Plan.
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