HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93011_0296 (2)"bouncing" back fast. Mr. Johnson said that in reference to capital needs, any recommendations
needed to be realistic and within the guidelines of the Local Government Commission.
Cash said a long-term solution needed to be found regarding rental units.
Johnson mentioned funding cuts out of the Governor's office. He said it would be foolish
to use any anticipated funding from the state to service debt. Mr. Johnson said any financial plan
needed to have some latitude, especially in the Mount Mourne area of the county.
Dr. Holliday said a growth update from OR ED should be available in June.
Commissioner Tice asked if the update would include the impact of the Lowe's Company
in the Mount Mourne area.
Dr. Lane said the OR ED projections would be "tweaked" with the Lowe's numbers.
Commissioner Norman asked if the growth projections for the Exit 45 area were
available.
Dr. Lane said the system relied upon the subdivision counts from the county's
planning/inspections department.
Tice said more classrooms would be needed when the Lowe's Company expanded.
Dr. Holliday said the school system's plans had been built in phases. He said a phased
plan had flexibility potential, but they were more expensive in the long run.
In regards to the committee proposed by Dr. Cash, Chairman Johnson said he felt the
county manager and the school superintendent should be included.
Commissioner Madison said that when he looked at the educational facilities recently
built, he was proud of them, especially when they were compared to what existed before the
1990s. He said the county and school system were not where they should be in regards to
facilities, but changes were being made. Mr. Madison then referred to a letter from a Celeste
Henkel parent who had complained about the school not having heat for 28 days this past winter.
He said the system had funds to make maintenance repairs and he questioned why the problem
had not been corrected.
Dr. Miller said, "We had a guy babysitting the boiler." He said the system did not want
to shut down a facility during the school term, and the boiler was scheduled to be replaced this
summer. Miller said he had been with the system for 34 years, and it was difficult to prioritize
the needs. He said roofing projects, alone, could "eat up the budget."
Commissioner Norman said he felt some public relations in the boiler matter might have
helped. He said the parents needed to be educated about the facilities and what was actually
occurring.
Dr. Miller said he cared about the welfare of the teachers and kids, and the system tried to
maximize its funds.
Dr. Cash said the system refrained from spending money on an item scheduled for
replacement. He said, otherwise, the system would be criticized for wasting money.
Dr. Holliday said that in regards to the fund balance and maintenance problems, that if
emergencies occurred, the money was dedicated. He said, however, the longer the long-range
plan was delayed, the less money remained in the fund balance.
Chairman Johnson said he would contact Dr. Cash. Johnson also said, "This is not about
me, it is about what's best for the county."