Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93008_1255SON toward consolidation, it would be up to the board to continue to fund or take that money and give it back as a tax decrease, put it in the General Fund, or whatever the board decides. Chairman Hedrick said the board had adopted a resolution requesting a supplmental tax district. He said he had spoken with Senator Howard Bryan, who said it may be necessary to have a referendum to set up a supplemental tax district. Chairman Hedrick said the board may need to consider the possibility of a referendum for a special tax district. Commissioner Ostwalt inquired if the purpose of the $800,000 is to facilitate consolidation, and if this is the most effective thing the board could do to bring about consolidation. Chairman Hedrick said in every case where they have talked about consoldiation, about the first thing they want to be done before they would consider consolidation would be to increase funding. The county manager said funding is the most important thing. Commissioner Ostwalt inquired if the funds would be spent only if the systems are consoldiated. Chairman Hedrick said this is the first phase. Mr. Deal said the fund would be set up in the budget much like a special reserve for capital construction. None of it would be spent without special action by the board. It must come back to the board before it can be spent. Commissioner Crosswhite inquired what the money would be spent for. Chairman Hedrick replied that it would be for current expense. Commissioner Stewart said she was in favor of consolidation, but was not in favor of setting up the $800,000 fund. Mr. Deal said these funds would be appropriated for current expense on a per pupil basis to all _ students in the three school systems. He said the law requires that current expense be given on a per pupil basis. Chairman Hedrick drew a graph on the board and explained the per pupil current expense alloca- tion by the county, Statesville, and Mooresville at the present time. The board members discussed the proposed escrow account further. MOTION from Chairman Hedrick to appropriate $800,000 to be used for Current Expense for a consolidated school system. If at the end of twelve months from this time, it appears that there is no consolidated school system on the horizon, the board may retract this resolution and return the $800,000 to the citizens in the form of a tax cut. Commissioner Murdock said she thought the board should make preparation for funding this amount so that it will be drawing some interest. In the long run, she said, that interest will be saving our people some money. She said, we cannot take the money out of fund balance without endangering the fiscal wellbeing of the county. VOTING: Ayes - 3 (Hedrick, Ostwalt, Murdock); Nays - 2 (Stewart, Crosswhite). SALARIES FOR THE COUNTY EMPLOYEES: The county manager said an across-the-board increase would affect all people on the staff with the exception of the sheriff, register of deeds, and county manager. The sheriff and register of deeds have been taken care of, he said. MOTION from Commissioner Crosswhite to give 21% across-the-board increase to the county emplo- yees. VOTING: Ayes - 5; Nays - 0. MOTION from Commissioner Crosswhite to give 21% merit increase to the county employees. VOTING: Ayes - 5; Nays - 0. MOTION from Commissioner Ostwalt to give the 2% 401-K across the board to all county employees. VOTING: Ayes - 5; Nays - 0. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS BUDGET: MOTION from Commissioner Murdock to put the County Commissioners line item for 001, Fees Paid to Board Members, to what it is for 86-87, which is $13,800. VOTING: Ayes - 2 (Murdock, Hedrick); Nays - 3 (Ostwalt, Stewart, Crosswhite). Chairman Hedrick said he wanted to give his Fee for Board Members to the school funding and asked the county manager to look into this. DISCUSSION OF REVENUES: The board members discussed proposed tax rates. Commissioners Cross - white and Stewart said they would like to see the funding at 43 cents. Chairman Hedrick said he was looking at a probable 44 -cent tax rate. He asked the manager to incorporate the user fee schedule into the revenues and bring back revenues based on 45t and 444. This would be resolved at the meeting on Monday, June 29th, 1:00 p.m., prior to final adoption of the budget ordinance.