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155 <br /> <br /> UPON MOTION of Commissioner Payne, seconded by Commissioner Carpenter and <br />unanimously carried, the Board adopted the following Resolution as presented by <br />Chairman Barnhart. <br /> <br />A Resolution Establishing A Plan of Action for the <br /> Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners <br /> <br /> Whereas the population of Cabarrus County is continuing to <br />grow at an unprecedented rate; <br /> And whereas the demand for County funded services increases <br />along with the increase in population; <br /> And whereas the growth in the tax base, which is primarily <br />residential in nature, is insufficient to finance the many needs <br />generated by a growing population; <br /> And whereas the continuing proliferation of state and federal <br />mandates unfairly burdens the tax payers of Cabarrus County, often <br />diverting funding from such paramount services as education and <br />public safety, <br /> And whereas the Board of Commissioners of the County of <br />Cabarrus desire to conduct the business of the people in a fiscally <br />and morally responsible manner, striking a balance between a <br />reasonable property tax rate and the provision of services at <br />adequate levels; <br /> Therefore, be it resolved that during the 1995 fiscal year, <br />the Board of Commissioners of the County of Cabarrus will engage in <br />the following activities: <br /> <br /> 1. The commission of a performance audit to study county <br /> service levels, staffing levels and to examine potential <br /> efficiency measures and identify cost cutting measures. <br /> 2.The pursuit of equitable alternative revenue sources. <br /> 3. Continue the fight against unfunded state and federal <br /> mandates. <br /> 4. The establishment of a meaningful 3 to 5 year financial <br /> plan for county government. <br /> 5. To find a means to influence a more desirable balance of <br /> residential, industrial and commercial development. <br /> 6. The development and implementation of a long range plan <br /> for school funding and facilities needs. <br /> Be it further resolved that the Board of Commissioners will <br />work diligently with the Boards of Education to address the many <br />important issues facing education in Cabarrus County. <br /> <br /> Commissioner Carpenter asked for clarification regarding several items in <br />the proposed budget. Questions regarding those "frozen" items on June 10 had been <br />resolved and funding was included. The Arts Council appropriation was reduced <br />by $3,000.00 and a $3,000.00 allocation made to The Tropics - Bird Refuge <br />Program. The Parks and Recreation matching grant money was increased to <br />$100,000.00, and funding was included for a new patrol squad of six deputies. <br /> <br /> Members of the Board gave prepared statements regarding the FY 1995 Budget. <br />Commissioner Fennel opposed a tax increase but stated it would not be responsible <br />for him to stand in the way of what the tax increase gains for the county. He <br />listed such items as the Coddle Creek Reservoir, Muddy Creek Wastewater Treatment <br />Plant, ambulance transport, parks matching grant, restructuring of long term <br />debt, county-wide economic development funding, A. L. Brown High School <br />renovation debt service, six new deputies, QRV and staff in Midland, and money <br />to begin solving capacity problems in schools. In addition, Commissioner Fennel <br />stated that the budget puts into place the framework for future automation and <br />streamlining of County government. <br /> <br /> Commissioner Casper stated that she would cast a "symbolic negative vote" <br />for the FY 1994-95 budget. She called for fairness for the taxpayer and listed <br />the following objections to the proposed budget: (1) No demonstration of a <br />willingness to reduce the size and cost of government; (2) Budget expansion is <br />predicated on taxes levied on property owner, including the poor, the near poor <br /> <br /> <br />