BC 2005 06 14 RECESSED - Laserfiche WebLink

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June 14, 2005 (Recessed Meeting) Page 226 responses to an email against the increase. He said the Board should not vote on the budget tonight and should give the budget back to the County Manager to make changes. He asked for further consideration regarding the proposed tax increase. Paul Juneau, resident of Concord and member of the American Legion and Disabled American Veterans, urged the Board to fund and approve the hiring of a new staff member for the Veterans Service Office in order to assist the growing number of veterans. He asked the Board to approve the budget. Beatrice Little, resident of 583 Love Street in Concord, stated she was 76 years old and cares for her daughter who is disabled. She commented on the difficulty in purchasing medication for her daughter and herself and stated she had never asked for welfare assistance. She objected to the tax increase and complained of taxes being spent to assist illegal immigrants. Liz Jordack, Executive Director of the Mental Health Association of the Central Carolinas, thanked the Board for its previous funding and support of the mental health programs provided by piedmont Behavioral Healthcare. She commented on the importance of continuing support for the hundreds of local mental health consumers and their families and the need to consider increased mental health funding in the future. Larry Marlow, resident of 664 Odell School Road, stated the Board cut the tax rate last year but he still paid more in taxes due to increase in the appraised value of his home. He stated the County would have to provide more schools and other services if the zoning is changed and builders are allowed to construct four homes per acre. Paul English, resident of 590 Allison Street in Concord, stated his children were home schooled and he was annoyed with the proposed tax increase because its main justification was to expand the County school system. He suggested that the County offer a $500.00 per year tax refund to those residents who home school their children. He said that would cut down on school overcrowding and be less expensive than educating students in the traditional way. Carl Hobbs of Mt. Pleasant asked the Board to choose carefully and spend County funds wisely. He stated he was at the public hearing to support the County Veterans Services Office and the services it provides. He said the number of disabled veterans continues to grow each day and shared the last two verses of a poem he had written about veterans. Jerry williamson of Concord objected to the proposed tax increase and commented on the following items: (1) Lack of television coverage for the budget public hearing; (2) County Manager's salary; (3) Fees paid to the County Attorney; (4) Cost of operating the Glenn Center for a small number of students; (5) Purchase of 67 acres for a school site and use of bond money to purchase an additional 40 acres for a greenway; and (7) Contracting mowing services. John Clark, Chairman of the Cabarrus County Democratic Party, stated the lesson to be learned from the tax increase was the importance of planning for the future. He suggested the following actions for future budgets: (1) Balance the budget each year; (2) Manage population growth; (3) Support the Economic Development Corporation; and (4) Look for inefficiencies in County government and ways to improve efficiencies to maintain the level of service. Liz poole, Chairman of the Cabarrus County Board of Education, presented statistics regarding the continued growth in Cabarrus County and the school population. She said the County school system is one of the fastest growing school systems in the State as well as one of the highest performing systems. She reviewed some of the accomplishments and achievements of the school system and its students. Finally, she asked the Board to approve the updated Schools budget as discussed during the work session and thanked the Board for its support of the schools. Justin Thibault of Concord commented on the success of the $98 million school bond referendum and the anticipated tax increase to pay for those bonds. He suggested that for future budgets the Board appoint a board of local citizens to review budget items, especially the larger projects such as school construction. He also suggested that the Board consider the use of wireless, or partially wireless, network systems when constructing new schools. Darrell Bost, resident of Kannapolis, said County taxes went up last year with the revaluation and a 19 percent tax increase this year was too