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302 Adopted this 19th day of May, 1997. ATTEST: /s/ Frankie F.Bonds Frankie F. Bonds Clerk to the Board /s/ Sue B. Casper Sue B. Casper, Chairman Proposed FY 1997-98 Cabarrus County Budget - Public Hearing - 7:00 P.M. Mr. Clifton presented an overview of the proposed FY 1997-98 Cabarrus County Budget. The proposed County General Fund Budget totaled $85,353,406 and represented a total decrease of 3.10 percent below the amended budget of FY 1996- 97. The proposed property tax rate of $0.65 included an increase of $0.04 to provide for the payment of debt service on the $49,000,000 voter approved school facility bonds sold during the past fiscal year. Chairman Casper opened the public hearing on the proposed FY 1997-98 Budget at 7:18 P.M. and asked if anyone were present who wished to address the Board regarding the proposed budget. Mr. Lee Eftrd, Chairman of the Kannapolis City Board of Education, spoke in support of increased funding for the Kannapolis City Schools. He stated the recommended current expense per pupil amount is not adequate to meet the needs of the students and the $186,000.00 in capital outlay funds is not sufficient to maintain the Kannapolis City Schools facilities. Dr. Harold Winkler, Cabarrus County Schools Superintendent, addressed the need for additional fUnding for the Schools. He expressed concern about the Schools' ability to meet both growth and inflationary needs with the proposed per pupil allocation and requested a 9.2 percent increase in the Schools budget to meet those needs. Mr. Mel Thompson of Kannapolis spoke in support of an increase in per pupil funding for both the Cabarrus County and Kannapolis City Schools. Ms. Anne Laukitts, representing the Cabarrus Communities in Schools, thanked the Board for the $8,450.00 budget allocation to that organization. However, she asked that the allocation be restored to the original request of $13,000.00. Ms. Gayle Deal, parent and member of the Kannapolis Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, asked the Board to make education its top priority and to increase funding for the schools. Mr. Ben Biggers, Vice-President of Tyler II Construction, reported that his company, which was second lowest bidder for the Human Services Center project, could complete the job 30 days faster than the Iow bidder. He stated in his opinion the earlier completion date was worth more than the $4,000.00 difference in bids. Ms. Janice Jolly, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity, requested the continued County reimbursement allocation of $3,000.00 for permit fees for Habitat homes. She recognized a number of Habitat home owners who were present for the meeting. Mr. Keith Wayne, President of the Kannapolts Ghamber of Commerce, reported that the Chamber's Board of Directors supported increased per pupil funding for the schools. Ms. Mary Margaret Flynn, Director of Cabarrus Victim's Assistance Network (CVAN), discussed the relationship of non-profit, governmental and for-profit agencies. She urged the Board to reconsider its decision to phase out funding for non-profits and specifically to seek a way to continue the partnership with CVAN to provide services to battered women in the community. Ms. Thelma Freeze, Executive Director of the L.I.F.E. Center, reviewed the services provided by the Center. She asked that the Board continue to provide the Center's 10 percent local match for the Home and Community Care Block Grant program.