BC 1994 06 10 - Laserfiche WebLink

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138 · After discussion, the Board by consensus agreed to the "Deletions" as listed with the exception of the revolving file for the Elections Office. This item was moved to the "items frozen pending board review". Sheriff Canaday reviewed the funding request for the vehicles, bailiff and the additional patrol squad. The Board by consensus agreed to remove the funding for the vehicles and radios and bailiff from the "frozen" status. No formal action was taken regarding the new patrol squad. The funding for the Property Maintenance truck and improvements to meet ADA requirements remained "frozen" pending further review by the Board. The Board by consensus deleted the proposed $5,000.00 from "Additions" for the fire proof file cabinet for Elections. The Board by consensus approved the recommended increase in funding for Meals-on-Wheels, Cooperative Christian Ministries, Historic Cabarrus, GVAN, and Communities in Schools. The other items listed in "Additions" will be discussed at a later date. School Facility Needs Chairman Barnhart discussed the demands that the unprecedented growth in Cabarrus County is placing on government services. While many areas are affected, one of the most costly is the increase in student population in the County schools. This growth is having a major impact on such areas as facilities, current expense funding for the Kannapolis City School system, and the demand on local property taxes to fund educational needs. Chairman Barnhart reviewed the capacity of the County schools and listed the estimated cost of top priority capacity needs as follows: West Cabarrus Elementary at $6.7 million, East Side Elementary at $6.0 million, and Rocky River Elementary at $6.4 million. He pointed out that a commitment of five cents (5¢) on the tax rate for a "pay- as-you-go" approach would not generate sufficient funds until January 1, 1997 to build the first school. Therefore, Chairman Barnhart presented the "Cabarrus County Public Education Facility Needs, Action Plan for Resolution" which included the following short-term and long-term proposals. Short-Term: The Board of Commissioners should fund a facility to address the immediate need for housing new students based on a "capacity driven" approach to ease the over-crowding in the most critical areas first. The following conditions should apply: a. Board of Commissioners will have final sign-off on the project prior to release of funds or bid award. b. Options will be explored for the most cost effective way of addressing these needs, including input from the schools and the community and consideration of such items as the modular schools located in Florida. Long Term: To address more comprehensive facility needs, the Board of Commissioners and the two School systems should jointly pursue a course of action, beginning with a process of building broad-based support for educational needs within Cabarrus County. One suggested way to begin is to hold an education summit session(s) for open discussion to achieve the following goals: a. To build consensus on what the facility needs are. b. To seek ideas and understand alternative methods for funding various needs in the county. c. To build consensus on what funding methodology to use~ d. To gain an understanding of how the community wants to see educational services delivered in the future. A suggested process to follow would be the establishment of a questionnaire for gathering public input, seek volunteers to do a random telephone survey, compile generic results of survey, hold public education summit meeting(s), compile additional input gained, prepare ACTION PLAN to address the issues and implement solution that has broad public support, and "make it happen". Chairman Barnhart also presented the proposal to increase taxes by five cents (5¢) to include the following: Base Budget: >Education Increase in current expense >Education - Increase in capital $.0082 $.0016