County Commissioners keep Arts Wing in budget
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Susana Dancy
Jun 10, 2009, 9:20:34 AM6/10/09
to Susana Dancy
Libraries & Arts Wing May Survive OC Budget Cuts
http://wchl1360.com/mp3/boccreader.mp3
Despite deep budget cuts, County Commissioners are committed to funding both branch libraries and building an arts wing at Carrboro High.
WCHL’s Elizabeth Friend has details.
At a budget work session Tuesday night, the Board of Commissioners voted to prioritize funding for all county libraries and pursue federal stimulus dollars to build the Carrboro High arts wing.
Library Director Lucinda Munger told the board that they would need to come up with at least $300,000 to keep both the Cedar Grove and Carrboro branches while opening the new Main library.
County Manager Laura Blackmon suggested some of that money could come from the county’s critical needs fund, which in the past has been used to pay for social service programs.
Commissioners instructed staff to scrutinize next year’s budget and come up with a funding plan before the budget is finalized next Tuesday.
Commissioners also decided to move ahead with a plan to build the arts wing at Carrboro High, provided the Chapel Hill Carrboro City School district qualifies for $5 million in interest-free loans from the federal government.
The project will push the county beyond its self-imposed 15% debt ceiling, but commissioners agreed that the availability of stimulus funds offered a unique opportunity that couldn’t wait, as the school system must borrow the first half of the stimulus money before the end of the year.
Commissioners will meet for a final work session at the Link Center this Thursday before approving the budget on Tuesday June 16th.
Elizabeth Friend News Talk 1360 WCHL
http://wchl1360.com/mp3/boccreader.mp3
Despite deep budget cuts, County Commissioners are committed to funding both branch libraries and building an arts wing at Carrboro High.
WCHL’s Elizabeth Friend has details.
At a budget work session Tuesday night, the Board of Commissioners voted to prioritize funding for all county libraries and pursue federal stimulus dollars to build the Carrboro High arts wing.
Library Director Lucinda Munger told the board that they would need to come up with at least $300,000 to keep both the Cedar Grove and Carrboro branches while opening the new Main library.
County Manager Laura Blackmon suggested some of that money could come from the county’s critical needs fund, which in the past has been used to pay for social service programs.
Commissioners instructed staff to scrutinize next year’s budget and come up with a funding plan before the budget is finalized next Tuesday.
Commissioners also decided to move ahead with a plan to build the arts wing at Carrboro High, provided the Chapel Hill Carrboro City School district qualifies for $5 million in interest-free loans from the federal government.
The project will push the county beyond its self-imposed 15% debt ceiling, but commissioners agreed that the availability of stimulus funds offered a unique opportunity that couldn’t wait, as the school system must borrow the first half of the stimulus money before the end of the year.
Commissioners will meet for a final work session at the Link Center this Thursday before approving the budget on Tuesday June 16th.
Elizabeth Friend News Talk 1360 WCHL
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