As Durham's City Council and county commissioners worked through next year's budgets this week, some differences of opinion have emerged.

For example, over the Neighborhood College program -- a formerly twice-yearly course for Bull Citizens on how local government works. Some council members were not amused that the county has withdrawn its funding for next spring's term.

Mayor Pro Tem Cora Cole-McFadden wondered whether to bring the matter up at the next joint meeting of commissioners and council members.

"The county's just not committed to it," Councilman Mike Woodard said. "It's not fair for us to staff it without county help."

City Manager Tom Bonfield's recommended budget provides $3,000 for a class this fall.

"We need to show [the county] the value of investing in our citizens," Woodard said.

To which Council Member Diane Catotti responded, "Sounds like they're blowing them off on a regular basis, these days."

When Bull's Eye asked, Catotti declined to elaborate.

Durham Public Schools are in for a boost, according to County Manager Mike Ruffin's recommended county budget for 2010-11

Not so Durham County taxpayer.

The $461.1-million budget Ruffin proposed tonight includes a $6.15-million raise in DPS' appropriation, but also a 6 percent rise for the property-tax rate -- from 70.81 cents to 75.10 cents per $100 valuation. On a $200,000 home, the annual county tax would go up by $85.80.

The budget also eliminates the equivalent of more than 58 positions on the county payroll. Thirteen of those are currently filled, and Ruffin said the county is trying to place those employees in other jobs with county or city government.

Most of the increase is designated for increased debt-service costs and decreased revenues; the schools' increase, Ruffin said, will save 111 of 237 teaching positions jeopardized by decreased state funding and an anticipated cut in the county provision.

County Commissioners Chairman Michael Page took issue tonight with Durham PTA Council President Trilby McClammy over school financing.

In a letter to parents, McClammy wrote that the county holds "a rainy day fund of over $92 million" that it could use to avoid cutting its appropriation for Durham Public Schools.

Not exactly, Page said in a statement he read at the commissioners'  regular meeting.

Parents recently received a letter from the Durham Council of PTA's highlighting Durham Public Schools' budget woes. The notice pointed out the county's $92 million "rainy day fund" that the school system could tap into.

But only $36 million of that money can be used, Durham County Manager Mike Ruffin explained. The county's financial policy requires its total fund balance to maintain a 15 percent minimum balance. Any amount above that must be used for employment benefits.

"In short, we are not sitting on a $92 million largesse that can be used to assist the schools," he said in an e-mail. "In all candor, the county does not have any additional funds in its reserves that it could appropriate to assist with the school system."

DPS is preparing for up to 7 percent in budget cuts thanks to a reduction in state funding and a mandatory 3 percent budget reduction for all county departments. The system lost 139 teachers and 74 teacher assistants last year due to cuts and could lose up to 400 more positions after this school year, according to the PTA.

Durham County began its 2010-11 budget process today, with projections for more expense, less revenue and an increase in the property-tax rate.

"Next year is really going to be worse than this year," County Manager Mike Ruffin told the Board of Commissioners during a budget work session this morning.

Durham County is holding two "Conversations with Commissioners" on the county's 2009-'10 budget in March:

• March 3, 7-9 p.m. at the Museum of Life and Science, 433 W. Murray Ave.
• March 24, 7-9 p.m., White Rock Baptist Church, 3400 Fayetteville St.

The "conversations" consist of a presentation on the budgeting process and revenue-expense projections, followed by a period for citizen comments to county commissioners, County Manager Mike Ruffin and other officials.

"We need to be working from the same page," said county commissioners chairman Michael Page.