Orange County NC Website
Second, DCHC MPO and others were commended "for coordinating and streamlining the Air <br /> Quality Conformity process." <br /> Third, DCHC MPO and others were commended "for their collaborative efforts in producing a <br /> joint Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP)." <br /> Commissioner Gordon (Orange County member of DCHC MPO) stated that it was the first time <br /> that DCHC MPO and CAMPO had worked together to produce a joint LRTP and noted that the <br /> regional transportation plan was contained in one document, also for the first time. <br /> Commissioner Gordon reiterated that the plan presented by Triangle Transit tonight is a <br /> draft plan. She said that it is time for Orange County staff to get active and articulate priorities. <br /> She said that the Board has to approve a financial plan and authorize a referendum if it <br /> chooses to go forward. She said that there are other sources of funds and that this effort has <br /> broad support. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs thanked Commissioner Gordon for her work on this issue. He <br /> said that there are three issues that he needs to know more about. One is that his <br /> understanding is that the Wake Chamber of Commerce is pushing hard to have a light rail go <br /> north rather than west. He thinks that it will be important for the Orange County <br /> Commissioners to know what the overall plan is that everyone has agreed to. Another is timing <br /> and what happens if two counties approve the referendum and the other one does not. The <br /> third thing is a matter of proportionality. Obviously, the lighter end of the service spectrum will <br /> fall upon Orange County while Durham and Wake Counties will get more because they have <br /> more money. He needs to know answers so that he can tell citizens when they ask. <br /> Patrick McDonough said that Orange County could potentially contribute to a joint <br /> service with Durham County and receive more service. There is definitely multiple jurisdictional <br /> service. <br /> Damien Graham from Triangle Transit addressed the question of what would happen if <br /> some counties did not pass the referendum. He said that there was great discussion about <br /> this, and the bottom line is that if two counties pass the referendum, then the money is <br /> appropriated based on the financial planning that the two counties agree to that would be <br /> managed by Triangle Transit. If only one county passes the referendum, then the money is <br /> controlled and appropriated by that one county until more counties come into agreement. The <br /> hope is that all three can work together and have a seamless operation. He said that nothing <br /> is even close to being finalized. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs asked what happens if Durham County and Orange County pass <br /> the referendum and could they change the plan to suit their needs if Wake County does not <br /> participate. Damien Graham said that the way the bill is written is that the money appropriated <br /> is depending on the financial plan submitted by the counties before the referendum is passed. <br /> Commissioner Pelissier said that she is very excited about this. She said that Orange County <br /> has to do work now and it is important to work with all municipalities of Orange County. She <br /> said that when she worked on the Special Transit Advisory Committee, it was the consensus of <br /> the group that their ideal was for them to have a regional financial plan that was not <br /> proportional to the population in each county. <br /> It was to be a regional plan to meet all of the needs. She said that the reality is that <br /> each county creates their own financial plan because each county has different resources. <br /> Chair Foushee said that the plan is regional, but they need to be cognizant of the fact <br /> that funding is going to come in phases. She said that it would be helpful for the County <br /> Commissioners to see the funding plan out to 2035 the next time. <br />