Orange County NC Website
He said that the Orange County Board of Commissioners does a lot and this County is into <br /> services that other counties have not even thought of. <br /> Commissioner Pelissier thanked Frank Clifton for the report. She said that this will help <br /> in designing the upcoming retreat. She asked how the County Commissioners could give <br /> feedback since he is just an interim Manager and since there is so much information in this <br /> report. <br /> Frank Clifton said that, as an interim, the important issues he is addressing or will <br /> address while he is here can be used as a blueprint for the new Manager. He said that some <br /> issues will take years and may require legislative action. He said that, as far as feedback, the <br /> Board of County Commissioners sometimes needs to step out of the way and let the Manager <br /> do his job. He wants to know the areas in which the County Commissioners want to be more <br /> involved, but there are areas of business where the County Commissioners should not be <br /> involved. He said that the more the Board involves itself, the less the Manager is in charge. <br /> Commissioner Nelson echoed Commissioner Pelissier's comments about the value of <br /> this document. He wholeheartedly seconded the comments about micromanagement. <br /> He said that he has faith in Frank Clifton's judgment about reorganization and if there is policy <br /> involved he hopes that staff will come back and touch base with the County Commissioners. <br /> Regarding Human Rights and Relations, he said that it would be instructive for new <br /> Commissioners to hear how that department evolved and the lawsuit that stripped the <br /> department of its mission and to talk about whether this department is necessary. <br /> Commissioner Nelson asked about recommendations for the large number of advisory <br /> boards. Frank Clifton said that a lot of them are task forces that are finished with their work <br /> and a letter of thank you could be sent to the members. He suggested that, when staffing <br /> boards and commissions, that the membership should be turned over and the provisions <br /> sunset or consolidated. <br /> Chair Foushee said that the issue of boards and commissions should be discussed in <br /> more depth. <br /> Commissioner Yuhasz asked for more detail on the areas that could spin off into <br /> independent agencies. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs made reference to how to use this report and suggested making <br /> a list of direction given in the past, such as central permitting and a consistent sense of identity <br /> of County departments, etc., and bringing it back to make sure that the Board is still on board <br /> with the issues. Some items have already been blessed by the Board of County <br /> Commissioners, but are not happening due to technical issues. He made reference to the <br /> emergency services study and said that the Board is still in the dark about where this is. He <br /> said that this has been dragging on for years and he wants some concrete information about <br /> this. <br /> Frank Clifton said that the RFP is out for consultants and Commissioner Jacobs asked <br /> to see a copy of this. Commissioner Jacobs said that this was handled poorly before and he <br /> does not want to make the same mistake twice. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs made reference to economic development and said that this <br /> needs to be brought to the table and there needs to be a plan. <br /> Commissioner Gordon thanked Frank Clifton for this thorough report. She said that the <br /> Board needs to be clear about its goals and priorities and adopt them. Regarding Emergency <br /> Services, she said that she is confident that the Board approved correcting the addressing <br /> system, and this has not been done. Also, the 911 system has gone down twice lately and this <br /> is a concern. <br />