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18 <br />prolonged power outages, the battery backups are depleted and the wireless <br />communication system stops functioning. <br />G. Intergovernmental Issues <br />Objective: A greater level of intergovernmental coordination between Orange County and <br />the other governmental entities in the planning area. <br />Planning coordination with the City of Mebane has become increasingly important as the City of <br />Mebane continues to grow within Orange County. Intergovernmental coordination is becoming <br />increasingly important so that growth can be planned for in an orderly method and services can <br />be provided in a timely manner. Growth of the city affects Orange County as the county is <br />responsible for providing certain services for residents within the county, regardless of whether <br />they reside within municipal limits. For example, children who live in the city's limits but <br />within Orange County attend Orange County public schools, which aze a major funding item <br />within the county's budget. Social services such as health services provided through the <br />county's Health Department and senior services provided through the Department on Aging are <br />available to residents of municipal areas within Orange County. Rapid population growth can <br />have significant fiscal impacts for the county. <br />Additionally, Orange County is a leader in the state on preserving the quality of the environment. <br />Great care is taken to ensure new development has the least possible impact on the environment. <br />There is concern within the county that rampant growth within municipal limits will adversely <br />affect the environment and have negative impacts throughout the county. <br />Some residents in the planning area have expressed concern over the potential of their homes and <br />land being annexed against their wishes by a municipal government. In past years, some <br />residents have discussed the possibility of incorporating the community of Efland to better <br />ensure self-governance in the future. However, incorporation is only one solution to possible <br />annexation. Another possible solution would be to establish a growth boundary agreement with <br />the City of Mebane. Such an agreement could ease resident's concerns about annexation and <br />provide a more solid basis for all entities in the area regarding future planning. <br />Orange-Alamance Water System (OAWS) is also a significant quasi-governmental entity in the <br />planning area. The presence of a water delivery system is one of the major factors influencing <br />growth and the nature and form of growth. Coordination among the entities providing public <br />services in the planning azea is essential to guiding the future of the area. <br />The following are recommendations regarding intergovernmental issues: <br />1. As was discussed in the Water and Sewer portion of this section, the City of Mebane and <br />OAWS should be invited to become signatories to the Water and Sewer Management and <br />Planning Boundazy Agreement (WSMPBA). During this process, foreseeable limits to <br />water and sewer services would be defined and agreed to by all parties. The Towns of <br />Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough and OWASA (Orange Water and Sewer <br />76 <br />