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3 In answer to a question from Chair Carey, Mayor Johnson said he feels the cost of protecting county buildings should be paid for by all the citizens of Orange County because they use these facilities. Note: Commissioner Simpson arrived at this point in the meeting. Commissioner Willhoit asked if any other county in North Carolina fund fire protection out of their general fund and John Link indicated that there are counties which subsidize a fire district. Commissioner Willhoit noted that if subsidizing a fire district is considered, he feels it would need to be done uniformly across the County. Town Commissioner Martin said that the Town has identified a problem that could impact the protection of County buildings. What they are asking is that the County help them solve this problem. They want the County's input on how fire protection can be accomplished. Commissioner Willhoit agreed that it is a problem and that the County and Town need to find the most appropriate way of providing this protection. Chandler Cates pointed out that the Orange Rural tax of 4.25 is paying for protection of all the County buildings and County schools. Commissioner Halkiotis suggested that both the County and the Town study what other municipalities and counties are doing before making a decision on what needs to be done in this particular situation. Chair Carey agreed that they need to identify and study the options. Commissioner Willhoit asked for the property value of property other than County buildings like other nonprofit organizations, churches and town property. It was decided that Rod Visser or John Link would meet with the committee that was formed by the Town to explore options for providing fire protection in these two areas. 2. PROPOSED PARK BEHIND THE COURTHOUSE Economic Development Director Ted Abernathy said that the Park Committee met this week. He showed on a map the major features of the area. They are looking to divide the park into a passive park with a couple of key features. There may be trails, a stage for various events and an Occaneechi exhibit like a small village. The concerns include what to do with a pond and what should the bandstand look like. The next step is to do a design and layout of the entire area. Commissioner Halkiotis expressed a concern with the flooding of the area that happens once or twice a year. Commissioner Gordon supports the park concept. She feels that the plan should include future needs for County buildings and parking. Commissioner Willhoit questioned if the County had given up on putting a parking deck in the lower lot between the Sheriff's office and the new Courthouse. Commissioner Halkiotis indicated that it was not a dead issue and needs to be considered for future parking needs. John Link stated that his hope is that the parking deck could be a public/private venture. In answer to a question from Commissioner Willhoit about the Town's need for a fire station, Mayor Johnson said that they will need to