Minutes 04-08-2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Commissioner Gordon said that her suggestion is to just look at these guidelines as a starting point. She would like to discuss this further, perhaps in the fall when we have more time. Frank Clifton said that most of the agencies that Orange County funds use the money for staffing costs. He said that there needs to be an obligation for a 501(c)3 that the public should support it. Each of these agencies should be raising money out in the community. Commissioner Nelson said that he wants to protect those organizations that serve people, provide food, help with mental health services, etc. He would have a hard time voting for a budget that had money for historic preservation and cut money for mental health programs. Chair Foushee said that the core mission of Orange County is that we are a service organization and they need to be attuned to human needs. He said the safety net programs are the ones they need to look at first. She said that the process for outside agencies needs to take place before the fall. She said that before the Board receives a recommendation from the Manager, the Board of County Commissioners needs to discuss this. Commissioner Pelissier made reference to the performance agreement in the packet and said that she likes this template. Also, she said that in the application process, she did not see that the agencies have to say exactly what they are providing to Orange County residents and she would like to have that included. Gwen Harvey made reference to page 23, Attachment A, Exhibit B, and the Scope of Services and said that there is a certification page that is designed to force the agency to certify how the money will be spent for Orange County residents. She said that they could reinforce this idea that this section is solely for Orange County residents. Commissioner Gordon suggested putting explicitly on the application, "outcomes that benefit the residents of Orange County." Commissioner Hemminger asked if there was anything that suggests doing background checks for employees of these non-profits that work with children. Annette Moore said that they could add this to agreement for those agencies that work with children. This can be done through the Sheriff's Department. Commissioner Jacobs suggested also requiring background checks on staff that work in agencies that work with senior citizens in Adult Day Health programs. Commissioner Yuhasz agreed with Commissioner Nelson about focusing on those agencies that help people. Frank Clifton said that the Board could pick a number and have staff work toward those funding requests tonight as a cap. Gwen Harvey said that last year the appropriation was $1,043,742 for 43 agencies. This was on page 28. This year, there is an additional $370,000 requested. Commissioner Yuhasz suggested spending no more than the proportion of locally- generated funds this year that was spent last year. He does not want it related to the general fund, but only locally-generated funds. Commissioner Gordon asked what one cent on the tax rate is and it was answered $1.5 million. Commissioner Yuhasz said that he does not want to see any aspect of the budget grow or decline disproportionately from one year to the next. Commissioner Jacobs said that at one point the Manager was talking about separating Parks and Recreation and having recreation become a function of a non-profit. He asked if this was still being considered. Frank Clifton said that the County is basically in the parks business, but ended up with some recreation programming, and he is looking at contracting recreation programming out to non-profits such as the YMCA, etc.