Orange County NC Website
The 2008/18 CIP provided for an optimistic look into the next ten years, unfortunately many of <br /> those funding assumptions are no longer realistic. The experts say that the economy will not <br /> recover quickly and there is significant uncertainty in trying to plan for a multiple year capital <br /> improvement plan. <br /> Orange County promotes sustainability in all aspects of life in Orange County. It is important <br /> that the CIP also promote the concept of sustainability. Attached are the funding and project <br /> recommendations to be included in the fiscal 2010-2011 Annual Budget. Four projects totaling <br /> $1,700,000 are recommended: <br /> 1. Information Technology improvements incorporate a number of system upgrades <br /> and hardware replacements. A detail list of technology needs will be presented with the <br /> CIP. <br /> 2. 800 MHz radios for the Sheriff's department to replace an analog system that is not <br /> compatible with other law enforcement in Orange County. The Communication Center <br /> already is using the 800 MHz systems. <br /> 3. The Funding for the Loan Pool Reserve that funds a small business loan pool to <br /> encourage entrepreneurial business activity in the County. <br /> 4. Funding for the Mebane Economic Development District Phase 2, concept plan and <br /> design approved in concept by BOCC on 1/21/10. <br /> 5. To replace aging dental equipment at both Hillsborough and Carrboro dental clinics. <br /> FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is $300,000 transferred from the General Fund to the County <br /> Capital Fund. A total of $500,000 is being appropriated from the County Capital Fund Balance <br /> from projects closed out in June 2010. <br /> RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the approval of the first year of the <br /> County Capital Investment Plan (CIP), and requests you provide direction to staff regarding <br /> any changes to the content and format of CIP. <br /> Frank Clifton said that the Sheriff said he thought he might get some grant funds for the <br /> 800 MgHz radios. <br /> Staff answered clarifying questions from the County Commissioners. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs said that he thinks if the County is going to encourage Chapel <br /> Hill to contribute more of the hotel/motel tax to the Visitor's Bureau and Carrboro has a <br /> planned hotel, then there should be written agreements so that other governments do not feel <br /> that the contribution will be threatened by the County allocating it to its own needs. <br /> Regarding the loan fund, Commissioner Jacobs said that he has some concerns about <br /> putting the whole $200,000 in the loan pool. He said that the Board asked the Economic <br /> Development Director to give some feedback about how to use the $200,000. He said that he <br /> could see other uses for this money besides just the loan pool. <br /> Frank Clifton said that the Economic Development Director said that the greatest need <br /> was to help small businesses through the loan pool. <br /> Commissioner Yuhasz said that he shared Commissioner Jacobs' concerns about <br /> adequately supporting the economic development. Regarding the hotel tax, he would like to <br /> consider in any type of agreement to commit to spending less than 100% of what is collected <br /> so that there is flexibility to support other economic development activities. <br />