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Jim Ward asked about the duration of the commitment of five years. <br /> Frank Clifton said that there would be a delay before the funding arrives. After five <br /> years, the Board can decide whether to continue the same funding distribution. <br /> Jim Ward asked if there was any discussion about the ten-year commitment. <br /> Commissioner Yuhasz said that the Board discussed a ten-year commitment, but the <br /> economic situation is not known and the County Commissioners wanted the flexibility to change <br /> it if needed after five years. He understands that it would be a full five-year commitment, and <br /> the short period of time before funding starts coming in would be in addition to the full five-year <br /> commitment. Chair Foushee agreed. <br /> Mark Chilton arrived at 7:15 PM. <br /> Commissioner Hemminger said that the County does not get to choose the wording on <br /> the ballot for this, but it is chosen by the State, and it is very confusing. She said that the <br /> County Commissioners are trying to focus on how much it would cost on a certain purchase so <br /> that the citizens understand what it means. She reminded everyone to educate the public on <br /> this. <br /> Commissioner Pelissier said that she has heard secondhand concerns about the <br /> allocation to the school systems. She has heard that people are concerned about which school <br /> system would get the money in any particular year. She clarified that the wording says that the <br /> funding will be allocated in an equitable manner and it will go to both school systems in an <br /> equitable manner. <br /> Sammy Slade encouraged the combining of economic development along with efforts to <br /> curb and mitigate climate change. He said that there is a move in the country to do <br /> weatherization and alternative energy. He said that there is also a huge opportunity for keeping <br /> the food local. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs asked Frank Clifton to give an update on the Shared Use Food <br /> Processing Center. <br /> Frank Clifton said that there are several grants and counties involved in this effort. The <br /> long-term intent is to create a 501(c)3 and take it off of County government. The County owns a <br /> building in Hillsborough on NC 86 and it is in the process of being renovated. There might be <br /> someone on contract that can run the center. There will be a board with a County <br /> Commissioner, the Cooperative Extension Director, and the County Manager representatives <br /> from all of the counties involved. There has been some assistance from Whole Foods and <br /> Weaver Street Market. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs said that there will also be a farmer from each county on the <br /> board. He said that this will be an opportunity to get local foods to institutional buyers. <br /> Frank Clifton made reference to the funding from the sales tax and said that the funding <br /> for economic development will provide opportunities for partnership with local towns to do <br /> different things with economic development. <br /> Commissioner Gordon said that the County Commissioners were hoping that this would <br /> be a positive thing for the towns and it is vital for the towns to support this to make it viable. <br /> 21 Solid Waste Plan Work Group Update <br /> Solid Waste Planner Blair Pollock introduced this item. The statutorily-required three-year <br /> update to the ten-year Solid Waste Plan was due to the State on June 30, 2009. There have <br /> been no penalties for being late although the statutes allow penalties such as ineligibility for <br /> State grants (to date the County has not been prohibited from receiving grant reimbursements). <br /> Due to the deliberate planning process that the County and its partner governments have <br /> engaged in, there is now a draft Plan awaiting additional review and comment by the public, <br />