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The Board approved an agreement with Trigon Engineering Consultants, Inc. for testing which <br />will be done in association with the Jail/Courthouse construction project in an amount not-to-exceed $11,480 <br />and authorized the Purchasing Director to execute the appropriate paperwork. <br />K. BUDGET APPROPRIATION TO HOME HEALTH AGENCY OF CHAPEL HILL <br />This item was removed from the Consent Agenda and considered as a separate item. <br />VOTE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA: UNANIMOUS <br />ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA <br />E. LA MESA SUBDIVISION - PHASE II PRELIMINARY PLAN <br />This property is located in the northeast corner of the county south of Bacon Road between <br />NC Highway 57 and the Person County line. The total acreage of the tract is 72.65 acres. The applicant is <br />seeking approval of Phase II which contains 45.38 acres to be divided into twenty new residential lots <br />between .98 and 6.2 acres. Each lot will have an individual well and septic system. <br />Commissioner Gordon made reference to the impact statement and the fact that the price of <br />these homes will be approximately $90,000. The fiscal impact analysis shows that this development will <br />require more expenditures by Orange County for County services than the residents will pay in County taxes, <br />thereby resulting in a net loss for the County. <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to <br />approve the Preliminary Plan for La Mesa, Phase II as per the Resolution of Approval and the Planning Board <br />recommendation. <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />K. BUDGET APPROPRIATION TO HOME HEALTH AGENCY OF CHAPEL HILL <br />Patrick Mulkey expressed a concern for those individuals who are presently receiving help <br />from the $30,000 that the County contributes to this agency each year. Chair Carey noted that no one has <br />accepted the role for taking care of the indigent. The State has not accepted responsibility and the County <br />cannot afford to do it. Commissioner Willhoit asked for a report on how indigent care will be provided and if <br />Home Health will be taking responsibility for their share of indigents. Chair Carey mentioned that a report will <br />be available within the next month on the status of health care in Orange County and that this report will <br />include recommendations to this Board. <br />A motion was made by Chair Carey, seconded by Commissioner Willhoit to rescind the FY <br />96-97 appropriation to the Home Health Agency of Chapel Hill because of their change in tax status to a for- <br />profit entity. <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />IX. ITEMS FOR DECISION - REGULAR AGENDA <br />A. ELECTION OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS IN DISTRICT ELECTIONS <br />Chair Carey presented this agenda item. He asked that the Board consider electing the <br />County Commissioners using a Residential District Election Plan as described in the agenda. <br />Patrick Mulkey read a prepared statement. He made reference to the task force report from <br />August 4, 1993 and noted that the report offered two potential solutions to improve the current election <br />process, proportional/cumulative voting or district representation. The report listed three basic forms of <br />district representation. He favors the combination of district and at large representatives. He asked that the <br />commissioners move forward on this item. <br />Mark Marcoplos asked that this issue be continued as a citizens issue. He feels that the task <br />force did not have an opportunity to finish their work. He asked that the Board explore all alternatives. He <br />wants a system that insures fair representation like proportional representation would. <br />Helen Urqhart agreed with the two speakers above. She supports proportional representation. <br />She specifically said that she wants the process for consideration of any electoral reform to have wide <br />inclusion from citizens throughout the County and not just be referred to the staff. <br />Chair Carey noted that when he drafted this recommendation, he certainly did not have the <br />intent to appoint a committee because they have gone that route and he thinks if they are going to act on this, <br />they should provide for input in ways that they usually provide opportunity for citizen input through public <br />hearings and giving citizens an opportunity to comment on something specific rather than generate options