Orange County NC Website
Commissioner Gordon does not believe John Link's suggestion to appropriate sales tax for impact <br />fee reimbursement would be revenue neutral for the schools if it were appropriated from the schools' portion <br />of the sales tax revenue, since otherwise the money would go to the schools. <br />Commissioner Carey feels that there is a distinction with new housing occupied by senior citizens <br />and houses vacated being occupied by families with children. He supports this kind of payment for <br />reimbursement of impact fees for housing for senior citizens but not for non-senior citizen housing because of <br />the impact of families with children moving into the vacated housing. <br />Commissioner Gordon feels that the rationale for the impact fee is that when new housing is <br />created it increases the housing stock. She does not support Commissioner Carey's distinction mentioned <br />above because she feels that this undermines the rationale for the impact fee. <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Carey, to approve the policy as it refers to first time <br />homebuyers and track the HUD policy on the number of years the units must be maintained as affordable <br />which would be 20 years or at least the number of years that HUD would require and for the purpose of the <br />home ownership policy, it should be restricted to first-time homebuyers as stated in the policy. For first time <br />homebuyers, this would not include rental. The HUD policy for the number of years is relevant for both. This <br />motion also includes an amendment to the policy to provide for advance notice of projects and to have the <br />reimbursements coincide with the budget cycle. (this approves the policy as written except #8) This motion <br />was seconded by Commissioner Brown. <br />Carrboro Board of Aldermen Alex Zaffron said that Carrboro is developing guidelines at the <br />present time. They plan to use HUD guidelines and the projects must be funded either by the State or <br />Federal Government.. <br />VOTE: AYES, 4; NOS, 1 (Commissioner Gordon) <br />Commissioner Gordon said she still feels the number of years that this housing will remain <br />affordable should be 30 years instead of 20 years. <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Carey, seconded by Chair Crowther to approve including <br />rental housing in the impact fee reimbursement policy as presented on the draft policy. <br />Commissioner Gordon asked to delay including rental property until information is received from <br />the County Attorney about the pros and cons of whether rental property should be included in an affordable <br />housing policy. <br />Commissioner Carey said that he feels this information is not necessary and that the staff should <br />be instructed to include rental property in the affordable housing policy. <br />Commissioner Brown asked that no action be taken but that the questions brought up be <br />answered at an upcoming meeting. <br />Commissioner Carey and Chair Crowther withdrew their motion. The staff will review the <br />discussion and bring this item back on another agenda. <br />C. CHARGE TO SKILL DEVELOPMENT CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE <br />Jahn Link presented for Board consideration the charge to the Skill Development Center Advisory <br />Committee. Several changes were made by Commissioners Brown and Gordon. <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Brown to adopt the <br />mission statement and the charge as stated below: <br />"The mission of the Skill Development Center is to provide adequate training and employment <br />services so that all Orange County citizens can be self-sufficient" <br />1. To advise and report to the Board of Commissioners on all Skill Development Center Activities <br />2. To support a holistic "one stop" approach to coordinating skill development and job search <br />services to citizens. <br />3. To assist agencies to design training to match existing and emerging jobs <br />4. To ensure the Skill Development Center provides labor market information, access to career <br />training and job placement <br />5. To assist with access to daycare and access to transportation to jobs and training <br />6. To establish formal linkages between employers and qualified workers <br />7. To offer a broad range of services to employers, businesses and the community in support of <br />the mission of the Center. <br />8. To establish annual measurable goals for the Skill Development Center's service outcome and <br />to review annually the service outcomes in relation to those goals.