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* Y2K <br />* Regional solutions <br />* Welfare Reform <br />* Training <br />* Pay and Compensation <br />* Economic Development <br />Chair Gordon explained that they will discuss each topic and decide on priorities. The staff will take <br />these priorities and update/change the goals that have been provided in the retreat notebook. <br />Commissioner Carey noted that he wants to talk about a county policy on child care and the number <br />of employees who receive subsidy for this service. Commissioner Halkiotis would also like to include town <br />governments and both school systems in this survey. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said that he feels that child care for children of public employees is part of the <br />broader issue of how to keep daycare affordable for everyone and do it in connection with our living wage <br />ordinance. <br />Commissioner Carey added to the list of goals a discussion on firearms. He made reference to <br />several letters he has received in which concerns about firearms were expressed. <br />COMMUNICATIONS <br />Commissioner Brown outlined what the News Group did during the past year. They took an inventory <br />of what publications are available in the various County departments. They hope to develop a standard <br />design that will identify all documents as County publications. She feels that the tax inserts could also be <br />inserted in auto tax bills. She emphasized that the information on the internet and intranet needs to be <br />continued and expanded. They have worked on a customer survey card which she hopes will be <br />implemented this year. She would like to see a citizens guide to public access. This would include the I&R <br />guide. She feels that a countywide calendar would be very helpful as well as additional news releases to let <br />citizens know what the County is doing. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said that he feels we can do a better job of letting people know what we are <br />doing. He would like to look at ways to improve communication and one way is to have a sharper focus - a <br />specific phone number that citizens can call if they have a concern, complaint or problem where they are <br />guaranteed an answer in a specific amount of time. Also, the Board of County Commissioners will know <br />about these inquiries. He feels we should look at why our news releases are not being used. He would like <br />for our website to be more interactive. He suggested asking the Orange County Youth Council to develop <br />part of our web page to express youth concerns in the County. Also, after-hour voice mail would be useful. <br />He would like to see bumper stickers on County vehicles with a telephone number that citizens can call with <br />concerns. <br />Chair Gordon said that she would like to increase emphasis on news releases. She feels it is <br />important that we let the public know what we are doing and also receive feedback from the citizens. <br />Commissioner Brown feels it is important to keep the communication efforts in the Board of County <br />Commissioners office where hopefully they will be expanded. She feels that we need to be able to have <br />access to internet and intranet web pages without going through Information Systems. <br />John Link summarized the major issues as discussed above for the communications goal. He plans <br />to have the Information Specialist from the Clerk's office attend agenda reviews so he can pick up on what <br />would be newsworthy and be working on press releases; he will function as the County's internal news <br />reporter. <br />Commissioner Jacobs suggested developing a guide for citizens to guide them through the county <br />process.