Minutes - 19990413 - Laserfiche WebLink

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John Link said that they are waiting for the report from the Parks and Recreation task force so there will be accurate figures for the CIP in developing active and passive facilities. Commissioner Jacobs referred to page 75, which states that there is almost two million dollars allocated to purchase environmentally sensitive lands, and said that this relates to the function of the County core projects. He made reference to page 76, Utility Extension Development, and asked if this fund is new or old. John Link said the fund is old and is available and has been used by Hancor. It is used when companies say they will expand and they need some infrastructure. They evaluate their investment in terms of how many jobs are created, the tax return, etc. It has not been used very much. Commissioner Jacobs made reference to the agricultural resources center, and said that there is a process described in the goals and objectives that talks about developing a work group for reviewing the purposes of the rural education center. He thinks a plan should be developed to try to get some of the tobacco settlement funds to pay for the building. John Link said that he has discussed with the EDC Director Dianne Reid some of the issues with the tobacco farmers who want to transition to another farming activity. The farmers usually do not have the capital to make that transition by themselves. He thinks that perhaps the tobacco settlement money could be a source for a loan pool. Commissioner Carey suggested that we use that goal to accomplish this objective and redefine our need for an agricultural center. There are going to be a lot of people in line for that money. He feels that this is important enough for the County to invest some County funds. He also feels that fall of 1999 is the time to buy the bonds for school projects. He asked if this amount includes County projects and John Link said no. The County would need to identify projects before that time. Moses Carey made reference to the 10.3 million dollars of excess in the last six years, and asked if this is the County's one-cent plan. John Link said that the funds may be designated for County projects. Chair Gordon feels that we need to look at the County's space needs and look at the projected needs and rationale. She feels the County facilities need to be consolidated. She made reference to the school parks reserve, and said that we are waiting for the Parks and Recreation master plan and the School and Land Use Councils to come up with a plan. She questioned the allocation of those funds, and said that it was not decided whether these funds will go someplace else, but that it would be decided each year. She also feels there should be a plan for justice facilities. Commissioner Halkiotis agreed with Commissioner Carey about not getting involved with a power struggle for the tobacco settlement. He feels the County needs to move ahead with an agricultural resource center. He feels that the administration needs to figure out what to do with the 10.3 million dollars and bring forth a proposal. The Board should go ahead and commit to this project before someone else claims the funds. Commissioner Brown asked for clarification on the 10.3 million dollars, and if it is taking away from the other funds. John Link clarified that this does not take away from any of the other funds. Commissioner Brown made reference to the animal shelter, and noted that it will need some type of work before 2004. Donna Dean said that the Animal Protection Society (APS) have not formulated their plans for shelter repairs. There has been some money allocated in the budget to take care of the top priorities for this building. Commissioner Brown feels the Board needs to do a priority list of the County needs for office space and facilities, and what departments may expand over the years. She feels an analysis needs to be done before money is put into projects. She suggested that before we proceed, there needs to be more clarification on where the funds are going. Commissioner Carey said that he is assuming that when a new facility is proposed, that there has already been an analysis done about needs, staffing, and space. If not, it needs to be done. He thinks that staffing projections should be done over the next few years, because the County facilities have been neglected for too long. He noted that there is a desperate need for meeting space in the center portion of Orange County. Commissioner Brown suggested leaving the Carr Building for Agricultural Extension and developing another facility for Planning and Environmental Health.