Minutes - 04-24-2000 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Cammissianer Gordan agreed with setting up this committee but feels that there should be increases for existing facilities. Commissioner Brown agrees with doing a comprehensive study. She feels that additional funding far libraries should come from the State. She made reference to the equity issue that is reported each year by the Chapel Hill Library and the fact that it is not constructive. John Link said that two elective items that the County Commissioners fund each year are libraries and recreation. However, the County Commissioners are not mandated to fund either one. Chair Carey mentioned that there was not as much of a demand for libraries because of the Internet. He thinks the Commissioners should set a standard for this type of funding. Commissioner Gordan said that she was feeling a lot of pressure from citizens for funding of libraries and it is not even a core County function. Cammissianer Jacobs said that there was a consensus of the Board to look at an expected level of service for both libraries and recreation and that he would be willing to work on this Board. He asked that comments submitted by the County Commissioners last year on the budget process be returned to them. Also, he wants to be sure that news releases go out about the budget meetings. John Link made reference to the housing trust fund and said that he would try to incorporate some appropriation to that fund. Chair Carey said that he suggested a specific appropriation far the housing trust fund of $200,000 a year until the vision and the County's role becomes clearer. There will be two task forces in place that will give recommendations to the County Commissioners. He feels that the County Commissioners should use the $200,000 figure as a starting point. Cammissianer Gordan wants to see how the housing trust fund plays out in the scenarios. She said that it is not a care County function either. She said that there are a lot of competing needs in the County. Commissioner Jacobs said he is not opposed to a specific amount of money but he is not sure if the money for affordable housing should include those things the County is already doing or far new initiatives. He needs additional information on what the County is doing at the present time far housing. He suggested allocating one cent aver athree-year period, which would be approximately $225,000 a year. He does not have enough information to set a specific amount. Chair Carey said that he sees the fact that there is not a comprehensive plan not as a deterrent for not setting aside an amount of money because ultimately the County Commissioners will decide how to spend the money. He also wants to know what the current expenditures are for affordable housing but not necessarily before he agrees to set aside an amount of money for this effort. Commissioner Halkiotis emphasized that the Orange County Board of Commissioners go beyond funding the core functions in County government. He agrees with setting aside some money for affordable housing. He agrees with Commissioner Brown's statement a few meetings ago that the County Commissioners should ask for proposals according to what the Board wants to see happen. Commissioner Brown said that she feels the County should put funds into affordable housing. She also feels that there are other ways to encourage affordable housing such as through the County's Zoning Ordinance. She feels the County Commissioners should look at how the money has been expended in the past. She asked about setting up a revolving account from the band monies. John Link said that the property tax money did not necessarily have to be used. He said that he would present several proposals on how to fund affordable housing. He said that using the sales tax would also be an option for funding affordable housing. Commissioner Brown feels that the municipalities should be a part of funding affordable housing and that there should be matching funds from the municipalities. Commissioner Jacobs asked for information on keeping Aging and Transportation under one Director and at what paint the County Commissioners would consider these two functions under two departments. John Link said that this would need in-depth study before a recommendation could be made.