Minutes 05-26-2011 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

County Attorney This is on page 11-1. Michael Talbert said that this budget went up $6,000 to $461,000. Operational cost changes are $500 and there is no major change in this budget. John Roberts said that this amount is approximately $74,000 less than the County spent on comparable legal services in FY 2009. The difference has been approximately the same, even including outside consulting. He does not anticipate any significant operations increases ever. Commissioner Jacobs requested that the document list the 2010-11 outcomes. Frank Clifton said that the Attorney has advised that it is possible for the Attorney's Office to provide the legal services for the child support division. The overall savings to the County for this would be about $20,000. Economic Development and Visitors Bureau with Arts Commission Michael Talbert said that this is split into two areas — Economic Development and the Visitor's Bureau. This is on page 16-1. The total ED budget is $377,000, which is $20,000 more than the current budget. The increases are made up of additional funds for benefits and increases in several line items to provide better service to the customers. There is a push to do more business on the internet. Economic Development Director Gary Shope said that the County has actually established some very solid momentum in economic development. He has been expanding the website and working on some site analysis with one of the EDDs. There is a lot more interest in Orange County right now. He said that they have loaned about as much money as they can in the Small Business Loan Fund. Part of the '/4-cent sales tax will add to this budget so they can do more loans out of this fund. Commissioner Jacobs said that Gary Shope has done a tremendous job of being an ambassador in Orange County for economic development. He asked about the marriage of the Arts Commission and the Visitor's Bureau. Gary Shope said that in economic development, they regard everything as jobs and potentially generating tax base. As the Visitor's Bureau competes in a global market, it gets much more difficult when it has to compete with Raleigh. He introduced Laurie Paocielli from the Arts Commission. Laurie Paocielli said that the merge with the Arts Commission has been completely positive. They have been able to work together while maintaining separateness and capitalize on opportunities because they are together. As an example, the artists in Orange County have long asked for a comprehensive online arts calendar. This will be introduced in July. She sees future opportunity and growth between the two departments. Commissioner Jacobs said that there is no mention of staffing or the Economic Development Board and this conversation seems to have been lost. He said that two members of that previous board are in limbo and have not heard anything from Orange County. He hopes that this would be reflected in the objectives. Gary Shope said that he agreed and this should be in the objectives. He will provide something in writing about this. Discussion ensued on the small business loan fund. Commissioner Yuhasz asked how much money would be advisable to carry the loan fund through until the '/4-cent sales tax starts coming in. Gary Shope said that he would have to look at the past loans that have been made. Frank Clifton said that the last couple of years have been very active and they have used $200,000 last year. The goal is eventually repayment of the loans and the interest earned will create a fund to make the loans. There is $72,000 left.