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3. BOARD COMMENTS <br />Commissioner Jacobs asked that during the summer a sign is placed at the new Bolin Creek Park <br />that indicates that it is the "future home of Bolin Creek Park." <br />Commissioner Jacobs asked that the Board talk about the Arts Commission request for additional <br />hours for the Arts Director. He said that he has received about five emails from people who think that the <br />decision that the Board of County Commissioners made the other night was to cut the Arts Director <br />position from 40 hours to 30 hours. He did not think that this was the intention. <br />Commissioner Carey said that he thought they left this position as is and did not increase the hours <br />as requested. <br />John Link said that the proposal in the budget was to make this a 40-hour position. He assured the <br />Board that there is enough money to fund this position for 40 hours throughout the summer. <br />Commissioner Jacobs congratulated Department on Aging Director Jerry Passmore on his <br />marriage this weekend. <br />Commissioner Brawn expressed her delight and pleasure to serve on the Board of County <br />Commissioners and the opportunity to serve the citizens of Orange County. She said that the County <br />Commissioners would take a summer break until August 14t". <br />Chair Halkiotis made reference to a letter sent from Senator Edwards regarding the Shearon Harris <br />Nuclear Plant and the request for Senator Edwards to intervene in the storage issues. He said that he is <br />disappointed that Senator Edwards did not support a field hearing. He encourages the Senator to <br />rethink the field hearing process because he feels that it is a very viable way to get at some of the <br />information that we would like to see. He said that it was not that we distrust any elected official, it is just <br />that we would like to have a fair and open hearing. <br />Chair Halkiotis and Commissioner Brown will respond to Senator Edwards. <br />Chair Halkiotis made reference to Highway 70A and Lawrence Road and said that there was a <br />terrible accident there with four people being transferred to the hospital. He has asked the County <br />Manager to schedule a meeting with DOT so the urgency of this issue can be addressed. <br />Chair Halkiotis made reference to the emails suggesting that the County Commissioners have not <br />spent enough money in the budget. He spoke about the tax increases from the municipalities, the <br />County, and the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools district tax. He said that he was trying to be very <br />sensitive to the issue of the total tax picture for all citizens of the County. <br />4. COUNTY MANAGER'S REPORT -NONE <br />5. RESOLUTIONS/PROCLAMATIONS <br />a. Amendment to Orange County Educational Facilities Impact Fee Ordinance <br />The Board considered a proposed amendment to the Orange County educational facilities <br />impact fee ordinance. <br />John Link said that the Board authorized a study by Tischler and Associates to determine the <br />maximum supportable impact fees for housing units in both school districts. In a recent budget work <br />session, the findings were discussed as well as various scenarios. He spoke about the staff's <br />recommendation. He said that far the Orange County system, the recommendation was to pursue 56°l0 <br />of the maximum supportable fees. Regarding the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, whatever amount <br />that is determined should at least address the budgeted funding in the CIP. He said that the ordinance <br />far impact fees calls for the Board of County Commissioners to arrive at a fee in a reasonable manner <br />and pursue that fee from both school systems. <br />Assistant County Manager Rad Visser said that the staff felt it was important that whatever <br />level of impact fees the County Commissioners end up setting, it should be set to at least produce as <br />much revenue as is currently budgeted in the CIP. He said that 50% of the maximum supportable impact <br />fee would generate about $700,000 more than is currently programmed in the CIP for the Chapel Hill- <br />Carrbora City Schools. Fifty-six percent would generate about $950,000 more. <br />Commissioner Gordon said that she was surprised at this information from staff and thinks it <br />is a mistake. In answer to her question, Rod Visser confirmed that the impact fee revenue amounts <br />programmed in the CIP are different from the actual impact fee revenue since the programmed amounts <br />are based on projections made in the past. <br />