Orange County NC Website
$$50,000 for Fairview Park, $250,000 for Efland-Cheeks Park, $3.5 million for an aquatic center at <br />Homestead Park, $250,000 far Smith Middle School fields, $1.75 million far two greenways in Chapel Hill <br />and Carrboro, $2 million for a soccer superfund, and $7 million for Orange County's Lands Legacy <br />program. <br />With approval of all bond components, the projected maximum tax rate increase is 7.5 cents. <br />This amount would be phased in over a number of years as the bonds are sold. <br />b. Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting <br />The Board recognized Finance Director Ken Chavious and his staff far receiving the <br />Government Finance Officers' Association {GFOA) Certificate of Achievement in Financial Reporting. <br />The Finance Department has received this Certificate of Achievement every year far the past twenty <br />years. <br />Ken Chavious commended his staff, namely, Howard Fitts, Dorothy Hurdle, Joyce Holmes, <br />Debbie Smith, and Debbie Hurtz. He also thanked Pam Jones, Donna Dean, Jill Robeson, John Smith, <br />and Elaine Holmes who also contribute to the audits and financial statements. <br />c. Orange County Emergency Preparedness <br />The Board received a special report on the state of Orange County's preparedness to deal <br />with emergency situations, including natural and manmade disasters and public health emergencies. <br />Deputy Director of Emergency Management Kent McKenzie reviewed the County's Multi- <br />Hazard Plan. He said that the County's multi-hazard plan is based an an analysis of risk and addresses <br />prevention, mitigation, and consequence management. Amulti-hazard plan is also department specific. <br />The plan is reviewed at least quarterly and is updated as needed. Assistance may come from local, <br />state, and federal agencies or other special sources. The focus of tonight's presentation is on terrorism. <br />Terrorism is different from other events because of the law enforcement focus and the possibility of <br />covert chemical or biological events. A terrorist event may involve civil unrest, weapons of mass <br />destruction (chemicals, explosives, biological or radiological exposure), and attacks on infrastructure or <br />technology. He summarized the Terrorism Program for the Sheriff's Department, Health Department, <br />and Emergency Management Services. In summary, County departments are approaching terrorism by <br />applying usual readiness to unusual times. They are operating with a heightened awareness and <br />alertness and conducting unified planning and response efforts. The preparation focuses on <br />interdepartmental cooperation. <br />Commissioner Gordon asked how the County would handle an overwhelming number of <br />casualties. Nick Waters, EMS Director, said that the concentration would be on saving the most number <br />of people in the shortest period of time. <br />Commissioner Gordon asked about an evacuation plan. Nick Waters said that the County did <br />not have an evacuation plan, but evacuation procedures far specific threats. Commissioner Gordon <br />would like to see an evacuation plan for an accident at Shearon Harris Nuclear Power Plant. <br />Commissioner Brown asked about specific coordination with the local hospitals and Nick <br />Waters said that there is good coordination at the disaster level. Hospitals have good coordination with <br />each other. <br />Commissioner Carey asked haw rapid you could get specimens analyzed by the State or the <br />CDC. Health Director Rosemary Summers said that the State public health laboratory is doing all the <br />analyzing of samples sent in and the preliminary results are usually available within 24 hours and final <br />results within four days. <br />Commissioner Jacobs asked if additional plans were being made regarding the Smith Center. <br />Nick Waters said that the possibility of using the Smith Center for a mass gathering place is being <br />investigated. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said that the County Commissioners have felt that as a Board that <br />there ought to be an enhanced evacuation plan for Shearon Harris. He thinks that the appropriate state <br />agency ought to be involved and we should also be asking CP&L to fund that kind of planning. Also, we <br />need to contact our Congressmen to see if there are federal funds for the emergency planning. The <br />citizens of Orange County should feel confident that the County has staff that is experienced and well <br />coordinated and that we have the resources to address these concerns in a sufficiently proactive <br />manner. <br />