Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
John Link expressed appreciation to retiring Clerk Beverly Blythe, welcomed Donna Baker, and welcomed <br /> Gwen Harvey, Assistant County Manager. <br /> He said that EMS Director Nick Waters would talk briefly about basic wildfire prevention measures and <br /> County Engineer Paul Thames would give an update on the Eno River and reservoir levels. <br /> EMS Director Nick Waters talked about fireworks and how they handle issuing a permit for the fireworks. <br /> Regarding wildfires in the County, they have had 19 fires this spring, which is a small number for this time of year. <br /> None were more than one acre with most being less than % acre. EMS cooperates with the fire service agencies <br /> and uses their fire readiness plan. There are environmental and weather factors that determine the fire spread <br /> predictor. The fire-spread predictor determines the readiness level of the plan. Anything which is#4 or greater is <br /> answered by several fire departments. The fire departments have had training in handling these kinds of fires. The <br /> Forest Service would be used for larger fires. Some areas of Orange County, in a major fire, could not be <br /> protected. Where houses are built in the middle of the woods, they are harder to protect. He distributed some <br /> photographs of a fire that happened in 1985 in Burke County. Three thousand acres were burned and 50 homes <br /> were destroyed. <br /> Commissioner Halkiotis made reference to a fireworks display he witnessed several years ago and <br /> commended the staff for taking the protection measures that were necessary. <br /> County Engineer Paul Thames reported that 40% of the storage capacity of Lake Orange has been <br /> exhausted. Unless we get a significant amount of rainfall tonight or tomorrow we will go into Stage III of the Water <br /> Ordinance. We will not be facing the level IV water restrictions in accordance with the County's Water Ordinance <br /> until we reach 70 inches below full which is only two or three weeks from now. Level IV restrictions include the <br /> restriction of water for ornamental fountains and pools, cuts down to one day for watering vegetable gardens and <br /> does not allow watering of lawns and asks the restaurants to use paper plates and plastic ware. <br /> In answer to a question from Commissioner Brown, Paul Thames said that Orange County's Ordinance <br /> applies only in the unincorporated parts of Orange County. Hillsborough's Ordinance does not match up with <br /> Orange County's ordinance and applies to those citizens who live within the city limits of Hillsborough. <br /> Hillsborough's Ordinance has an additional stage of voluntary restrictions which are not in the County's Ordinance. <br /> Commissioner Brown suggested coordinating with Hillsborough so that the restrictions are the same for each <br /> stage. She said that this clearly shows that there is a limited amount of water in some areas. <br /> Chair Jacobs agreed with working with Hillsborough to clarify the different water stages. <br /> 5. RESOLUTIONS/PROCLAMATIONS <br /> a. Adoption of FY 2002-2003 Budget Ordinance. Grant and Capital Project Ordinances. <br /> Classification and Pay Plan, and Personnel Ordinance Changes <br /> The Board considered adoption of the FY 2002-2003 budget ordinance, grant and capital project <br /> ordinances, classification and pay plan and personnel ordinance changes, which document is herein incorporated <br /> by reference. <br /> Commissioner Gordon clarified that item 8-q does not reflect any changes in the budget documents. <br /> Motion 1 —A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Carey to <br /> adopt the 2002-03 Orange County Budget Ordinance to include a countywide tax rate of 83 cents and a Chapel <br /> Hill/Carrboro City Schools District Tax rate of 19.2 cents. <br /> VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> Motion 2—A motion was made by Commissioner Brown, seconded by Commissioner Carey to <br /> approve the 2002-03 Grant Projects as presented in the County Manager's Recommended Budget. <br /> VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> Motion 3—A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Brown to <br /> approve the 2002-03 School and County Capital Project Ordinances. <br /> VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> Motion 4—A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Carey to <br /> enact, beginning July 1, 2002, a six-month hiring freeze on non-critical positions and to adopt the "Six Month Hiring <br /> Freeze Policy." <br /> VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> Motion 5—A motion was made by Commissioner Carey, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to <br /> suspend the following Personnel Ordinance provisions effective July 1, 2002 for employees with Work Planning <br /> and Performance Review (WPPR) Dates of July 1, 2002 and after: <br /> - In-Range Salary Increases (Article V, Section 7.0, "In-Range Salary Increase") <br /> - Meritorious Service Awards (Article V, Section 8.0, "Meritorious Service Awards") <br /> VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />