Orange County NC Website
1 <br /> DRAFT MINUTES <br /> ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> PLANNING RETREAT <br /> SOUTHERN HUMAN SERVICES CENTER <br /> February 10, 2012 <br /> 9:00 a.m. <br /> The Orange County Board of Commissioners met for a Board retreat on Friday, February 10, 2012 at <br /> 9:00 a.m. at the Southern Human Services Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. <br /> COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Bernadette Pelissier and Commissioners Valerie Foushee, <br /> Alice Gordon, Pam Hemminger, Barry Jacobs, Earl McKee, Bernadette Pelissier, and Steve Yuhasz <br /> COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: <br /> COUNTY ATTORNEY PRESENT: John Roberts <br /> COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Frank Clifton and Clerk to the Board Donna S. Baker <br /> SCHOOL OF GOVERNMENT FACILITATORS: Kelly O'Brien and Shannon Tufts <br /> Purpose: To agree on Orange County's priority investments in Communications and Information <br /> Technology. <br /> Chair Pelissier welcomed everyone and Introductions were made. <br /> 1. PURPOSE OF THE RETREAT <br /> • To agree on Orange County's priority investments in communications and <br /> information technology <br /> 2. REPORT FROM STAFF: FISCAL HEALTH OF THE COUNTY <br /> Clarence Grier, Financial Services Director, reviewed anticipated revenues and <br /> expenditures for the upcoming FY 2012-2013 budget. <br /> The Commissioners asked County staff about the decrease in state funding for <br /> childcare; County staff responded that this decrease was due to program <br /> administration transferring from the County to the state. County staff also stated <br /> that personal property tax revenues (from sources such as vehicles) are expected <br /> to grow the tax base. Manager Frank Clifton reported that expenditure growth in <br /> retiree benefits has nearly doubled in the past few years, so rising post- <br /> employment costs will require attention in the future. <br /> 3. COMMISSIONER EXPECTATIONS FOR THE RETREAT <br /> The Commissioners were asked to share what they wanted to get out of the <br /> retreat, as well as one item or aspect they would bring to the discussion. These <br /> included: <br /> What do you expect to get from the retreat? <br /> • An idea of how to use communications to better inform the public <br /> (improve messaging to citizens) <br /> • Development of a strategic communications plan <br /> • An understanding of the tools, strategies, and attitudes used internally <br /> and externally for communications and information technology <br />