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importance of day care in education. She supports providing subsidies for parents so that <br />children can get into quality day care. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said that he is very supportive of this, but he has a concern. He <br />said that a few years ago the County Commissioners were lobbied for funding for affordable <br />housing, and a Housing Trust Fund was created. Then the State took away a lot of the <br />County's money. It is anticipated that there will be a difficult budget year again. He asked if <br />there was a proposal of how to stretch the funds in case there is not enough money for next <br />year. <br />Dee Gamble said that the primary purpose of this fund is to diminish the amount of <br />waiting time for childcare. With the 10°lo that is set aside, they hope to generate some interest <br />in sponsors. <br />Commissioner Jacobs asked about the matching funds and Dee Gamble said that the <br />funds would be matched until they have federal funds to pick it up. <br />Commissioner Jacobs requested that when an employer does match, to let the Board <br />of County Commissioners know so that they can honor them for doing this. This might be <br />another way of encouraging employers to participate. <br />Commissioner Foushee offered support for the recommendation. She asked about the <br />average cost of childcare in Orange County. Dee Gamble said that it could cost up to $1,000 or <br />mare a month. <br />Chair Carey asked about the response received from sponsors. Rosetta Wash said <br />that a couple of companies have expressed interest. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis pointed out that it costs a parent less money to send a child to <br />UNC than it does for childcare in Orange County. <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Gordon to <br />accept the Task Force Report along with the Social Services Board recommendation to release <br />the funds to Social Services with the funds to be used to assist families on the Social Services <br />waiting list under policies developed by the Social Services Board. <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />8. Public Hearings-NONE <br />9. Items for Decision--Regular Agenda <br />a. Possible Acquisition of the Triangle SportsPlex <br />The Board considered whether or not Orange County should pursue acquisition of the <br />Triangle Sportsplex. <br />John Link said that for the last ten years, Orange County has provided $400,000 in <br />subsidies for use of the Triangle Sportsplex to support the availability and affordability of the <br />swimming pools and other recreational opportunities for citizens in Orange County. This <br />arrangement is due to end at the end of this month, March 2005. The Board directed the staff to <br />conduct a thorough analysis of the potential for the County to acquire the Triangle Sportsplex <br />far current recreational opportunities and for the Central Orange Senior Center to be included <br />as part of the complex. Assistant County Manager Rod Visser, Purchasing and Central <br />Services Director Pam Jones, and Finance Director Ken Chavious have worked closely with <br />outside consultants -Blackman and Sloop and Corley Redfoot and Zack. The reports address <br />financial feasibility and facility concerns. <br />All of the reports included in the agenda packet or distributed at this meeting are <br />incorporated into the minutes by reference. These reports or other materials include a draft <br />resolution; the Blackman and Sloop Report; and the Corley Redfoot and Zack Report. <br />Rod Visser introduced those in attendance that have been working on this: Jeff <br />Thompson from LEDAHF, Inc. {Linked Economic Development and Affordable Housing <br />