Orange County NC Website
Section 7: <br />Commissioner Jacobs asked Planning Director Craig Benedict about money to do joint <br />planning with Hillsborough and Craig Benedict said that it is under non-departmental and it is <br />not recommended at this time. John Link said that there were several possible contracts that he <br />cut out, so that is why it is not listed. <br />Commissioner Jacobs asked if Hillsborough appropriated any money to that end. Craig <br />Benedict said that he was told that they would, but he has not checked on it. There is money <br />appropriated for the Orange-Alamance Water System contract, but not from Hillsborough. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said that if Hillsborough did provide any money, then the County <br />should probably match it. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis asked what was gained from the membership of the Research <br />Triangle Regional Partnership. Economic Development Director Dianne Reid said that the <br />partnership is one of seven across the state, and they serve as a marketing arm for the counties <br />that make up the region. They do trade shows, consultant visits, serve as a conduit for <br />contacts, etc. They receive about three inquiries a month for businesses looking for a location <br />in the region. One difficulty is not having a lot of product to respond to those inquiries. She <br />thinks it is a viable organization. <br />Chair Carey said that he is the County's representative on the RTRP, and he thinks it is <br />important for the County to continue participation. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said that the question is whether to give additional funding, <br />because this is an organization that seems way out of step with some values that the Board <br />considers important in Orange County. <br />Dianne Reid said that they have been paying a lot more attention to existing industries <br />and not as much to bringing in new industry. <br />Section 8: <br />Commissioner Halkiotis made reference to 8-1 and the request from the Sheriff and if <br />this reflects some decreases in fuel costs. Donna Dean said that this does reflect some <br />decreases in motor pool and fuel costs. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis asked if all vehicles were being serviced at the motor pool, or if <br />some agencies take them to outside garages. Wilbert McAdoo said that all are currently <br />serviced at the motor pool except for specialized services (transmission, glass, etc.}. <br />Rod Visser asked if there are any volunteer fire departments that should be represented <br />on June 16t" and Commissioner Jacobs said that they could all be invited to make comments or <br />ask questions. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis asked about the emergency telephone fund and Rod Visser said <br />that one component is that State regulations that govern how the proceeds of subscriber fees <br />can be used by public safety answering points charge fifty cents on the land line for telephones. <br />In the last five or six years, wireless phones have an 80-cent surcharge. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis said that he thought there was some debate in State <br />government about how the wireless fee could be used. Rod Visser said that there are several <br />bills in the legislature that would change how this fee is used. The 50-cent fee still comes to the <br />County. Commissioner Halkiotis pointed out that the monthly service charges from the phone <br />company to the County amounts to about 213 of the revenue collected by the 50 cents. <br />