Orange County NC Website
Commissioner Gordon summarized the process. If the public or County Commissioners <br />have a question, they can go to one of the meetings or email Michael Harvey with questions. <br />When that is wrapped up, it will go to the work group, which will answer the questions and <br />prioritize the recommendations. This will then get folded into the consultant’s report. At a later <br />time, it will come to the County Commissioners to approve, and then come through the budget <br />process after that. <br />The Board agreed with the process by consensus. <br />Michael Talbert agreed that this is a living document and will be changed annually. It <br />will be brought forward every year with the CIP. He reminded the Board that improvements <br />have been made in EMS funding every year through additional ambulances, new EMTs, and <br />new telecommunicators. Staff is looking for priorities from the Board as to what would be most <br />important for the County Commissioners to do first. He will take these priorities back to the <br />work group. <br />Commissioner Yuhasz said that the performance of the fire departments as first <br />responders is a necessity. <br />Steve Allan said that the fire department study and the space study are to be quick and <br />he was not charged with analyzing the fire departments. He would like to meet with the fire <br />departments and talk about medical first responding. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said that there is nothing in the report about the Emergency <br />Services work group and Steve Allan said that it will come in the narrative. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said that part of the document should have an email for the <br />public to send comments or questions to. He said that he also appreciates the fractile <br />measures. He said that Orange County does need better resources, but he is appreciative of <br />the Emergency Services staff that does so much with so little. <br />Frank Clifton said that, as they have added staff, some of the significant issues with <br />these workers include the high stress, the high technical training required, and that these <br />workers are in high demand across local government, all of which can contribute to the high <br />rate of turnover in Emergency Services. Orange County will need to be competitive in all areas <br />of the hiring process, especially the pay. <br />Chair Pelissier said that the Board would like the work group to come back with <br />priorities and recommendations at the end of the process. <br />Commissioner McKee said that when comments are received, Michael Talbert should <br />put it into a memo and distribute to the County Commissioners. <br />Frank Clifton suggested videotaping the next presentation by Mr. Allan to the public <br />and placing it on the website. <br /> <br />3. Report on Paperless Agendas <br />Chief Information Officer Todd Jones said that agendas are now being produced using <br />a paperless process. There is interest in using iPads during the meetings. There are a lot of <br />hardware and software options. There are also small format laptops available as well. He said <br /> <br />that he would be happy to train anyone on using various devices for this process. <br />Commissioner Hemminger said that the training was great and helpful. She liked the <br />iPad better and she annotated tonight and it worked well. She said that the maps are much <br /> <br />clearer on the iPad. <br />Chair Pelissier said that she did not use paper at all tonight and used the iPad and it <br />worked well. <br />Frank Clifton said that there are some limitations with the iPad because the County <br />uses all Microsoft products. <br /> <br />