Orange County NC Website
from members of the public who are not preselected, it will delay and undermine the efforts of <br /> the Board of County Commissioners and the staff to provide quality economic development in <br /> Orange County. He does not believe that is true. <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Gordon to <br /> open the process to members of the public to apply for this board, and for the Clerk's Office to <br /> vet the applications. <br /> Commissioner Foushee said that she is grateful to staff for what they had done on this, <br /> but she expected to see a broader field of applicants. She said that it is hard to consider <br /> someone on this list who has not submitted an application. She said that others have shown <br /> an interest. <br /> Commissioner Yuhasz said that he understood the concern about non-submittal of <br /> applications, but this should not stop the Board from appointing other members. He <br /> recognizes the need to be very specific in who is appointed and recruited for this specific <br /> board. <br /> Commissioner Foushee said that she would like to at least replace the four names that <br /> did not submit applications. <br /> Commissioner McKee said that the Board discussed this at a work session with staff, <br /> and he feels like the staff brought back what the Board asked for. He said that one of his <br /> parameters was that if there was not an application filled out, then he will not consider them. <br /> Another parameter he imposed was whether or not the applicant was an Orange County <br /> citizen, and if not, whether they were heavily invested in Orange County through business, etc. <br /> He said that the staff did complete the task set before them. He would at least like to move <br /> forward with as many applicants as possible. <br /> Chair Pelissier said that staff did what the Board of County Commissioners asked them <br /> to do and the Board made a commitment to work with the Chambers of Commerce to get <br /> recommendations. Some of these recommendations reflect that commitment. She said that <br /> she has heard from the public to open up the entrepreneurial category. <br /> Commissioner McKee asked to make an amendment to Commissioner Jacobs'motion <br /> to open the remaining slots to the public <br /> Commissioner Jacobs said that he would approve that amendment after his motion <br /> fails. <br /> VOTE Ayes, 3; Nays, 4 (Commissioner McKee, Commissioner Yuhasz, Chair Pelissier, and <br /> Commissioner Hemminger) <br /> The motion failed. <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Gordon that <br /> as the Board encounters positions that should not be filled at this time, that they be deferred to <br /> a public process and for the Clerk's Office to vet the applications. <br /> Frank Clifton said that the appointment process is term-limited and if others wanted to <br /> roll off, then others could be appointed. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs said that there is some "lack of inclusion" in this group that he <br /> would like to bring to the attention of the Board. He said that there are two categories that are <br /> glaringly absent. <br /> Commissioner McKee made a friendly amendment for the applications to be brought <br /> back to the BOCC no later than June 1 gtn <br /> Commissioner Gordon and Commissioner Jacobs agreed to accept Commissioner <br /> McKee's friendly amendment. <br />