Agenda - 11-08-2012 - 5a - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

25 1 Commissioner Yuhasz asked if anyone had talked to OWASA about this sewer. He said 2 that this is a significant amount of money to pay for a sewer. 3 Commissioner Yuhasz made reference to the minutes from June 5th and that there was 4 a request by him and Commissioner Jacobs for the County to investigate a low-cost loan 5 program for people to hook up to the system. He asked about the progress on this. 6 Frank Clifton said that nothing has been done yet. He said that the County has already 7 approved paying the connection fees for the water system, but there have been no takers. 8 Commissioner Yuhasz said that he would like to encourage the County's partners to 9 have a conversation with OWASA to see if there is something that can be done. 10 Commissioner Hemminger said that it is a complicated and complex issue. She said 11 that the County can run sewer, but cannot guarantee if people want to hook up. She said that 12 the school system is still interested in the Greene Tract for a future school. 13 Commissioner McKee made reference to the community center and said that the landfill 14 belongs to the County and is operated by Orange County and all citizens pay taxes to the 15 County. He would like to see this Board move ahead with the community center, and if there 16 are no partners, so be it. He supports building a new center if needed as quickly as possible. 17 Commissioner Foushee said that she appreciated Commissioner McKee's comments. 18 She said that the Board made a commitment to this community that the outcomes would be 19 different. She said that the County may not get financial assistance from the towns and she 20 sees the towns using this as a delay tactic. She wants to make a commitment as a Board to 21 ensure that the community center is built. She does not think that the Board needs to take on 22 as a task preserving the Hogan-Rogers House. She would like to see it renovated with some 23 private funds. 24 Commissioner Jacobs said that he agreed with what his peers have said regarding how 25 to proceed. He made reference to the list on page 5 regarding local government initiatives that 26 have been accomplished. One of the concerns is getting the speed limit reduced and someone 27 has done this. He does not know which government entity did this. He said that this should be 28 recognized. He made reference to item #1 and the $650,000 to extend water service and said 29 that this was a decision of this Board. 30 Commissioner Jacobs asked if there has been any discussion about selling the joint part 31 of the Greene Tract to help pay for some of the sewer costs. 32 Frank Clifton said that the Managers have talked about this but not the politicians. 33 Michael Talbert said that the task force did discuss this and there was confirmation that 34 the school system was still interested but it was not part of the charge of the task force. 35 Commissioner Jacobs said that he is curious about another possibility for funding and 36 asked if anyone had discussed putting the upcoming items (middle school for CHCCS, jail, etc.) 37 in the closure of the landfill with a bond. 38 Frank Clifton said that one of the key elements is the 15% of the total operating budget 39 for debt service. 40 Commissioner Foushee said that there was a comment made in the task force that the 41 County should pay for this and when she asked how the County would pay for it, there was a 42 clear suggestion that the County raise taxes. 43 Commissioner Jacobs asked if there has been any discussion about putting in 44 infrastructure and how this would affect the neighborhood. Commissioner Foushee said that 45 this was not part of their charge. 46 Commissioner Gordon said that it is important to move forward with the community 47 center and do it expeditiously. She would like more information on the pros and cons of having 48 a new facility or renovating the old house.