Minutes 06-18-2013 - Laserfiche WebLink

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for the purpose of the development and construction of a County Jail facility; and authorize the Chair to sign upon final approval of the County Attorney. VOTE: Ayes, 5; Nays, 2 (Commissioner Gordon and Commissioner Price) 5-x Potential Orange County Fair- Summer Working Group Charge The Board considered approving a charge to the joint Board/staff committee appointed June 4 to examine the feasibility, process, scope and potential collaborators and stakeholders for a locally-focused county fair. Chair Jacobs said there was some difficulty in setting up a meeting with staff and Board representatives, so this group did not meet until late on June 14th. He noted that this is why this item just came to the Board this afternoon by email and is at their places this evening. Commissioner Rich said she really has not had enough time to read and process it. She said her biggest concern is the initial cost to the county, as outlined on the back page. She is neutral about the idea, but she is concerned about the financial impact. Commissioner Pelissier said she had similar concerns. She noted that most of the other fairs in the state are run by non-profits, rather than counties; and all of these broke even. She would not want to vote on a charge at this time without specific costs. Commissioner Gordon said that this will not be immediately sustainable. She referenced the statement in 2b regarding sustainability, and said this should be altered to state: "... with a model that at least enables it to become self-sustained over time; However the County Commissioners prefer a model that enables the County Fair to break even financially from the outset." She also referenced #7, and said this should be altered to further include: "... should, at least, be a self-sustaining model, which will diminish the County's fiscal and oversight role over time; However the County Commissioners prefer a model that enables the County Fair to break even financially from the outset." She said this should be added and this does not preclude the group coming back. Chair Jacobs clarified that Commissioner Gordon is proposing changes to 2b and 7. Commissioner Dorosin said he has no concerns with those suggestions, but he feels that the Board needs to be realistic about this event. He said this will be an invaluable service to the county, and the thought that it will not cost anything from the beginning is unrealistic. He said the intent of the work group is not inconsistent with what Commissioner Gordon said, regarding the idea of becoming self—sustaining. He said that if people want a fair without spending county money, then people don't really want a county fair. Commissioner Rich said she would like to have a better idea of the financial and staff impacts before she would vote on this. Commissioner McKee said that question and others should be answered by the work group. He said that, without going forward with the work group, the Board probably won't get answers. Commissioner McKee said he has his own questions, but he needs more details. He said that the work group should start working. A motion was made by Commissioner Price, seconded by Commissioner Rich to approve a charge, with changes suggested by Commissioner Gordon, to the joint Board/staff committee appointed June 4 to examine the feasibility, process, scope and potential collaborators and stakeholders for a locally-focused county fair. VOTE: UNANIMOUS