Minutes 05-30-2013 - Laserfiche WebLink

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enough from major stakeholders and experts on the ground, including agencies, schools and everyday users of County services. She asked that service, and not buildings, be made a priority with stakeholders actively involved in the process. She encouraged more attention to resource sharing and community based services with an explicit intention to support community services. She thanked the Board for pushing back on the project at the Blackwood Farm. She said there is a high amount of concern about the growing interest in a bond referendum and tax increase to fund a list of capital projects that have not had serious discussion about justification or urgency. She asked the Board to look into how services can be modernized, and this might lead to more money being found for the schools. Marilyn McTigue is a long time resident of Bingham Township. She expressed appreciation for the Emergency Services work group that engaged the public, and she said she would like the same process for library services. She said that, despite $25 million invested in new libraries in Chapel Hill and Hillsborough, she has to utilize two library cards and two web based applications to access the full collection. She said that the Chapel Hill Public Library is central to Chapel Hill and Carrboro, and she questioned the plans for the Carrboro library. She noted that many rural residents travel 15 miles or more to access a library. She would like to see the establishment of a library services workgroup with stakeholders from the town and County to devise a seamless library services plan for the entire County. She would like to see Commissioner Rich chair this group; and, as a dedicated library user, she would like be a member. Myra Dotson, representing the Orange County Voice, questioned the rush for a new Board of County Commissioners meeting room in Hillsborough. She asked if this is a good use of space and finances. She said that the Board has many meeting spaces and she asked if there is an overall plan and vision for community operation that is guiding these decisions. She said that the preference is for more emphasis on new styles of meetings, especially with the public. She suggested meetings in the communities at locations near to the issues being discussed. She said this shows respect to the public and engages them in the discussions. She noted the Board's ability to broadcast every meeting and asked that work sessions, retreats and public hearings be broadcast, regardless of location. She said that in this time of budgetary constraint, a new Commissioner meeting room should be delayed until there is a comprehensive plan for all community and county office space. Sam Gharbo asked the Board to support the previously mentioned suggestions about library services. He stressed the need for rural access to library services and suggested access to the under-used Efland Community Center. He said he will apply to a library services work group. Paul Rockwell speaks for Orange County Voice. He said the group supports excellent libraries, schools and social services. He expressed a willingness to pay a premium for good services but not for excess buildings, campuses and facilities. He asked the Board to redirect the focus away from building and more on planning better services. He asked for more partnerships to build better service models and save money. He said that more should be done to engage stakeholders. Kristen Commons has three children in the CHCCS and her family is a longtime proponent of education in Orange County. This is the third time she has come back to Chapel Hill, and she and her husband chose to live here because of the school system. She is concerned about the programming at Northside Elementary school and whether there will be funding to provide programs to reach all of the children, especially those with special needs. She expressed concern with dipping into the fund balance as this is not a sustainable action. She asked the Board to fully fund the school's budget request to maintain the high quality of education.