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21 <br /> 1 • Avoid a policy that is so formal, so "down in the weeds", so restrictive as to <br /> 2 eliminate Orange County from even initial consideration — maintain flexibility <br /> 3 • Staff comes back to the Board before extending offers — internal non- published <br /> 4 guidelines are working <br /> 5 • Talk about Orange County's competitive advantages - two excellent school <br /> 6 systems and quality of life <br /> 7 <br /> 8 Michael Talbert summarized what he thought he heard the Board say/discuss. That <br /> 9 every company that comes will be asking for incentives; but we don't have established <br /> 10 policies or guidelines, but informal guidelines, and it sounds like that's where we are <br /> 11 headed. He said that Steve Brantley is very conscious of Orange County values when <br /> 12 he is approached by businesses. The value Orange County brings to a project is huge <br /> 13 in terms of"sense of place", but it is a competitive process. He would like feedback for <br /> 14 him, Steve Brantley, and the next manager that they have informal direction in place <br /> 15 about how they are going to approach projects. If that is fair and equitable and <br /> 16 Commissioners like what they have seen so far, they will continue down that path. If the <br /> 17 Board wants to change that, to let staff know now. <br /> 18 <br /> 19 Rod Visser asked if there is anything commissioners want the Manager and staff to <br /> 20 consider doing differently, or should they continue on. He noted that there were no <br /> 21 suggestions from Commissioners about doing anything differently. <br /> 22 <br /> 23 Chair Jacobs asked Steve Brantley to come back with a memo explaining Article 46 <br /> 24 sales tax Special Revenue Fund pools of money for economic development initiatives. <br /> 25 Steve Brantley said they have not used a business investment grant yet. <br /> 26 <br /> 27 Chair Jacobs noted the County's willingness to assist existing businesses to expand in <br /> 28 Orange County. He asked how the county makes this known to them and how we <br /> 29 provide outreach to existing businesses. <br /> 30 <br /> 31 Steve Brantley mentioned several approaches they are making to do collaborative <br /> 32 outreach, but acknowledged the need to do a better job in this regard. <br /> 33 <br /> 34 At the conclusion of the economic development incentives discussion, Rod Visser asked <br /> 35 David Hunt to distribute to Commissioners a handout that compiled their responses from <br /> 36 the morning exercise to prioritize potential 2014-15 budget goals. He indicated an <br /> 37 intention to return to that document for discussion if there is time remaining after the <br /> 38 final scheduled retreat agenda topic. <br /> 39 <br /> 40 <br /> 41 4. Poverty — County's Role — Direction (Nancy Coston and Tara Fikes — <br /> 42 Presenters & Rod Visser) <br /> 43 <br /> 44 Rod Visser said that during the retreat planning committee discussions, he sensed an <br /> 45 urgency to talk about the topic of poverty, but also a sense that it is difficult to address <br /> 46 because it is such a big topic— it may be an issue more of managing poverty than <br /> 47 eliminating poverty. The committee settled on asking staff for updates on current <br /> 48 programs the County has to deal with the impacts of poverty. The objective for this <br /> 49 segment of the agenda is for the Board to discuss the update on poverty and provide <br /> 50 direction to staff. <br /> 51 <br /> 52 Social Services Director Nancy Coston said that a third of families slipped into poverty at <br /> 53 one time or another during the year. DSS sees that in Orange County with the many <br /> 54 people living on the brink. She said that he BOCC has done a lot to help DSS with those <br />