Minutes 01-31-2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Commissioner Gordon said she thought they should leave in the $400,000 for Southern Human Services site planning. Michael Talbert explained how planning money might be used and gave an example of perhaps moving a road later if needed because the Seymour Center site expansion would be constrained by the existing road. He said planning for infrastructure would give them flexibility for the future. Paul Laughton noted there is no funding included at this point for the affordable housing impact fee reimbursement. That is something they look at every year—there is $170,000 in the current year. He will be meeting with Tara Fikes on this, so the Board might see a change on this when the CIP is presented on March 11. Paul Laughton explained in more detail the allocations to Special Revenue Fund projects on page 10 of the retreat agenda packets. He said to date the County has collected about $4.2 million in Article 46 sales tax revenue and spent about $1.1 million for schools and economic development. CHCCS has their funding going to technology and repairs identified in their assessment of older facility needs. OCS has allocated its funds for their One to One initiative for laptops. Total Article 46 funding budgeted for 2014-15 is about $2.7 million. Paul thinks staff may need to come back to the Board at some point to reconsider the percentages allocated to make sure there are enough allocations to cover debt service. Commissioner Dorosin inquired about the small business investment grant line item and how that differs from incentives. Commissioner McKee says there will be a meeting next week— he will get a printout regarding what has been going on. Paul Laughton said nothing has been spent on business investment grants and no Article 46 funds have been spent for small business loans either. Paul will get the definitions of these to Commissioner Dorosin. Given time constraints for this agenda item, the Board agreed to go through the rest of capital projects by exception, dealing only with projects about which they have questions In response to a question from Commissioner Price, Chair Jacobs explained how the Board had adopted a policy based on recommendations from Economic Development Director Steve Brantley about how Article 46 proceeds might be divided up into various pots. Paul Laughton cited various percentages or percentage ranges approved by the Board, with the largest being 60% allocated for debt service. Commissioner Rich asked what, if any, are the procedures for having a long term plan for solid waste. It seemed that they discuss solid waste on an ad hoc basis, a little bit at a time. She said they will do an injustice financially to the County if they don't think about it long term. Paul Laughton said each area has a breakdown each year where improvements are to be and the funding allocated, for example for solid waste convenience center improvements. The Sanitation portion has a good plan for improvements, for example for large pieces of equipment. Recycling improvements depend on policy decisions remaining to be made. Commissioner Rich said she is thinking about the future and different ways to handle trash.