Minutes 05-20-2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Commissioner Rich said a couple of things of interest came up during the forum season. She said Mark Marcoplos suggested creating a database of local businesses, and she would like to ask Economic Development to look into this. She said the idea was not for promotion of businesses, but just for creation of a database. Commissioner Rich said the Community Home Trust has provided a draft of their charter and would like to make a presentation before the Board of County Commissioners. She said the charter is for the next budget season, so this could be scheduled in the fall. Chair Jacobs said the Board had talked about trying to get the state to provide an air quality monitor in Orange County. He noted that Orange County is at the confluence of two major interstates and downwind of a number of power plants. He said he would like to raise this issue again on behalf of a citizen request. He suggested partnering with one of the research universities in the area. Commissioner Rich said PORCH is outgrowing their space for keeping food, and the organization is looking for assistance in finding warehouse space in Orange County, close to Chapel Hill. She said there is a small budget to pay for rental fees. 4. Proclamations/ Resolutions/ Special Presentations a. Distinquished Budqet Award Presentation for the 2013-14 County Budqet The Board recognized the budget staff of the Orange County Finance and Administrative Services Department for earning the Government Finance Officers' Association (GFOA) Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the 2013-14 fiscal year budget document. Clarence Grier said the GFOA distinguished budget award is the highest form of recognition that a budget can receive, and it has stringent criteria. He said the County has received the award for the past 22 years. He recognized budget staff inembers for their contributions. He noted that yesterday the County received notification from Moody's bond rating that Orange County now has AAA bond rating. He said Orange County is now one of 7 counties in North Carolina with this rating and is now AAA with all three bond ratings. He said this will keep interest rates low. Chair Jacobs expressed appreciation for all of the work completed in creating the budgets. He thanked the budget staff on behalf of himself and the tax-paying residents of Orange County. A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Rich for the Board to recognize the Finance and Administrative Services Director and staff for the receipt of the GFOA Distinguished Budget Award for the 2013-14 County Budget and present the GFOA plaque to them. VOTE UNANIMOUS b. Presentation of Manaqer's Recommended Fiscal Year 2014-15 Annual Operatinq Budqet and 2014-19 Capital Investment Plan The Board received the Manager's Recommended FY 2014-15 Annual Operating Budget and 2014-19 Capital Investment Plan. Michael Talbert referred to the previous item. He said the receipt of the AAA rating was a product of the policies adopted three years ago by the Board of County Commissioners regarding fund balance and funding policies. He said the Board gets credit for stepping up