Orange County NC Website
5 <br /> 4. Pro3ect Budget -A realistic budget needs to be prepared by the Planning Department of the lead <br /> government.In addition to staff costs, the budget should reflect ample funding for logistics(meetings, <br /> advertisements, mailings, etc.), data gathering (with heavy use of GIS), and a generous printing <br /> allowance.Funding for video production would be highly desirable.Funds for professional facilitators <br /> At key points in the process may prove to be valuable. <br /> To develop a project budget, Attachment A was converted to Attachment B, Project Calendar/Cost <br /> Estimates. Assumptions used are listed in Attachment B, and an attempt was made to pick up all <br /> potential costs identified in previous budget projections. Funding for a guest speaker, technical <br /> expertise, and a video presentation were not included, other than through contingency funds. <br /> Based on these calculations,the total project cost is estimated to be approximately$180,000,including <br /> a 10 percent contingency factor.While the figure may seem high, if the 2-1/2 year completion time is <br /> accepted, the use of the original one-year cost($50,000) converts to approximately$125,000.Thus, a <br /> range of$125,000 to$180,000 for project completion appears likely. <br /> A major concern identified during the analysis involves the question of office space and equipment. <br /> Even if all jurisdictions accept the analysis and contribute their share to the effort, there is concern <br /> as to where are the people going to be housed, even on a temporary basis.There is no space available <br /> in the County Planning Department. Furthermore, if extensive use is to be made of GIB, there is <br /> concern that County staff'will not be able to carry on with data collection and analysis related to other <br /> projects if the work station is constantly in use for this project. A similar concern exists about PC <br /> availability.These concerns will require considerable evaluation.Otherwise,the project will significantly <br /> impact the County Planning Department's ability to complete other project work and carry out day-to- <br /> day activities. <br /> 5. Cost Sharing-Based on the revised budget projection,the cost of the project to each jurisdiction has <br /> been calculated on a"population" and "sales tax" basis. These calculations are shown on Attachment <br /> C, Cost Sharing, and include estimates for the total project as well as individual fiscal years. <br /> 6. Other Considerations-During the preparation of this proposal, several issues were identified for <br /> the governing boards to address. These issues included the following: <br /> • Facilitator costs may be low, depending upon the need for such services in Steps 4, 5, and 6. <br /> • Material costs associated with GIS generated maps (paper, ink cartridges, etc.). <br /> • Fit between"Humanities Grant"visioning process and 15-step process. <br /> • Formula to use (sales tax vs. per capita) for cost distribution. <br /> • Indirect costs associated with project. <br /> Discussions with Andy Sachs of the Dispute Settlement Center indicated that facilitator costs could <br /> range as high as $10,000, depending upon the extent to which facilitation assistance was required. <br /> Funds earmarked for contingency appear to be sufficient to cover additional facilitation costs as well <br /> as GIS supplies/materials. <br /> Andy also informed staff that funds may be available through grants from the state and federal <br /> Humanities ties Councils to cover some or all facilitation costs. Application for such funds is a two-step <br /> process.First, a small grant ($750 or less)is made available to a"humanities scholar"to put together <br /> the larger grant proposal. Second, the formal grant application is prepared and submitted. Although <br /> the Humanities Councils are interested in an oral history approach,Andy has indicated that he would <br /> work with the"scholar"to develop the grant proposal,including funding for facilitation,if the governing <br /> boards are so inclined. <br />