Minutes 01-27-2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Commissioner porosin said $1,500 is more acceptable to him, but he thinks it should be higher. Commissioner Price asked if there will be an online application. Jim Kitchen and Steve Brantley answered yes. Commissioner Jacobs thanked the group for their proposals. He suggested inclusion of a statement that Orange County encourages a diverse workforce and values paying a living wage. He suggested a stand-alone statement, possibly on page 7 or 8, under "compliance and regulations." He said this could be just an affirmative statement at the end. Commissioner Rich asked that staff work with the other towns to make sure they know that this is going into effect and to get the word out to the community. Chair McKee noted the discussion about the amount for the smaller grant, and he asked staff to bring back a recommendation on this. He asked that Commissioner Jacob's suggestion regarding the statement on diversity and a living wage be included. Agricultural Economic Development Grant Program (attachment c) Karen McAdams is the agricultural representative on this board, and she said this grant is similar to the previous grant, but there are also some differences. She said the grant is to increase farm income. She said there is a diverse and strong agricultural realm in Orange County and this is an exciting time. Karen McAdams said the proposed application borrows heavily from the Rural Advancement Foundation application for their tobacco trust fund grants. She said her staff expects to process grant applications quarterly and to review this process in 6 to 12 months and tweak it, as needed. Karen McAdams said diversity will be considered in the selection process, with the types of projects and with the recipients. She said the grant subcommittee has suggested having members from the economic development advisory committee, as well as folks from the agricultural community. She said it has come to her attention that the agricultural preservation board would like to have input as well. She said input is welcomed from the Commissioners. Commissioner Jacobs asked if staff has considered asking applicants whether their proposed enterprise will fill an unaddressed niche in the local agricultural economy. Karen McAdams said this question can be added. Commissioner Jacobs said the present use value system subsidizes farmers, because they pay a lower property tax. He said the people who do not qualify for the present use value but are producers have to pay full County property tax. He asked about the possibility of giving a targeted boost to these people who are not able to benefit from the use value system. Chair McKee asked if targeting would be allowed in this program. John Roberts said this is a grant program, and he does not see a reason why targeting could not be done. Karen McAdams said this suggestion will be considered. Commissioner Price said she would request that this application be online. She said her concern is the amount of detail that is required to get$1000. She wonders if it is possible to streamline the process. Karen McAdams said the goal is to be good stewards of the County's money and to make sure that applicants are able to do something that will add more agricultural jobs and will get something done. Commissioner Price said she does not want anyone to be scared away by the application. Karen McAdams said this has been discussed, and this is why the agricultural application is different from the business grant.