Minutes 05-28-2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

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• Orange County Website— http://orangecountVnc.gov/ Conclusion Orange County exists to provide governmental services requested by our residents or mandated by the State of North Carolina. To provide these quality services efficiently, we must; • Serve the Residents of Orange County— Our Residents Come First; • Depend on the energy, skills, and dedication of all our employees and volunteers; • Treat all our Residents and Employees with fairness, respect, and understanding. Orange County Residents Come First 3. Public Comment Natasha Adams said she is an Assistant Public Defender in Orange County, as well as a current Board member of Pre-Trial Services, a non-profit since 1994. She said it is her understanding that the pre-trial services will be moved to the Sheriff's office. She said she is asking the Board to consider allocating $45,000, to be able to provide services to existing clients before this program is moved July 1. Jon Wilner is a Senior Board Member with the Communities in Schools (CIS) and he thanked the Board for their consistent support. He said CIS are not going to be in the Orange County Schools (OCS) this year but will remain in the Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools (CHCCS). He said more children will be served in CHCCS, reducing the waiting list, in an effort to keep them in school. He said CIS will be serving the same number of children this year as in previous years and he requested the Board of County Commissioners to give CIS the same amount received for the past 6 to 8 years. James Stroud said he is the Executive Director for the Center for Home Ownership and Economic Development in Hillsborough. He said he is here regarding the organization's Clearinghouse Network Pilot Program, which was brought to the Board last year. He said the program is not operational at this time as it was not funded. He said his organization is the only resource in the County regarding affordable housing opportunities. He said 180 people have been served so far this year and despite having excellent housing providers in the area, many people are still unsure where to look for housing. He said a centralized hub for affordable housing would be invaluable. Allan Rosen said he presently works at InterFaith Council for Social Services and has been participating with the Orange County Affordable Housing Coalition. He said included in the recommended budget is a program about a land banking program for affordable housing. He applauds this effort and hoped that the Board of County Commissioners would adopt this as part of the Capital Investment Plan (CIP). He said he also supports the proposed position in the Housing Department. Stacey Allred said he is a Counselor with the Exchange Club Family Center of Alamance and Orange Counties. He expressed thanks for the BOCC's ongoing support. He reviewed statistics regarding local child sexual abuse rates and asked if the BOCC would consider funding the agency. Sarah Black said she is the Director of the Exchange Club Family Center and asked the Board to reconsider their application for outside agency funding for more funding. She said her agency provides in home services for neglected children. She emphasized the importance of early intervention for children who are abused and neglected to reach greater success. Art Menins said he is hereto ask for$1000 for the public radio station WCOM. He said this is a volunteer run radio station serving as the voice of the community.