Minutes 06-04-2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Carla Banks said the past year was very productive in the Public Affairs Office. Commissioner Jacobs asked Laurie Paolicelli if the fund balance is back in her purview. Laurie Paolicelli said yes. Commissioner Jacobs asked if the Carolina Inn is ever approached to pay sales tax. Laurie Paolicelli said the Carolina Inn is part of the North Carolina Revenue and Taxation code. She said it is deemed a "necessary instrumentality" for the State to do its business. She said about one third of major donors are tax exempt. She said the topic of approaching the Chancellor and the Board of Governors about changing this has arisen on occasion and she would be supportive of such a conversation. Commissioner Jacobs said he would encourage her and the Visitors Bureau Board to pursue this making the Inn equal to its competitors. Commissioner Jacobs asked if the new UNC Arts facility has long term impact on the Carrboro Arts Centers. Laurie Paolicelli said this Arts facility came as a surprise since this extension was part of the Arts Center planning. She said the newly proposed space will serve Orange County well and she is not sure that it will cancel out the Carrboro Arts Center. She said feels there is room for both. Commissioner Jacobs said he brought this issue up because if the County partners with the Carrboro Arts Center going forward, the impact of the UNC facility would have to be considered. Commissioner Rich said the Visitors Bureau is still paying the County for some services that other departments are not, such as rent. Commissioner Rich said any taxes from visitor spending goes into the Visitors Bureau Budget, and Chapel Hill contributes but Carrboro and Hillsborough do not. She said it would be nice to have Carrboro and Hillsborough give some of their tax dollars back to Orange County as they have voting seats on the Board of the Visitors Bureau. The Board decided to adjourn the meeting at 10:30pm and, with the exception of Cooperative Extension and Emergency Services, defer the rest of the departments until June 9, 2015. • Cooperative Extension, Pg. 107 Darrell Butts reviewed the following information: Budget Highlights • The FY15-16 Manager Recommended Budget includes an increase of$11,791 in Personnel Services due to staff reductions by NC State University. Orange County will pay a greater share of salaries for 3 employees. • All employees within the Cooperative Extension Service are State employees and are budgeted as contract personnel, as per the Memorandum of Agreement with the State. • The $20,000 in revenue includes class fee revenue at the W. C. Breeze Family Farm; the County continues to contribute $10,000 for the programs at the Breeze Farm and is included within the department's Operating budget. Commissioner Jacobs asked if there is an update on the Memorandum of Agreement regarding increased County control at the W. C. Breeze Family Farm. Carl Matyac, County Extension Director, said he has had conversations with all stake holders, and all seem in favor of such a memorandum. He said a draft has been created for a long term plan for the farm. Commissioner Jacobs asked if the Board will see the memorandum before it is signed. Bonnie Hammersley said absolutely.