Minutes 09-01-2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Commissioner Jacobs read a letter from the Orange County Parks and Recreation Council (PARC) that was sent to Board, per the potential bond referendum: Orange County Parks and Recreation Council July 8, 2015 Earl McKee, Chair Board of County Commissioners PO Box 8181 Hillsborough, NC 27278 Dear Chair McKee: The Orange County Parks and Recreation Council (PRC) unanimously recommends that any bond referendum planned for 2016 include provisions for funding projects for multiple areas of county services, and specifically Parks and Recreation. Our recommendation is based on the following: 1. The recently adopted Parks and Recreation Master Plan is largely meaningless without funding, which in the past Orange County voters have been willing to approve through bonds; 2. While funding for schools may be our primary current focus, the quality of life in Orange County depends on a balanced portfolio of county services, which all need to be considered in funding strategies. 3. We believe that a multi-target bond would have broader appeal, and therefore more chance of voter approval, than a bond limited to a single issue. Orange County has a significant retiree population who benefit from senior services; home-schoolers or childless households who use parks and recreation facilities; and environmental needs that concern all of us. Please consider these factors in developing and approving a bond proposal. Thank you, Neal Bench, Chair Cc: PRC; David Stancil, DEAPR Director Commissioner Pelissier said she wanted to give the Board an update on transit in Wake County. She said Wake County has been revising their transit plan, and expect to have a final plan in December with a vote targeted for spring 2016. She said it is possible that Wake County could add a half cent sales tax referendum on the 2016 ballot in their county. Commissioner Pelissier said the draft environmental impact statement can be a misleading term. She said this statement is not just about the environment, it is also about people, cost, ridership, etc. She said it is an extremely larger report. Commissioner Price said the Orange County Health Department received an award at the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) conference. She asked if there could be a public recognition of this award. Staff said yes. Commissioner Dorosin asked if there is a plan in place for the affordable housing land banking program. Bonnie Hammersley said she, staff and various departments are working on this issue and strategies to address it, and will bring it to the Board soon.