Minutes 10-06-2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Chair McKee said the Board is trying to get it just right. He said the first bond discussion was held in 2013, and regardless of how the needs are addressed, they must be addressed and this will cost money. He said little money has been spent on the schools in the last 10 years. He said the bond conversation ramped up in early 2015 with a preliminary vote of intent to focus on the schools in April. He said the BOCC could have conducted a final vote at that time, but did not do so in order to include Commissioner Dorosin as well as give the public a chance to comment on the needs of the County. He said the BOCC has received several hundred emails, has listened to all public comments, and has considered the issues very carefully. He said he has been convinced of the need for both schools and affordable housing. Chair McKee said he has asked the Manager to put together a comprehensive master plan for the needs of seniors. He said he is uncomfortable going to $135 million for the bond. Commissioner Dorosin asked if$130 million would a possible option. Chair McKee said he would prefer to stay at $125 million. Commissioner Price proposed a big picture approach to the issue. She said there should be a $125 million bond that would be allocated as follows: • $120 million for the capital needs of OCS and CHCCS, allocating 40 percent to OCS and 60 percent to CHCCS. • $5 million for affordable housing based on a plan developed and administered by the Orange County Housing, Human Rights, and Community Development Department and approved by the BOCC, which plan shall include 35 percent of affordable housing for senior citizens and people with disabilities, including mental illness. Commissioner Price added that a companion proposal would be that $1 million per year, at a minimum, be committed from the CIP to schools to be divided 40-60 between OCS and CHCCS for at least the next five years; and that $1 million per year, at a minimum be committed from the annual operating budget to affordable housing, which may be used for non-capital needs, for at least the next five years. She said the implications of this formula will provide $125 million to schools over the next five to seven years, and $10 million for affordable housing over the next five to seven years. She said this plan could begin with the next fiscal year, as opposed to waiting until 2017 and the passage of the bond. She said this proposal would address housing and education needs, as well as provide employment through housing development projects. A motion was made by Commissioner Price, seconded by Commissioner Burroughs for $120,000,000 for schools and $5,000,000 to address the capital needs for affordable housing. Commissioner Dorosin asked if voting on the motion would bind the BOCC to the rest of Commissioner Price's outlined proposal. John Roberts said no, and that changes can be made on how the money is divided once the amount is set. Bob Jessup agreed with John Roberts. Commissioner Rich said she wished that Commissioner Price's carefully prepared outline would have been shared with the entire BOCC prior to tonight's meeting. She said it was a lot of information to take and process on the spot, and it is unfair that half of the Board had the information while the other half did not. She said it is indicative of the entire bond process. A motion for a hostile amendment to Commissioner Price's motion was made by Commissioner Rich, seconded by Commissioner Jacobs to raise the bond to $130,000,000,