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Q 3'r <br /> PROPOSAL TO THE ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> FROM <br /> INDEPENDENT OPINION RESEARCH & COMMUNICATIONS. INC. <br /> Independent Opinion Research and Communications. Inc. proposes a <br /> three stage process in regard to your Capital Improvement Program <br /> document and its implementation. <br /> 1 . Preliminary Adoption of the CIP: <br /> We suggest that the Board of Commissioners adopt the CIP as a <br /> planning document for study at the present time, rather than as a <br /> final set of projects to be implemented within the 5 year period <br /> on the cover. This will give you a plan from which to work <br /> without committing you to any or all of the projects included in <br /> it, or any or all of the funding mechanisms described, either. It <br /> will also allow you to add other projects, if you deem them <br /> necessary. <br /> Adopting the CIP as an interim planning document also makes <br /> sense since you are in the process of hiring a new county manager. <br /> He or she will have suggestions that you will want to include in <br /> the plan before final adoption. <br /> 2. Study Process: <br /> a. Establishment of a Citizen Advisory Group on the CIP <br /> A broad based citizen group is very helpful in establishing <br /> community need and community acceptance of capital projects. The <br /> committee should consist of +/- 20 persons who represent different <br /> constituencies in the community and who can work in a consensus <br /> building atmosphere. The County Commissioners should themselves <br /> be part of this group and meet with the group on a regular basis_ <br /> The group should be facilitated by a trained individual who is not <br /> a member of the committee or of county management, and staffed by <br /> someone from county management who can see that the organizational <br /> needs of the committee are met. <br /> The Committee should study the community needs reflected in <br /> the CIP and any other needs brought to their attention through <br /> speakers, site visits, constituent comments, survey, etc. <br /> b. Survey of Registered Voters of Orange County <br /> A statistically reliable sample (500) of voters should be <br /> polled as to their perception of Orange County problems and their <br /> preferred solutions to these problems. This process will give the <br /> Citizens' committee and the Commissioners a much broader picture <br /> of true public opinion -than does the typical public hearing, for <br /> it disallows the practice of "stacking the hearing" in favor of <br /> one or two projects to the detriment of other presumably equally <br /> worthy projects. <br /> The survey can also help the Committee and the Commissioners <br /> decide which of the projects would be appropriate to place on the <br /> ballot for bond referendum vote. <br /> Independent Opinion Research & Communications, Inc. <br /> P.O. Box 501 - Wrightsville Beach, N.C. 28480 • (919)256-3976 <br />