Minutes 02-21-2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

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9 Diversity and Inclusion Program On November 3rd, they held a special meeting to receive information and insights from five professionals in Diversity and Inclusion. Staff is revising the draft program submitted to the Board in June and they will have further discussion in February 2017. Terri Buckner asked the Board of County Commissioners if it would rethink its allocation of appointments to the OWASA board; changing it to four representatives from Chapel Hill; three from Carrboro; and two from Orange County. Commissioner Marcoplos asked if the daily savings for the reuse project could be identified. Ed Kerwin said between 400-500,000 gallons per day. He said the University of North Carolina (UNC) has been a particularly strong partner. Commissioner Jacobs asked if there is an update on the bio solid land application, if the same amount of acreage is being used, and if the same strategy will be used going forward. Ed Kerwin said the acreage is about 1,100 to 1,200, which is the same acreage, much of which is private land. He said about 18 months ago, the OWASA Board considered a number of alternatives, but decided to continue land application of highly treated liquid bio solids. He said the goal is that 75% of the bio solids produced at the Mason Farm Waste-Water Treatment Plant would be recycled on local farmland in surrounding counties; with the remaining 25% composted at a private facility in Chatham County. Commissioner Rich asked Terri Buckner if she could explain the Care to Share Program, and provide an update on how many people use it Terri Buckner said this program is their round up program, where customers can round their bill up to the nearest dollar, and the excess funds go to the IFC. She said the program is not doing great and has reached a stalemate. Chair Dorosin asked if the steps to changing the composition of the Board could be outlined. Bob Epting said the composition was set by the three entities, and would require an approved amendment of the purchase and sale agreements by the three entities: Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Orange County. Commissioner Marcoplos asked if the problem with the composition could be identified. Terri Buckner said this is a touchy subject. She said right now Chapel Hill has appointed five engineers to the Board, while most of the other board members are not engineers and she said there needs to be a more balanced perspective. She said it is a question of whether the perspective should be social, economic, or technical. She said the five engineers are dedicated and have valid input, but she would like to see more balance. c. 2017 Orange County Revaluation Results The Board received an overview of the statistical results of the 2017 countywide revaluation. Dwane Brinson, Tax Administrator, reviewed the following background and PowerPoint presentation: BACKGROUND: North Carolina counties must conduct a revaluation at least once every eight years. Orange County's last revaluation took effect January 1, 2009. The effective appraisal date of the 2017 revaluation is January 1, 2017. Orange County has approximately 55,500 real property parcels. During the revaluation process, each of those parcels has been modified to reflect a current estimate of market value. Tax office staff began working on the 2017 revaluation in 2014.