Minutes 06-20-2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

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13 "The Board will reinstate its basic membership in both the Chapel Hill — Carrboro Chamber and the Hillsborough — Orange County Chamber, and suspend all other payments from County entities until the Manager is able to identify all the various County funders; and that going forward, the County will locate all Chamber funding in the Manager's Office and that the Board asks the Manager to report back at the first meeting in September." Chair Dorosin asked John Roberts if he could clarify the motion process. John Roberts said there is no such thing as a substitute motion, and if Commissioner Jacobs' motion is not accepted as a friendly amendment, then it would have to be considered a hostile amendment, and voted on in that order. Commissioner Jacobs said his motion can be considered as an alternative motion. Commissioner Marcoplos seconded Commissioner Jacobs' alternative motion. Commissioner Jacobs re-read his motion: "The Board will reinstate its basic membership in both the Chapel Hill — Carrboro Chamber and the Hillsborough — Orange County Chamber, and suspend all other payments from County entities until the Manager is able to identify all the various County funders; and that going forward, the County will locate all Chamber funding in the Manager's Office, and that the Board asks the Manager to report back at the first meeting in September." Commissioner Rich asked if Commissioner Jacobs could define "basic funding." Commissioner Jacobs said he is suggesting $8,500 to the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce and $1,000 to the Hillsborough/Orange County Chamber; and have all other departmental dues suspended to both chambers until further analysis is completed. Commissioner Burroughs said she is concerned about the Visitors Bureau (VB) dues. Commissioner Rich said the VB is not funded by any tax dollars, but is funded by occupancy taxes. She said it is a separate board, and runs as a separate entity. Commissioner Jacobs said he thought about including the VB in the motion, but he assumed the Manager will examine what the VB is paying, and how that relates to the County's payments. He said Chapel Hill is the only town that contributes to the VB, and it is purposely not a member of the Chamber. Chair Dorosin said if the Board says no now, and the dues are due, entities can join later on. Commissioner Rich said the VB board voted on its budget without contributing to the Chambers. Commissioner Burroughs asked if this was a new practice for the VB. Commissioner Rich said yes, this was a policy change for the VB. She said she can get more information, and that the VB did not always contribute to the Chamber, then it did, and now does not again. She said that information can be added to the report. Commissioner Price said her concern is she does not like the idea of double dipping, and she does not want to make a decision without knowing the consequences, and she is concerned about the process. She asked if the Board can even entertain the budgets of other departments. Bonnie Hammersley said the Board can absolutely look at these budgets, and the Economic Development department uses general fund monies to pay its dues. She said all departments are general fund departments, except for the VB. Chair Dorosin said his concern is that the County is unknowingly paying for things. He said it is unclear what services are being received in return, and this needs to be analyzed.