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MINUTES <br />ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH <br />August 23, 2007 <br />Board of Health Minutes Transcription completed by Anne Miles Cassell 5 August 23, 2007 <br /> <br />Tim Carey asked if sorting out facility issues is on this year’s schedule for discussion. Dr. <br />Summers replied that the dental facilities are listed as 3rd tier process and will most likely be <br />bumped further down based on availability of funds (past 2011). He asked how the Board could <br />support the department in this. Dr. Summers stated they needed to communicate with the <br />Commissioners about the need in the community. The department cannot serve the needs of <br />the community until the facility issues have been addressed. We have not done a good job <br />about communicating that stress. The personal health staff cannot see more patients because <br />of the exam room limitations. <br /> <br />Matt Vizithum asked if the personal stories from healthcare clients would be good to use. <br />Commissioner Carey replied that Orange County is at the top of its debt ceiling and had <br />borrowed all it could and retain a good credit rating. He explained that if the credit rating slips, <br />then the cost of borrowing goes up. He suggested the Board help the BOCC convince the <br />public of the need for an additional revenue source and to pass the land transfer tax and sales <br />tax legislation so the County would gain the extra funds needed to apply toward these projects. <br /> <br />OC pays twice as much for schools now than it did five years ago. Moses Carey stated that <br />schools are a statutory responsibility and the county must provide for education. The tax base is <br />not growing as fast as projected. He commented that Commissioners hear a lot of the personal <br />stories when out in public. <br /> <br />Rosemary Summers suggested that the Board of Health make its priorities known to the other <br />commissioners at a joint meeting. Moses Carey concurred. Matt Vizithum inquired about the <br />joint meeting request that had been sent. <br /> <br />Sharon Van Horn asked Commissioner Carey how important the issue of uninsured population is <br />to Commissioners. He replied that it was more than the County could provide. He stated that <br />the County could help but not provide. <br /> <br />D. Committee Reports <br /> <br />The two Board standing committees meet monthly or as needed. Jim Stefanadis and Ernie <br />Dodson reported that neither committee met in July. <br /> <br />E. Informational Items <br /> <br />a. Final Budget 2007-2008 <br /> <br />Leticia Burns provided Board members with a summary report of the FY07-08 Final BOCC <br />Approved Budget for their information. <br /> <br />b. Final Legislative Report <br /> <br />Board members were provided with a health related bill list for the NC House and Senate