Orange County NC Website
7 <br /> <br />Commissioner Price said she did not amend this portion of the resolution, rather she <br />just changed the “whereas” clause to a “therefore be it resolved.” <br />Commissioner Rich said it refers to the ban on purchasing automatic rifles. <br />Commissioner McKee asked if Commissioner Rich would accept removing that <br />language and replacing it with, “a ban on the future purchase of assault weapons that will <br />reduce gun violence.” <br />Commissioner Rich accepted this language change. <br />Commissioner McKee offered a friendly amendment to say, “Be it therefore resolved <br />that the Orange County Board of Commissioners supports efforts to reduce the availability of <br />violent movies, games, and other media, and supports efforts to address mental health issues <br />through additional funding of services on the state and federal level.” <br />Commissioner Rich said she would not accept this wording, but asked Commissioner <br />McKee if he would like to break this wording down into separate items. She said she does not <br />see game or media violence as part of the spirit of this resolution. <br />Commissioner McKee said they fundamentally disagree about this, but he is willing to <br />drop the first part of his proposal, and asked if Commissioner Rich would accept the wording <br />about mental health services. <br />Commissioner Rich said she does think this wording belongs in this resolution, as the <br />resolution solely seeks to support youth lead protests against gun violence. <br />Commissioner McKee said he cannot support this resolution. <br />Commissioner Rich said mental health issues are completely different than gun <br />violence. <br />Commissioner McKee clarified that the resolution is aimed at simply supporting the <br />youth effort. <br />Commissioner Rich said yes, that is the spirit of the resolution. <br />Commissioner McKee said he would support the resolution with reservations, and at <br />some point, he would like the Board to have a discussion as to whether or not it supports <br />violent movies and games, as he believes this media plays into the mental health of children. <br /> <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> <br />5. Public Hearings <br />NONE <br /> <br />6. Regular Agenda <br /> <br />a. Request to Utilize Social Justice Funds for Emergency Assistance Payments <br />The Board considered allocating $125,000 from the Social Justice Fund for emergency <br />assistance payments for Orange County residents. <br /> <br />BACKGROUND: <br />The Department of Social Services (DSS) supports individuals and families experiencing <br />financial crises through emergency payments for rent, utilities, deposits and other essentials. <br />Although federal and state sources provide some of this support, the County provides most of <br />these funds. <br /> <br />As of the end of January, the County had served over 800 Orange County residents and at the <br />current rate would serve nearly 1,400 during fiscal year 2017-18. In fiscal year 2016-17 these <br />funds served 1,240 clients. Although some of the increase in emergency assistance this year