Minutes 06-12-2018 Budget Work Session

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9 their input being properly utilized. He said this request looks like a drifting back in to the old horse-trading for amendments, and he thinks the BOCC should honor and protect the processes. Commissioner Price said she made this request because these organizations put food on the tables and shelves. She said funding at the federal level is in question for many families, and additional resources are needed. She said she respects the process, but the BOCC has made changes to its processes many times. She said the Food Council position, just approved by the BOCC, went outside of a traditional continuation budget. She said if the County can afford to pay for the coordination of agencies and farmers, than the County can afford to provide food for people. Commissioner Rich said this is two different issues; the Food Council does not provide food, and these agencies are different. She said the Food Council is an inside agency, and these are outside agencies, with two different funding streams. Commissioner Jacobs said the BOCC is being intellectually inconsistent, and just took a stand to stick with a policy until it can be reviewed, and now is considering going against the policy. He said if the BOCC is going to change the policy then it should talk about it in the fall. Commissioner Price said she is talking about getting food to people who need it today, and it is heartbreaking to see residents with empty stomachs. She said the BOCC just made an exception for the Northside Neighborhood Initiative mere minutes ago, and thinks this is a reasonable request. Chair Dorosin said he sees both sides of the argument, but does find it ironic that the BOCC took a stand to have a policy and is now questioning it; however, there is money in the social justice fund, which could be used for this. He said it seems disingenuous to stand by a policy and refuse “work arounds” in one instance, and then do that very thing in the next instance. He said food is a priority issue, and should be at the forefront of future discussions, and the social justice fund is for needs such as these. Commissioner Burroughs concurred with Chair Dorosin. She said she would support ear marking funds in the social justice fund, and having a more detailed discussion with input from the Department of Social Services, in the future. Commissioner Marcoplos said he does not think the BOCC should revisit this process in the same way as it revisiting the capital funding policy, as he thinks this process works really well. He said the County does need to look seriously at the food and hunger issue in Orange County. Chair Dorosin said the Food Council is having this discussion. Commissioner Price said when she heard that the Food Council is not putting food on the table, she felt moved to make this request as people are in need of food. A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner McKee to take $21,800 out of social justice fund to increase the Chapel Hill Carrboro Meals on wheels Outside Agency Grant by $2,100 and the Orange Congregations In Missions Outside Agency Grant by $14,700 to fully fund the request the two and to also to increase the Orange County Rural Alliance (OCRA) - (next amendment) Outside Agency Grant by $5000. Commissioner Rich asked if this funding would be for one year only. Chair Dorosin said social justice funds are always a one-time offer. Commissioner Rich said if this is approved, these agencies are getting a higher level of funding this year, and next year the outside agency funding process will start at a higher amount for these agencies. Chair Dorosin said the outside agency funding amount should stay the same.