Orange County NC Website
9 <br /> <br />consent to the motion, and is then presented to the Judge, who reviews the driving record and <br />reasons for relief. <br />Commissioner McKee asked if there is any percentage data. <br />Cait Fenhagen said no, but staff is finding that most people who avail themselves of this <br />program genuinely cannot pay. <br />Commissioner Dorosin said he is thrilled this is in the budget, and he appreciates the <br />work that Cait Fenhagen has done; and while it is not a constitutional right, there is clear <br />constitutional issue in the racial disparities and discrimination in how the penalties are impacting <br />people of color. He said he expects there are a percentage of people failing to appear because <br />they know they cannot pay the fees. He said he looks forward to an update next year. <br />Chair Rich asked if there is a timeline for when this program will begin. <br />Cait Fenhagen said there is a start date of October 1st. She said there are several <br />interested and capable candidates already. <br />Commissioner Price asked if there is a timeline to start looking at the failure to appear <br />issue. She said sometimes in an issue of the wrong phone number, address, etc. <br />Cait Fenhagen said this is an important issue for the entire court system, and they are <br />working systematically to address these issues, including free text reminders of court dates, <br />etc., and finding ways to help clients make their court date. She said she hoped there will be a <br />broader look at addressing some of those cases within the driver’s license restoration program. <br />She said having a staff person in place to focus on this will be very effective. <br />Travis Myren resumed the PowerPoint presentation: <br /> <br />• Public Safety - CIP <br />• CJRD Expansion and Remodeling - $216,300 (CIP page 34) <br />– Currently Located in Lower Level of 1954 Courthouse <br />– Remodel Space to Current Design and Functionality Standards <br />– Accommodate Program Expansion <br /> <br />Commissioner Price referred to the ABC Board revenue, and said there was a mistake <br />of $17,500. She asked if this could be clarified. <br />Cait Fenhagen said last year, the County asked the ABC Board for an additional amount <br />to cover GPS monitoring, and the ABC Board declined. She said this funding was found <br />elsewhere, but the budget was never adjusted. <br />Commissioner Greene referred to the ongoing funding for the reentry counsel, and said <br />there is a second grant proposal. She asked if this will be the ongoing source of funding for that <br />position, or will the County be expected to pick it up at some point. <br />Cait Fenhagen said staff just received notice of having been granted the $150,000 for <br />next year, and it is for up to three years so she would expect another year of full funding. She <br />said after that it is unclear what funding will be available. <br />Cait Fenhagen said the misdemeanor diversion program is still going on through <br />December 1st, and any 16 or 17 year olds can be referred. She said the Orange County pre- <br />arrest diversionary program, for 18 and older, has already started. <br />Travis Myren resumed the PowerPoint presentation: <br /> <br />• Emergency Services – page 246 <br />• Total expenditure budget - $11,380,019 <br />– Total County Costs Increased by $637,534 from FY2018-19 <br />Budget <br />– Program Budget – Division Breakdown for Increased Visibility <br />– EMS Revenue Budgeted to Recognize Reduction of Delinquent <br />Bill Backlog