Minutes 06-04-19 Regular Meeting

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4 One important way to push Duke Energy to change its fossil fuel plans is to reduce our countywide carbon footprint and render them unable to argue that energy use is likely to rise and require new centralized fossil fuel baseload dinosaurs. The proliferation of energy efficiency measures, solar, and storage in Orange County will do just that. Thank you for your time. -Kathy Kaufman Donell Kerns said many of her comments have already been made, and she supports Commissioner Marcoplos' proposal and wishes the increase would be more significant. She shared a quote from Greta Thernburg, a teen climate activist: "we need to focus every inch of our being on climate change, because if we fail to do so then all our achievements and progress have been for nothing, and all that will remain of our political leaders' legacy will be the greatest failure in human history." Tom Farkas thanked Commissioner Marcoplos for this initiative. He emphasized if national leadership is in denial about climate change, then state and local governments need to step up. He said these projects are investments in their community. He said this proposal is a win-win, and the tax increase should be more. Jean Hamilton said she is here to talk about the proposed amendment to reduce the Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools (CHCCS) district tax, and she wants to keep it as is. She said this has been brought up before years ago. She said the BOCC does not provide resources by limiting funding, and this is an issue of funding both school districts instead of just reducing this tax. Mark Smith said he lauds Commissioner Marcoplos' proposal, and he held up two examples of electric car technology. He said this technology is largely out of reach for many, because there are no more tax incentives or pilot projects in place. He said he hopes some of this funding can go to spur on more creative solutions in the future. Suzy Lawrence said she supports Commissioner Marcoplos' proposal. She said she is part of Seniors and Law Enforcement Together (SALT), and has visited many rural households and this tax would help them weatherize their homes. She said she just returned from Haiti, where they took solar panels and light kits. She said this community is eager for solar energy. She said Orange County needs solar energy on County buildings, and that which is done in the United States has impact on the entire world. Mary Parry said she has been an organizer in Orange County for many years, and climate change has been one of her hardest challenges. She is supportive of Commissioner Marcoplos' proposal of a tax increase. She said Orange County needs to lead, and this can be a teaching moment. Joal Broun, CHCCS Board Chair, said she is speaking on behalf of her Board, and it has determined it is bad short-term policy to not fund the district at least at the continuation level. She said the district is trying to meet the needs of all of its students, and investing in education is an investment in their future. She said both school districts are the 2"d and 3ra largest employers in the community, and people move to this community because of the schools. She said CHCCS has worked hard to put sustainability programs in place to reduce its carbon footprint. She said CHCCS would prefer to receive full funding, but if the BOCC cannot maintain the current level of funds, the CHCCS ask that the County find ways to support students and families with resources for mental health needs, summer programming, and safety. She said without the continuation budget, some positions will have to be frozen, as the district plans to emphasize maintaining teachers in the classroom. Edward Mann said he is here on behalf of his aunt and mother, who both own property near for the Mountains to Sea trail (MST). He said he would like to speak about