Minutes 06-11-19 Budget Work Session

Browse Search

17 changes to anything done by the current BOCC. He said any action that the Board takes must be concrete, measurable and targeted. Commissioner Greene said Chapel Hill has had a dedicated penny for housing fund for about 6 years, and it is not legally in a lock box, and could be raided, but it has not been. She said this is not all the money that is spent on housing, but rather a portion, and this is how she would see this tax working. She said she does not see it as a limitation, but rather as a down payment on the other things the BOCC needs to be doing. She agrees that all work in this area must be done through a racial justice lens. Chair Rich said she is in support of this, and it is a good first step. She said the BOCC has been talking about adding solar panels to the community centers for a long time. She said Chapel Hill also has other dedicated funds. She said this fund would allow the BOCC to explore more grant opportunities, as many call for matching funds. She said the County will be spending more money on the environment than just these funds. Commissioner Marcoplos said one issue raised this evening is the question of public participation on this topic, and that is why he went to the press. He said this conversation has surpassed most budget topics in public participation and discussion. Commissioner Marcoplos said the BOCC is doing some things in the realm of climate change, but it needs to do more and learn other ways it can address climate change Commissioner Marcoplos asked if Brennen Bouma, Sustainability Director, could come up and talk about projects. Commissioner Price asked if there is a reason that this tax is so important to have, as opposed to money that is already available. Commissioner Marcoplos said it shows a commitment and a minor sacrifice, and it sends a message to other municipalities that this is a viable way to raise monies. Commissioner Marcoplos said the BOCC does not want to have this conversation every year, and hunt for money. He said the tax will allow funding to be consistently available. Commissioner Greene said she would like to hear about new and existing building commissioning. Commissioner Dorosin asked if the BOCC is voting on any specific project this evening. Chair Rich said no. Commissioner Dorosin said given the time, and the amount of meeting yet to come, he would suggest not going into specifics of projects at this time. Commissioner Greene agreed with Commissioner Dorosin, and said she would like to see the BOCC determine the intent and spirit behind these funds, should they become available. Commissioner Marcoplos said weatherization has economic and social justice benefits. Chair Rich said when there is a motion on the floor, the BOCC can work on the language. Commissioner Greene asked Brennen Bouma if he would go through his list, and explain why items are included and his rationale for putting these forward. Brennen Bouma said this list is not comprehensive, but are a reasonable place to begin. He said new the NC Division of Environmental Quality recognizes building commissioning as being something with high payback recognizes. He said this goes further than the County has typically gone. He said staff takes great care in making new building projects as efficient as possible, and this is different as it hires a referee to go on site to follow up with contractors and test structures for air tightness. He said this would be an additional resource to insure that buildings are built to the following specifications: • New Building Commission - Energy conservation should go hand-in-hand with renewable energy installation to maximize the County's investment, and Commissioning has an excellent track record for ensuring buildings are built well and are performing well