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2 <br /> definition do not exceed a maximum of $10,000 (or $15,000 for septic or well activities). A <br /> retaining fee for a specific project has never had to be used and is considered redundant since <br /> all construction work has a one-year warranty. Moreover, a Rehabilitation Specialist must track <br /> down the homeowner and contractor for the required signatures before releasing payment. <br /> This amendment would also make the partial payment requirements consistent between this <br /> Policy and the standard contract used for urgent repair and rehab projects. Currently, this <br /> Policy allows the contractor to request partial payments (known as draws) based on the <br /> percentage of work completed, which is more open to interpretation. The standard contract is <br /> more definitive since the partial payments are based on the value of the items in the contract <br /> that have been completed. It also does not allow for partial payments for a contract valued at <br /> less than $10,000, which minimizes staff time devoted to processing multiple invoices in small <br /> amounts. <br /> As stated previously, these proposed amendments would apply only to urgent repair projects. <br /> Moderate and comprehensive rehab projects will continue to follow the conventional <br /> procurement and disbursement process. <br /> FINANCIAL IMPACT: There will be no financial impact to the County if the BOCC approves the <br /> revised Orange Country Procurement and Disbursement Policy. <br /> SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goal is applicable to <br /> this item: <br /> • GOAL: ENSURE ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY <br /> The creation and preservation of infrastructure, policies, programs and funding necessary <br /> for residents to provide shelter, food, clothing and medical care for themselves and their <br /> dependents. <br /> The revised Orange County Procurement and Disbursement Policy will enhance a program that <br /> makes critical repairs on homes owned by low-income residents, thereby helping those <br /> residents meet basic shelter needs. <br /> ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: The following Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal <br /> is applicable to this item: <br /> • GOAL: ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND WASTE REDUCTION <br /> Initiate policies and programs that: 1) conserve energy; 2) reduce resource consumption; <br /> 3) increase the use of recycled and renewable resources; and 4) minimize waste stream <br /> impacts on the environment. <br /> The revised Orange County Procurement and Disbursement Policy will enhance a program that <br /> makes critical repairs on homes owned by low-income residents, including repairs that will allow <br /> those residents to conserve energy. <br /> RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the amendment <br /> to the Orange County Procurement and Disbursement Policy for County- and State-funded <br /> urgent repair activities to allow the Department of Housing and Community Development to 1) <br /> select eligible contractors from the Approved Contractor Registry, on a rotating basis, to submit <br /> responsive and responsible bids for projects funded by the North Carolina Housing Finance <br /> Agency (NCHFA) Urgent Repair Program; 2) eliminate the 10% retaining fee held for 60 days <br /> after the completion of an urgent repair project; and 3) make the partial payment requirements <br /> consistent with the standard contract used for rehabilitation work. <br />