Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
23 <br /> Commissioner McKee said this discussion should occur in conjunction with the <br /> census data. He said he will vote against this motion, as it is important to have public, <br /> face to face discussion and then proceed with the formation of a committee. <br /> Commissioner Marcoplos said he disagreed, and there is a lot of interest in <br /> changing the way that commissioners are elected. He said waiting for face to face <br /> discussions with the public will only lead to residents voicing opinions on the way they <br /> want to be represented, not whether or not the BOCC should look into the issue in the <br /> first place. He said having a date certain is important. <br /> Commissioner Bedford said it is bad governance to have a motion on an issue <br /> that was not on the agenda and to pass it tonight. She said Commissioner Dorosin could <br /> write it up and bring it back at another time. She said if there will be a survey about the <br /> district tax, then a question on this topic could also be included. She said if a date <br /> certain is preferred, then she would recommend December 10th, so new BOCC members <br /> could participate. She said she cannot vote for this motion tonight. <br /> Commissioner McKee said having the public speak about what they want is <br /> exactly what the BOCC needs to hear. He said the public's interest in this topic is not <br /> going to wane by waiting for face-to-face meetings. <br /> Commissioner Price asked Commissioner Dorosin if he would mind delaying this <br /> vote and coming back with a more spelled out plan before the BOCC goes on summer <br /> break. She said she is still unsure about the committee, how to select it, and who should <br /> make these decisions. She said she does support the overall idea, but does not want to <br /> rush. <br /> Commissioner Greene said the BOCC would be better served if this motion were <br /> made at a later meeting, before the summer break. She said this motion should not <br /> clarify who would be on the committee. She said the BOCC does not know what will <br /> happen with this pandemic, and if online meetings continue in the fall, then this is not a <br /> good platform for this type of discussion. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin amended his motion, which Commissioner Greene <br /> seconded for purposes of discussion: <br /> a. Establish a committee to consider alternatives methods to elect the Orange <br /> County Board of Commissioners. <br /> b. The Orange County Board of Commissioners will select members for this <br /> committee by January 31, 2021; <br /> c. The committee will meet to discuss alternative options and will bring their <br /> recommendations to the Orange County Board of Commissioners by July 31, <br /> 2021; <br /> d. The Orange County Board of Commissioners will review the recommendations, <br /> conduct public hearings, seek public input, and, if need be, to make a decision in <br /> time to be included in a referendum on the March 2022 primary. <br /> Commissioner McKee asked John Roberts if one can amend one's own motions. <br /> John Roberts said yes. <br /> Commissioner Greene said she liked the second motion much more, but <br /> suggested changing "if needed" to "if possible". <br /> Commissioner Dorosin said the BOCC could revise it at a later time, if need be. <br /> John Roberts said the rules of procedure only allow two amendments, so <br /> Commissioner Greene's amendment is moot. <br /> VOTE: Ayes, 6; Nays, 1 (Commissioner Bedford) <br /> 7. Reports <br /> NONE <br />