Agenda - 09-01-20; 8-a - Minutes

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8 1 Miriam Leiberman said she was one of the therapists with the Pro Bono Counseling 2 Network for years. She said she always had clients that were part of this program, and it 3 offered a way for those in need to find a therapist through an ethical and affordable channel. 4 She said the Network coordinated continuing education classes for the therapists, which was a 5 wonderful way for them to earn their required hours. She said this program had worked, and 6 therapists want to volunteer their time, but it is so important to do so with a safety net. 7 Jessica Sheffield said she is the Executive Director of the Eno River Association, and 8 her Board sent the following letter to the Orange County Board of Commissioners earlier today, 9 which is below: 10 11 Dear Board of County Commissioners, 12 We understand that the impacts of Covid-19 may result in the County facing lower revenue. 13 However, the Eno River Association is adamantly opposed to the proposed FY 2020-21 CIP 14 amendments CIP-004, CIP005, and CIP-006 affecting the Lands Legacy and Conservation 15 Easement Programs in Orange County. Since 2000 over $8 million in other funding--from grants 16 and landowner donations--has been raised for land protection due to the Lands Legacy 17 Program and Conservation Easement Program. With those dollars nearly 4,000 acres within 18 Orange County have been protected, creating parks for underserved populations within our 19 community, improving water quality for over 500,000 citizens, ensuring viable farmland into the 20 future and climate change resiliency, and strengthening the overall health and wellbeing of 21 Orange County residents. 22 23 These past weeks we have seen unprecedented numbers of visitors to Orange County open 24 spaces, seeking solace during these difficult times. It is clear that more open space is needed to 25 accommodate our neighbors. Investments in land protection today provide lasting, positive 26 impacts on our community into the future. Proximity to parks and open space enhances the 27 value of residential properties and produces increased tax revenues for communities. Open 28 spaces capture precipitation, reduce stormwater management costs, and by protecting 29 underground water sources, open spaces reduce the cost of drinking water up to tenfold. 30 Improving access to public open space can increase levels of physical activity, provide mental 31 health benefits and reduce healthcare costs. 32 33 The Eno River Association and Orange County have worked collaboratively to protect land in 34 the Eno River Watershed since 2012. Together we hold six conservation easements on working 35 farms totaling 398 acres, and Orange County has helped us protect an additional 250 acres of 36 land. The proposed amendments would pull all additional funding from the Lands Legacy 37 Program and all funding from the Conservation Easement Program for the next three years. 38 This would devastate land protection efforts in Orange County. Without the financial 39 commitment of the County, we would no longer be able to leverage grant funds to support land 40 acquisition. In most cases, our joint funding partners require matching resources, especially 41 from municipal and county governments. The lack of County funding would undermine all land 42 trusts working to preserve land for future generations. The Eno River Association staff and 43 Board of Directors urge you to reject the proposed amendments CIP-004, CIP-005, and CIP- 44 006. 45 46 Riley Ruske said Orange County has the highest tax rates in the state. He said the 47 County's 136 entities, along with the school boards, try to find ways to spend taxpayer dollars. 48 He said there are many things in the proposed budgets that appear to be non-essential, and 49 seem to bloat the budget. He said only one Commissioner has expressed concern for the 50 taxpayer's burden. He said County government has no regard for the taxpayer, and will