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

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4 1 Amendments 004, 005, 006, 007, 008, 009, 010 2 Commissioner Marcoplos said his thought was to start with Amendment 004: the 3 National Association of Counties (NACo). He said the information he receives from 4 NACo does not help him as a commissioner. He said he would like to see these dues 5 reallocated to the social justice fund. 6 Commissioner McKee said he feels the same about all of these entities: he does 7 not get a lot individually, but the County does receive benefits. He said the cost of the 8 memberships is very small, and he sees greater benefit in remaining a member of each 9 entity. 10 Commissioner McKee said he will oppose defunding each of these 11 memberships. 12 Commissioner Dorosin said these organizations provide different levels of 13 support to the County. He said he sees limited benefit from NACo, and North Carolina 14 Association of County Commissioners (NCACC); but the Triangle J Council of 15 Governments (TJCOG) and the School of Government (SOG) are closer to the County's 16 regions and needs, and provide valuable resources. He said he would like to know 17 more about what is actually received for each of these fees, and any savings are good 18 savings, if the expense is not providing value. 19 Commissioner Greene said she knows nothing about NACo. 20 Chair Rich said she is the Board's representative to NACo this year, and in the 21 past she was on the telecommunications committee, and became frustrated with the 22 organization. She said NACo does provide some value if one attends NACo 23 conferences for specific areas. 24 Commissioner Price said one gets out of NACo what one puts it into it. She has 25 been involved in different committees, and NACo is basically a lobbying organization. 26 She said one area of great impact was in housing funding, as well as arts and culture 27 being recognized as an economic driver. She said NCACC works in conjunction with 28 NACo and SOG, and the trainings offered by these entities are very valuable. 29 Bonnie Hammersley said from a staff viewpoint, NACo is directed toward elected 30 officials. She said NACo and NCACC are lobbying organizations, one on the national 31 level and one on the state level. 32 Commissioner Greene said the amount is under $3000/year, and Commissioner 33 Price's comments are helpful. She said many Commissioners are more conservative, 34 and the Orange County BOCC is typically not, and being heard is important. 35 Commissioner McKee agreed with Commissioner Greene, and said it is 36 important to continue to have a voice. 37 Commissioner Marcoplos said he does not think the BOCC has an impact on the 38 rural/urban divide by being a part of NACo, but perhaps it does by being a part of 39 NCACC. 40 41 A motion was made by Commissioner Marcoplos, seconded by Commissioner 42 Dorosin to defund NACo. 43 44 VOTE: Ayes, 2 (Commissioner Marcoplos and Commissioner Dorosin); Nays, 5 45 (Commissioner Price, Chair Rich, Commissioner Greene, Commissioner Bedford, 46 Commissioner McKee) 47 48 Amendment 006/007 49 Commissioner Marcoplos said he would like to know more about what benefits 50 are received from the SOG, and if it is useful. 51 Commissioner Dorosin asked if staff could identify what the $17,000+ dues are 52 for. 53 Bonnie Hammersley said she believes it is considered a contribution, as opposed 54 to a membership, and from a staff level, it is very valuable to local governments.