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

Browse Search

5 1 Commissioner Dorosin said asked if there is a process to determine the amount 2 of contribution that is made to the SOG. He said making a contribution does not 3 translate into reduced fees for conferences, and the SOG's mission is to serve the state 4 of North Carolina, and he thinks the school would offer help to anyone who calls, 5 regardless of having made a contribution or not. 6 Paul Laughton, Finance and Administrative Services, said population determines 7 the amount. 8 Chair Rich said she uses the SOG all the time, and it is a valuable resource. 9 Commissioner Dorosin said one can take classes even if not a contributor, and 10 this is a contribution to the University system, and maybe this year it would be wise to 11 cut the amount by $10,000. 12 Commissioner Greene asked if all are sure that one can take courses/training if 13 one is not a contributor. She said she thinks it is a great institution. 14 Commissioner Marcoplos said he is in favor of supporting the SOG, but 15 suggested reducing the contribution by $10,000 this year, due to Covid-19. 16 Commissioner Price said it is a valuable program, and the SOG is highly rated 17 throughout the country, and she would be hesitant to cut this funding without knowing 18 what this money is used for before. 19 Commissioner Dorosin said the SOG is a valuable resource, but it is supported 20 by the State, is a part of the University system, and it charges fees for its courses. 21 Bonnie Hammersley said she was sent information from a staff person, which 22 she read, and it defined the County funds as "membership dues". She said staff can 23 find out more and let the Board know. 24 Commissioner Bedford said, as a new commissioner, she found the orientation 25 very beneficial, and she took another course and felt the same. She said she will not 26 support this amendment. 27 Commissioner Price said the classes that are made available to the BOCC are 28 conducted specifically for elected officials. She said these funds help defray the costs 29 of their resources, and she will vote against the amendment. 30 Commissioner McKee said it is important to focus on the amendment, rather 31 than making amendments to amendments. He said the funding supports the SOG. He 32 said it is done fairly, and he will not support this amendment. 33 Paul Laughton said the Orange County Board of Commissioners does have a 34 contingency amount, and this item could be placed there while staff gathers more 35 information and the BOCC could make a final decision in the fall. 36 37 A motion was made by Commissioner Marcoplos, seconded by Commissioner 38 Dorosin to endorse being connected to the SOG, but due to this being a Covid year to 39 defunding by $10,000 and put funds in the Orange County Board of Commissioners 40 Contingency fund and paying the remainder to SOG, while ascertaining if we have the 41 access to their resources, and if need be pay the rest to the SOG. 42 43 Commissioner Greene said the funding amount is determined by the SOG's 44 funding model, and this amendment does not seem equitable. 45 Chair Rich said it is important during this time to find exactly what the funds are 46 being used for. 47 48 VOTE: Ayes, 2 (Commissioner Marcoplos and Commissioner Dorosin); Nays, 5 49 (Commissioner McKee, Chair Rich, Commissioner Price, Commissioner Greene 50 Commissioner Bedford) 51 52 Amendment 009/010 - Defund NCACC 53 Commissioner Marcoplos said he has attended a few NCACC conferences, and 54 would like to know NCACC's impact on the legislature.