Orange County NC Website
25 <br /> - Companies are not eligible if they have past-due tax liabilities or tax liens, delinquencies in <br /> Orange County property taxes, or were in bankruptcy (Corporate or Personal) prior to the <br /> pandemic <br /> FINANCIAL IMPACT: The State has allocated $2,665,753 to the County for eligible COVID-19 <br /> expenses and the use of$410,000 of Article 46 Sales Tax Small Business Fund. There will be <br /> forthcoming Budget Amendments for both funding sources. <br /> Commissioner Greene said the abstract references a desire to see public benefit in the <br /> form of job creation and tax base increase. She asked if this is actually an either/or situation. <br /> Gary Donaldson said yes, either/or. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin asked if job creation means new work, or bringing people back to <br /> work. <br /> Gary Donaldson said staff is working on that now, and he said the desire is something <br /> measurable, and is trying to keep it simple. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin said he appreciated this. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin referred to the attachment, and the personnel support category. <br /> He said virtually all of these will provide support to those departments who support the most <br /> adversely affected populations by the pandemic. <br /> Commissioner Price referred to bankruptcy- last bullet on qualifications —and that one is <br /> not eligible if in bankruptcy before the pandemic. She asked if this is true of one's entire history, <br /> or in more recent years. <br /> Gary Donaldson said it is considers the past year. <br /> Chair Rich said the last round of business grants was not given out completely, and <br /> asked if these funds are available. <br /> Gary Donaldson said staff will provide an updated report, and any residual funds will be <br /> swept into this amount. <br /> Chair Rich referred to the bankruptcy bullet, and said there are some businesses that <br /> have received funding already and are not repaying the loan. She said she would not want <br /> these businesses to get additional funds, if they are not paying back existing loans. <br /> Gary Donaldson said staff considered this, and there are 11 businesses with outstanding <br /> balances. He said staff will bring an abstract on June 16 with respect to the small business non- <br /> profit, and this is for enhanced controls and bringing those funds unto the County books. <br /> Chair Rich asked if staff would use the press release to strongly encourage minority and <br /> women owned businesses to apply. <br /> Commissioner Bedford said she very much supports this, but would like to offer an <br /> opposing view: there was an article in the News & Observer, which said 42% of the jobs lost will <br /> not recover. She said the article's summary was that it is inefficient to use funds to support a <br /> business that is not going to make it anyway. She said the County will be protected from this <br /> due to the caveat of looking for applicants that will create jobs, or provide public service, etc. <br /> She said it is important to use public dollars wisely. <br /> Commissioner Price asked if applicants for County funding must have a good <br /> relationship with another financial institution, or if the applicant can just be in good standing with <br /> the County. <br /> Gary Donaldson said the primary metric staff is using is April revenues. <br /> Commissioner Price asked if the press release could be very simple and readable, so th <br /> that one could pass it out to small businesses or emailed. <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner Bedford, seconded by Commissioner McKee for <br /> the Board to approve the CRF Funding Plan for submittal to the State as stated herein, and <br />