Minutes 06-04-2020 Virtual Budget Public Hearing

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