Minutes 06-09-2020 Virtual Budget Work Session

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1 APPROVED 9/1/2020 MINUTES BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS VIRTUAL BUDGET WORK SESSION June 9, 2020 7:00 p.m. The Orange County Board of Commissioners met for a Virtual Budget Work Session on Thursday, June 9, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Rich and Commissioners Jamezetta Bedford, Mark Dorosin, Sally Greene, Earl McKee, Mark Marcoplos, and Renee Price COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT: COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Bonnie Hammersley, Deputy County Manager Travis Myren and Clerk to the Board Donna Baker (All other staff members will be identified appropriately below) Chair Rich called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Chair Rich said there has been an uptick of Covid-19 cases in the state and Orange County. She encouraged anyone who is not feeling well to get tested. Chair Rich said she has had conversations about the pandemic with the Mayors, the Legislative Delegation, and Congressman Price. She said there are concerns about schools resuming in the fall, and also about governmental entities meeting again face-to- face. She said there is hope of more government funding to help with Covid-19 related expenses. Chair Rich referred to the amended Orange County Emergency Declaration effective Friday, June 12 at 5:00 p.m., which does require masks. Commissioner Marcoplos referred to his and Commissioner Dorosin's proposed community forum on racism and policing, which many thought may be discussed this evening. He said the proposed resolution will be discussed on the June 161h agenda, and the desire is to have the Sheriff's department as a full and equal partner. Chair Rich said the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) has been getting a lot of emails about the Orange County Board of Commissioners defunding the police, but the County does not have a police force. She said town police do not answer to the BOCC, but rather to the local Mayors. She said in the County, the Sheriff is an elected official, and does not answer to the BOCC. She said the County always works collaboratively with the Sheriff's department, for example having body cameras. Commissioner Dorosin said the community forum should happen soon, and though the Sheriff is independently elected, the Orange County Board of Commissioners controls his budget. He said there is much good being done, but also much work yet to be done. Chair Rich said she talked with the Sheriff before the Chapel Hill protest, and invited him to attend the 16th meeting, in order to highlight some of the things the County is doing. Due to current public health concerns, the Board of Commissioners conducted a Virtual Budget Work Session on June 9, 2020 utilizing Zoom. Members of the Board of Commissioners participated in the meeting remotely. As in prior meetings, members of the public were able to view and listen to the meeting via live streaming video at orangecountync.gov/967/Meeting-Videos and on Orange County Gov-TV on channels 1301 or 97.6 (Spectrum Cable).