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8 <br /> Commissioner Bedford said Verizon has a program to help students without <br /> access. <br /> Commissioner Bedford said there needs to be a work group, before spending <br /> money on the southern library. She said discussions about interoperability are very <br /> important. <br /> A motion was made by Chair Rich, seconded by Commissioner Marcoplos to <br /> approve Amendment 014. <br /> VOTE: Ayes, 2 (Chair Rich and Commissioner Marcoplos); Nays, 5 <br /> (Commissioner McKee Commissioner Price Commissioner Greene Commissioner <br /> Bedford Commissioner Dorosin) <br /> Commissioner McKee said the idea of an education fund is important, and he <br /> would support using the funds generated by the quarter cent climate mitigation tax for <br /> this purpose. <br /> Chair Rich thanked Commissioner McKee, but said she will not make such a <br /> motion. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin said he hopes staff is keeping track of all the issues on <br /> which the BOCC needs to follow up in the fall. <br /> Amendments 017/018/019/020 <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner Bedford, seconded by Commissioner <br /> Price to approve Amendments 017/018/019/020. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin asked if there is a reason that tracking software costs <br /> $35,000, and if this would be a pre-existing program, or one being made from scratch. <br /> Travis Myren said software can be very expensive, and this cost is relatively low, <br /> comparatively. He said the base software already exists, but it would need <br /> modifications. <br /> Commissioner Marcoplos asked if this funding will come from a particular area. <br /> Travis Myren said it would be counted against the debt service savings. <br /> VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> Amendment 021 <br /> Travis Myren said Commissioner Marcoplos proposed an amendment to fund a <br /> phase 2 feasibility study of operations and maintenance of a skilled construction trades <br /> center. <br /> Commissioner Marcoplos explained the center, and said it has been discussed <br /> for well over a year, with many stakeholders. He said the County awarded $25,000 <br /> previously for an initial study, which was very informative. He said the next steps are to <br /> identify which grants are the most promising to fund some of the option identified in the <br /> initial study. He said time is of the essence, due to the availability of Covid-19 funding, <br /> and this could very advantageous to the progress of this project. He said these funds <br /> would pay for a study of the grant landscape, and getting some work done on a grant or <br /> two. He said the amount would not exceed $25,000, and this is a great opportunity with <br /> well-recognized needs. <br /> Commissioner Price asked if anyone else is putting funding into this, and who is <br /> involved. <br /> Commissioner Marcoplos said Durham Tech, the school systems, UNC facility <br /> manager, builders and developers in the area, homebuilders associations, etc. are <br /> involved. <br /> Commissioner Price asked if any of these entities are providing matching funds. <br />