Minutes 06-09-2020 Virtual Budget Work Session

Browse Search

9 Commissioner Marcoplos said no. Commissioner Price said she was interested in the funding. Commissioner Marcoplos said he is not aware of any identified funds at this time other than the County's funding. Commissioner Bedford said the proposal sounds very interesting, but she would prefer to wait until September to discuss it. She said it is hard to write grants when the option has not been determined. Commissioner Bedford said if the process does move forward, she would support hiring a professional grant writer, but that is getting ahead of themselves. She said it is premature to look at grant funds, when it is not clear what is needed and what is the best option to pursue. Commissioner Marcoplos said he disagreed, and if the BOCC reads the report it would be able to see the options have been narrowed down to just a few viable ones. He said the first step is to know which grant opportunities are worth pursuing, and the initial report writer has grant writing experience, as well as connections to this community. He said the Covid funding could be crucial to jump starting this project. Commissioner Bedford said she read the report, and there are four options. A motion was made by Commissioner Marcoplos to approve Amendment 021. Commissioner Greene said she has not had a chance to read the full report, and the pros and cons are not clear to her. She said she would be happy to consider it in the fall. Commissioner Marcoplos said the report was sent out a while ago, and he should have flagged it more strongly to have the BOCC read it. NO SECOND Motion failed. Commissioner McKee asked if staff could monitor these Covid-19 grants. Chair Rich said staff is already doing so, and tracking all Covid related expenses and funds is critical. Commissioner McKee said he meant to monitor the grant deadlines, and bring this topic back in September. Commissioner Marcoplos encouraged everyone to sit in on these meetings, to observe the level of commitment and progress. School Amendments — none Commissioner Dorosin asked if the BOCC wants to make a motion to use the $191,000 for schools. He said he would be open to give these monies to the schools, with a 60/40 split. A motion was made by Commissioner Dorosin, seconded by Commissioner Greene to give the $191,000 to the schools at the 60/40 split. Commissioner Bedford said given the schools' fund balances, she would suggest moving the monies to the social justice fund. Commissioner Price asked if the 2020-21 social justice fund balance could be identified. Travis Myren said $180,000, given Commissioner Greene's earlier amendment. Commissioner McKee said given the uncertainty in the world, he would endorse Commissioner Bedford's suggestion to move monies to the social justice fund. He asked Commissioner Dorosin if he would accept a friendly amendment.