Agenda - 09-10-20; Item 2 - Follow-up Discussion on County Capital Investment Plan (CIP) Years 2 through 5

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14 1 Commissioner McKee said given the uncertainty in the world, he would endorse 2 Commissioner Bedford's suggestion to move monies to the social justice fund. He 3 asked Commissioner Dorosin if he would accept a friendly amendment. 4 Chair Rich said to take a vote on the existing motion first. She said she would 5 support this for the schools to use for emergency needs, especially broadband. 6 Commissioner Bedford said to let the schools use these funds as needed with no 7 limitations. 8 Chair Rich said yes, absolutely. 9 Commissioner Bedford said she assumes there will be nutritional needs in the 10 fall. 11 Commissioner Price said she will support this if the schools are able to use the 12 funds as they best see fit. 13 Chair Rich said these funds would hold the schools harmless with the article 46 14 tax, which makes her feel better. 15 16 VOTE: UNANIMOUS 17 18 CAPITAL BUDGET AMENDMENTS - green sheet 19 Amendment 001 20 21 Travis Myren said there are two amendments that are very similar, and there are 22 three columns that lay out the ways to achieve the amendments' goals. 23 Commissioner Price said Durham Tech will be critical to getting through, and 24 past, this pandemic, as community colleges fill many roles. She said she does not want 25 to touch the conservation easements, and is unsure of the technology needs. She said 26 she is open to suggestions for years 2 and 3. She said it may not be necessary to 27 spend the entire $1 million in year 1, and she just wants to get the process started. 28 Commissioner Dorosin said he and Commissioner Price have the same goal, 29 and the differences lie in the projects each is proposing to delay to accomplish the goal. 30 He said both are seeking to offer offsetting savings for the moved up costs. He referred 31 to the total impacts, and his is $26 million, which is dollar for dollar offset. He said if 32 there is interest in moving the project up, the BOCC could vote first on the areas where 33 he and Commissioner Price agree, and then go through the differences. He, too, said 34 he is open to suggestions for how to find offsetting costs. He said he sent an 35 amendment to his amendment, which reduces the amount funding taken from lands 36 legacy and conservation easements. He echoed Commissioner Price's comments 37 about the critical role of community colleges in a post Covid world, and said Orange 38 County needs to be poised to serve the needs. He said this amendment directly 39 impacts issues of racial and social justice, as most of Durham Tech's students are 40 students of color, and many receive financial aid. He said Durham Tech must be 41 considered as an equally important part of Orange County's educational system. He 42 said many students will be seeking cost effective alternatives to four year institutions, as 43 well as vocational training, and retraining. 44 Commissioner Dorosin said Durham Tech recently hired a new president, and its 45 board is eager to see growth in Orange County. He said the Orange County campus is 46 unique, with the UNC Hospital being located across the street. He said all factors 47 combined make this is a unique opportunity for valuable investment. He said the BOCC 48 can always revisit the project for any reason, if a pause or change is needed, but it is 49 important for the BOCC to make a commitment. He said Orange County has been, and 50 will continue to be, committed to land preservation, and he thinks it is time to show equal 51 commitment to this type of education. 52 Commissioner Price said Orange County has a unique relationship between 53 education and economic development, and this conversation about another building has 54 been ongoing for years, and even more so when the hospital was built. She said 55 earning a GED is free at Durham Tech, and affords many people a wonderful