Agenda - 04-20-2021; 8-a - Minutes

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18 1 foundation for investing in our people. She said all school issues should be included as a 2 priority. She said she does not have concerns about including items that are likely to get 3 passed, but rather wants this document to communicate what is important to the BOCC. She 4 said the politics of the state will ultimately win out, but it is important for the BOCC to be clear 5 about its priorities. 6 Chair Price said items were included that could have some movement, not that they 7 would definitely get passed. 8 Commissioner McKee said he is glad to see broadband at the top of the list. 9 Commissioner Dorosin said he wanted to be specific on the minimum wage increase, 10 and state that the goal is $15 an hour. 11 Commissioner Dorosin said he does not consider restoring straight party ticket as a 12 voting priority. He said expanding early voting, expanding weekend voting, making election day 13 a holiday, automatic registration, eliminating felon disenfranchisement upon completion of 14 incarceration, etc. are more important. He said if the BOCC is going to name specific things, 15 there is many more that are far more important that straight party ticket voting. 16 Commissioner Dorosin said he wanted to move up Orange Water and Sewer Authority 17 (OWASA) funding as a priority, and asked for flexible billing systems in general, not just in an 18 emergency. 19 Commissioner Dorosin referred to the monument protection act, and said given the 20 Board's commitment to racial equity, he thinks this should be at the top of the list. 21 Commissioner Dorosin said he would add no expansion of funding for private school 22 vouchers to the list. He said he would also like to include no expansion of the virtual charter 23 school program, as it is the lowest performing charter school in the state. He said similar 24 programs in other states have many issues such as fiscal misconduct. He said money should 25 not be diverted out of the public school system. 26 Chair Price asked for clarification of the school voucher bill. 27 Commissioner Dorosin said there is already a voucher program, and the bill would 28 expand eligibility, expand voucher availability, and increase advertisement for the program. 29 Commissioner Dorosin said there was a previously listed issue about red flag legislation 30 for gun owners, who are identified as a potential danger to themselves or others, could be made 31 to surrender weapons. He said it is a public safety mechanism to keep weapons out of the 32 hands of potentially dangerous people. 33 Chair Price said the reason the OWASA item was on the second list was due to current 34 movement on the item with other stakeholders. She said progress is already being made. 35 Chair Price said the straight party ticket voting idea was from a previous list. 36 Chair Price said the minimum wage amount was left open since there are different 37 opinions on what that should be, and $15 per hour may not be enough. 38 Commissioner Dorosin said he would prefer it to be stated as at least $15 an hour. 39 Commissioner Greene said the BOCC should oppose any legislation that limits the 40 power of local government to limit or revise law enforcement practices. She said a bill is out 41 there trying to limit local authority over the police. 42 John Roberts said there is push back on the bill, and it would be good to add it to the 43 legislative agenda if the Board is supportive. 44 Commissioner Dorosin asked if the County Attorney could send the bill number so it 45 could be noted on the legislative agenda. 46 Chair Price said the eviction items and dangerous dog items were requested by staff and 47 advisory boards. 48 Commissioner Fowler expressed appreciation for all of the comments, and agreed with 49 them. She asked if the BOCC still wants two different lists, or should it be reduced to one. 50 Commissioner McKee said the Board should focus on just a few items, between five and 51 eight total.