Agenda - 09-02-2021; 4-a - Discussion and Appointment for the Vacant Position on the Orange County Board of Commissioners

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9 8. What is your vision for how Orange County should grow economically? One of the top Planning Principles in Orange County's 2030 Economic Plan states that "Growth and development within the county should occur in a pattern, location, and density that is sustainable over the long-term." My vision for how Orange County should grow is also guided by that principal. At the same time, much has changed since the Economic Plan was adopted in 2008. If we are to address inequities in housing, education, environmental impact and job opportunities, we must elevate and reframe the Plan's Principle #7, "Promotion of Economic Prosperity and Diversity". To do this, Orange County needs to sustainably expand its tax base in an environmentally responsible way beyond a heavy reliance on residential property taxes to a more balanced mix of revenue sources. We need to build upon prior work the board has done to leverage development structures including planned, mixed-use development, Economic Development Districts and good governance around our Commercial-Industrial Transition Activity Nodes. Furthermore, I would advocate for continued information-sharing with other counties across the nation. so that our economic planning for Orange County benefits from both the best practices and the lessons learned of others. 9. One of the unfortunate outcomes of the pandemic is that the wealth gap has grown even greater. We anticipate what economists call a K-shaped recovery, in which pre-existing inequities are exacerbated. This disparity largely falls along lines of race. How can county commissioners ensure that prosperity in the coming years is more equitably shared? The pandemic has indeed worsened pre-existing inequities. I would also make a case that the pandemic has raised the awareness of the problems that already existed for many years, and imparted a sense of urgency and momentum among many elected officials to take positive action. In Orange County, this disparity appears in every aspect of life, including access to affordable housing, equitable education and health outcomes. County and municipal governments are taking the opportunity with new Federal assistance to address long-standing infrastructure issues, such as access to rural broadband. I support the Commission's work-in-progress to put these funds to impactful use as wisely and expeditiously as we can. Furthermore, I support the concept of sustainable, environmentally sensitive development within Economic Development Districts such as the Hillsborough, Eno and Buckhorn EDDs, and the work to deliver a Unified Development Ordinance to ensure consistency in development practices and economic opportunities for our citizens that arise from them. Continued thoughtful and deliberate stewardship of development in the Buckhorn, Efland and Hillsborough Commercial-Industrial Transition Activity Nodes over the intermediate and long term can provide an incentive for employers to locate in Orange County and for private broadband infrastructure development to serve growing communities.