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27 <br /> 1 soaring property values allow the funding request to be achieved by merely keeping the rate per <br /> 2 $100 on property taxes, what it was before the recent adjustment. He said 600 signatures of <br /> 3 Orange County residents, voters, and workers obtained in 72 hours in full support of this <br /> 4 statement and requests. He said residents are clear that they want schools funded first. <br /> 5 <br /> 6 Melissa McCullough said she is chair of the Orange County Climate Council, and is <br /> 7 speaking tonight for the Orange-Chatham group of the Sierra Club. She said climate change is <br /> 8 a crisis, and there is not a lot of time to address it. She said the climate tax is there to get real <br /> 9 greenhouse gas emission reductions. She said she can support intent of Commissioner <br /> 10 Fowler's proposal, based on her comments, but wants to stress the importance for keeping the <br /> 11 selection process. She said climate action at schools is unimportant, but they do already have <br /> 12 $300,000 of first year funds which have not been spent, and that is a lost opportunity. She <br /> 13 emphasized the important of the selection process, which shows the capacity of the applicant <br /> 14 and whether they can get the work done. She said the selection process also looks at how <br /> 15 quickly the applicants can get the work done. She said that is really important, as giving the <br /> 16 unrequested money to school system without a project selection, without a project plan, without <br /> 17 designated staff, and without a project budget will lead to the money sitting unused instead. <br /> 18 She said a responsible use of the funds would require the school to plan and prepare so that <br /> 19 they can have a successful project. She said if the Board wants the County and schools to get <br /> 20 more projects, direct County staff to help develop more projects and give the schools help to do <br /> 21 so. <br /> 22 <br /> 23 Amelia Covington urged the Commissioners to leave the climate tax grant process as it <br /> 24 is, and therefore continuing to allow schools to apply for grants. She agreed with Kim Piracci, <br /> 25 and said she wants to ensure the funds from the tax are going to equitable and thoughtful <br /> 26 projects, and the current selection system does just that. She said she appreciates the climate <br /> 27 tax and wants to express support for continued local climate action. She said, as a young adult, <br /> 28 she is deeply concerned for her future and for future generations and if bold actions are not <br /> 29 taken, we are in for climate catastrophe. <br /> 30 <br /> 31 A motion was made by Commissioner Bedford, seconded by Commissioner Fowler, to <br /> 32 close the public hearing. <br /> 33 <br /> 34 Roll call ensued <br /> 35 <br /> 36 VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> 37 <br /> 38 A motion for a three-minute recess was made by Commissioner Dorosin, seconded by <br /> 39 Commissioner Hamilton, at 10:00 p.m. <br /> 40 <br /> 41 Roll call ensued <br /> 42 <br /> 43 VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> 44 <br /> 45 A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Price, to <br /> 46 reconvene the meeting at 10:04 p.m. <br /> 47 <br /> 48 Roll call ensued <br /> 49 <br /> 50 VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> 51 <br />