Minutes 06-15-2021 Virtual Business meeting

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17 Travis Myren said if Board approves option 1, the requested $100,000 could be added under the "Restart the Arts" item and could be started over the summer instead of waiting until November. Chair Price said that would be her request. She asked if Arts on the Hill will have to wait. Travis Myren said that program could be funded in the first year as well, if the Board would like. He said there is not any time pressure for that item (it is in the planning stage next year), so it was left off the list for now. He said he can provide resources for Arts Commission to give grants over the summer. Commissioner Fowler said she recalled a discussion on $10 million being needed for broadband, and asked if there would be enough in option 2 for that funding. Travis Myren said option 2 would only accommodate $5 million for broadband. Commissioner Greene said when the time comes she would like to make a motion to include the Restart the Arts money mentioned by Chair Price. Commissioner McKee said he would like to go with Option 1 because it provides flexibility if conditions change over the next year. Commissioner Hamilton agreed, and said she wants there to be more flexibility. She said this money can be used for public health and sewer and water, which would be helpful in some communities. She said Option 1 gives time to see about other projects that may be needed. She said she also supports moving the arts up. Commissioner Greene asked if Commissioner McKee would consider a friendly amendment to include arts funding. Commissioner McKee said absolutely. Commissioner Dorosin said he supports option 2, and thinks it is a mistake to not frontload the money. He said the Board should take most aggressive approach possible and there are more needs than can even be accommodated. He said the Board can always adjust as needed, and he believes it is critical for the funds to get back into the community as quickly as possible. Chair Price said the County will not get the money all at one time, and only gets half of it for now. Commissioner Dorosin said option 2 spends more of the currently available money now. He said option 1 leaves at least$2 million on the table. Commissioner Greene said she agrees with Commissioner Dorosin, and will vote with him. Commissioner Bedford said she is leaning towards Option 1, because it gives the Board the opportunity for a quarter-by-quarter approach. She said the Governor just extended the eviction moratorium, and the Board will have a better idea of how much is needed in each category as that ends. Commissioner Dorosin said he does not want the money to go into the rainy day fund, and the Board can make regular budget amendments and look at it every quarter regardless of which plan it approves. He said the question is making a commitment to the community to push the money out as quickly as possible. He said the BOCC is not losing the opportunity to review it at any time with option 2. He said the list of needs, as a result of the pandemic, is well documented, so he is not concerned about misspending. He said the money is meant to address the crisis, and it sends wrong message to say to wait and see how bad things get because things are bad now. Chair Price asked if the dollar amount difference in year 1 spending between the approaches could be identified. Travis Myren said there would be a balance of$16 million after the first year of Option 1 for the Board to make decisions about in the future. Chair Price said there is a difference of about $2 million between the options. Travis Myren said yes, and Option 2 would spend all remaining money in year 2.