Minutes 06-08-2021 Virtual Bussiness meeting

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5 said she is not sure if SCORE has been available during the pandemic. She said it was very generous of the Chamber to share its knowledge about PPP loans, even with non-members. She said Durham Tech will also receive a little over $10 million in ARPA funds. She said half must be used to support students, and half must support institutional needs. She said she hoped Durham Tech might be able to maintain funding for these hours, and the County could continue to monitor it for future funding. Commissioner Dorosin said he endorsed the amendment, and this funding makes sense. He said it a relatively small amount of money. He said programs like Commissioner Bedford mentioned serve a limited clientele, while Durham Tech serves a very different and underserved cohort. Commissioner McKee said he was satisfied with the funding described by the Manager Commissioner Greene moved the amendment, Commissioner McKee seconded. Chair Price asked everyone to raise their hands on Zoom if they support. Roll call ensued. VOTE: Ayes, 4 (Chair Price, Commissioner Dorosin, Commissioner McKee, and Commissioner Greene; Nays, 3 (Commissioners Bedford, Commissioner Fowler, and Commissioner Hamilton) AMENDMENT PASSES Commissioner Fowler asked if the Sheriff could speak to his ability to meet the terms of the amendment. Sheriff Blackwood said he has never had to consider a cut to his office. He said his office is not a County department, but is a stand-alone office. He said his office tries to be fiscally responsible, and has operated well within the budget since he has been Sheriff. He said his office is a leader in the state and the nation, with innovative programs for mental health, youth in the community, and working with Criminal Justice Resource Center to allow those who leave his facilities and never return. He said his office has taken steps to reduce inmates, and has offered de-escalation training to every department within the County. He said he works tirelessly to reimagine the criminal justice system. He said he provides evidence-based training. He said his in house IT staff work tirelessly on data sets to provide information and answers in order to address root causes of disparity. He said as hard as he works, his staff works harder and focuses on community safety. He said his employees have done so without raises for two years, and the outlook is bleak for next two years, but this will never affect his office's commitment to the job. He said all programs cost money, and reducing an already trimmed down budget is counter productive to the goals outlined in the mission statement. He said it would also make it difficult, if not impossible, to achieve goals by those demanding change to criminal justice system. He said when one excels one is rewarded, and if one fails one may be subjected to sanctions or termination. He said nowhere is success rewarded by sanctions, demotions, defunding, etc. He said the men and women of Orange County Sheriff's Office are a shining light. He said if this Board is compelled to punish the Office, despite its excellent work, he cannot stop it. He said he will tell his staff it is not as a result of anything they have failed to do, and he would accept the blame and pray his staff does not go elsewhere. Commissioner McKee asked if the County Manager recommended any reduction for this office. Bonnie Hammersley said she did not.