Minutes 06-03-2021 Virtual Business meeting

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22 hands-on skills and trainings. She said this project fills a need in the County that is unique, and she supports keeping the project where it is. Chair Price said the building will not be used online for middle college and other classes. She said it would be used more for laboratory work that would connect with hands on training for the hospital, medical center, and other 21 st century jobs that are very much needed. She said it was shortsighted for the project to be so far back in the plan to begin with, and it deserves to be prioritized. She said people will need a way to get education and skills in order to get back on their feet after the pandemic, and a traditional four year college is simply out of reach for many. She said community college is so essential, and it is a disservice to push it back. Commissioner Bedford said she agrees with everyone that the project is very valuable. She said, financially, pushing the project out, and keeping the other cuts in the CIP from last September, prevents a 2.43 cent tax increase on top of the other planned increases over the next couple of years for debt service. She agreed with Commissioner Dorosin that the analogy of a boat versus car was not right; and it is more like choosing between food and medicine. She said if taxes are raised 2.43 cents on top of the other planned increases, it will push more people out of the County. She said it is not fiscally sustainable to use one-time dollars for all of these other operating expenses, so this project should not happen until year six of the CIP. She said it is not her position to sub this out for any other schools project. Chair Price said rather than people being tax burdened, or having to choose between medicine and food, they would have the skills to get a job so they could buy both. Commissioner Dorosin said he believes this project is a necessity and it is inconsistent with Board's stated commitment to education to say it is not. He said this project is no different than other school capital needs, distinguishing education levels does not make sense. He said he appreciates the thought to be creative, but those options seem pie in the sky. He said it is a mistake to underestimate opportunities for jobs, job training, and for critical medical field skills that residents need. He said enhancing resources at Durham Tech should be part of post pandemic recovery, and it is important for intergovernmental relationship with colleagues in Durham to show Orange County has these commitments. He said delaying this project is a deal breaker for him, and will not support the budget without it. Commissioner McKee explained his amendment with Commissioner Greene. He said if funds are not set aside to actually build infrastructure for broadband, the taskforce will have only been an academic exercise. He said the amendment is for$5 million out of the first draw of ARPA funds. He said he does not think it is feasible to ask for funding from the second drawdown, but he will do so when that is possible. He said this amount will show commitment to the community and service providers that this will move forward. Commissioner Greene said the taskforce has been engaged and is very knowledgeable. She said there is potential for federal grant money and, in theory, state money as well. She said the group wants to ride the crest to put money together to fund this. She said the County needs to have some money on the table to show serious commitment to funding broadband, and understanding that the community is in desperate need of it. She said she wants to stress the urgency of acting now, and the need to show a commitment by allocating dollars. Commissioner McKee said the taskforce is ready to move forward with an RFP. He said prior to doing so, there needs be a meeting with providers to show what the need is and understand what the providers can give. He said broadband is directly mentioned in the ARPA guidance, so there is no ambiguity about the appropriateness of using these funds for this need. Commissioner Fowler said this is a very tangible thing ARPA money could achieve and would be viable and useful. She asked if this amount is flexible.