Minutes 06-03-2021 Virtual Business meeting

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24 PUBLIC COMMENTS: Beth Bronson read the following statement: Good Evening Commissioners and thank you for this opportunity to speak tonight. My comment is in regard to the recommended proposed CIP budget for the planning & inspections and Economic Development departments. Having been following proposed development projects, including the BAP (study), I feel that there is a clear message that needs to be communicated — removing funds for the Buckhorn EDD could be detrimental to the County's ability to take action as a stakeholder. At the same time, currently proposed allocation seems inconsistent with the position the Board has taken on how rural industrial development should proceed. Mebane was prepared to adopt land use amendments as a result of this study as if it were a plan; while Orange Ccounty is prepared to classify this as a technical study, leaving no plan in place. Yet it has been included in the proposed 2021-2023 budget projections. Based on tonight's comments— I am again unsure if this is a study or a plan. I am requesting that the county manager further clarify how funds are allocated for Economic Development to working with Mebane in the development of the Buckhorn EDD, as mentioned in Objectives for interdepartmental collaboration on page 367: "Evaluate our Economic Development partnerships with City of Mebane, Town of Hillsborough and City of Durham regarding land use development potential." It is worth making the comment that this is an ambiguous and unmeasurable objective unless there is a binding Joint Planning Area aka, a binding agreement in place. I am here to show my support for both budget amendments regarding the Buckhorn EDD. Residents, not potential developers who do not yet exist, deserve adequate public engagement to ensure funds are allocated in coordination with County's Financial and Social Justice Impact commitments. As you continue discussions around EDDs, I encourage elected officials to consider the impending changes of the UDO, specifically Chapter 160D and the public engagement process amendments. Residents are clearly asking to understand the county's plans to proceed with development goals within its rural jurisdiction. It is clear that discussions around the Hillsborough EDD and Buckhorn EDD are occurring separately, despite their close proximity. The public input session held two weeks ago regarding the Buckhorn EDD expansion lacked clear instructions for participation and represents a missed opportunity for additional public comment. Based on the responses to two public outreach meetings, more engagement is needed prior to being presented to BOCC for budget amendments Kelly Allen read the following statement: Thank you so much for allowing me to speak this evening. My name is Kelly Allen, I am a resident of Hillsborough, and I'm a teacher at East Chapel Hill High School. I am very grateful for your service to our community, and I can imagine that "making everyone happy" when creating a budget for the county is an impossible job. With that in mind, I come to you this evening asking that you consider how the amount of money that is allocated for Orange County and Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools affects its employees and the community as a whole. In 2017, the Hillsborough/Orange County Chamber of Commerce became the first living wage certified chamber in North Carolina, and so it is clear that our community feels strongly about the importance of employees earning a living wage. Board of County Commissioners, you asked Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools to pay all employees a living wage. We did. Every employee in the district, starting next year will earn a living wage, along with yearly increases for inflation. This costs money that you need to provide, and so far you haven't. Put the county's dollars where you say its values are.