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4 <br /> comments at this meeting. She said she received a request from Chapel Hill to form a new <br /> library task force, as there is an MOU, which has expired. She said another meeting regarding <br /> the Buckhorn area is in the planning stage, and should be held in October. She said was <br /> requested to have a joint task force to look at school capital needs, and both schools boards <br /> have agreed. She said another topic that came out of the school collaboration meeting is the <br /> need for picnic tables and other items due to students eating outside at school. She said there <br /> are plans to get tents and shelters, and currently some children are bringing blankets to picnic. <br /> She said anyone who is willing to help should contact the school systems. <br /> 4. Proclamations/ Resolutions/ Special Presentations <br /> a. Discussion and Appointment for the Vacant Position on the Orange County Board <br /> of Commissioners <br /> The Board discussed nominees for the vacant position, heard comments from <br /> nominees, and made an appointment. <br /> BACKGROUND: <br /> At the June 15, 2021 Business Meeting, the Board of County Commissioners addressed the <br /> issue of filling the vacancy for the District 1 seat on the board, which occurred on July 31, 2021. <br /> State statute requires that the Board consult the political party with which the departing <br /> commissioner is affiliated. The Board decided on the following course of action for filling the <br /> vacancy. <br /> • The application form for nomination was designed and produced by the Clerk to the <br /> Board, Laura Jensen, in coordination with the Chair of the BOCC, Renee Price. <br /> • Questions to be included in the application were received from members of the BOCC <br /> by June 22, 2021. The Orange County Democratic Party was also invited to submit <br /> questions. <br /> • Applications for the vacancy were submitted to the Clerk to the Board by Monday, July <br /> 19, 2021, at 5:00 pm. Any individual wanting to be considered for the vacancy had to <br /> submit an application. <br /> • The Clerk's Office forwarded all applications to the Orange County Democratic Party <br /> and BOCC for review. In addition, the applications were provided to the Board of <br /> Elections to verify the eligibility of each candidate. <br /> • The Orange County Democratic Party had until August 16, 2021 to review the <br /> applications and provide three nominations to the Clerk to the Board and the Chair of <br /> the BOCC. <br /> • The BOCC agreed to consider the nominations and vote by ballot on an individual to fill <br /> the vacancy at the September 2, 2021 BOCC meeting. The BOCC also agreed to give <br /> each nominee two minutes to address the BOCC at the meeting. <br /> According to State statute, a decision on the next county commissioner must be made within <br /> sixty days of the vacancy. Otherwise, the Clerk of Superior Court shall make the appointment. <br /> Thus, the BOCC has a deadline to make a decision by September 29, 2021. <br /> The Clerk to the Orange County Board of Commissioners received applications from the <br /> following individuals for the anticipated commissioner vacancy by the published deadline of 5:00 <br /> pm on Monday, July 19, 2021. The Director of Elections, Rachel Raper, confirmed that all of <br /> the applicants are registered Democrats and reside in District 1, making them eligible for <br /> appointment to the vacant seat. <br />