Orange County NC Website
36 <br /> General Statute requires him to provide an update to the Board. He said the case settled for <br /> $50,000, with insurance covering most. He said Orange County is required to cover$12,500, <br /> which will be paid to the insurance provider, who has already distributed the funds to the plaintiff <br /> in exchange for a voluntary dismissal of the case. <br /> Commissioner Richards said she made a mistake, and did not realize that the Board <br /> does not discuss items in the consent agenda unless a Commissioner pulls an item. <br /> Chair Price said that is correct. She said if Commissioner Richards has additional <br /> questions staff can help answer them. <br /> Commissioner McKee asked if the item could be brought back to a future meeting. <br /> Chair Price said the Board has already voted. <br /> Commissioner Richards said she was interested in item 8-e, and has already spoken to <br /> staff, which was very helpful, but she wanted to talk to the Board as well. <br /> John Roberts said the Board can revisit an item if someone from the winning side of the <br /> vote makes a motion to reconsider it. <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner Bedford, seconded by Commissioner McKee, to <br /> reconsider item 8-e. <br /> Commissioner McKee suggested the item be discussed at a future meeting. <br /> Commissioner Fowler said if the item was pushed to another meeting, the current vote <br /> would stand for people to act on. <br /> Commissioner McKee withdrew his comment about pushing the conversation to a future <br /> meeting, and seconded the motion as stated by Commissioner Bedford. <br /> Roll call ensued <br /> VOTE: Ayes, 6 (Commissioner Fowler, Commissioner Greene, Commissioner McKee, <br /> Commissioner Richards, Commissioner Bedford); Nays, 2 (Commissioner Hamilton, <br /> Chair Price) <br /> Motion Passes <br /> Commissioner Richards said she questioned staff about item 8-e, and staff was very <br /> helpful. She said no other county in North Carolina has a similar benefit, and she was <br /> concerned whether Orange County is competitive in its pay structure for law enforcement. She <br /> said staff provided information and Orange County is competitive to nearby surrounding areas. <br /> She said surrounding areas use bonuses to attract good candidates to come in the first place, <br /> as oppose to the end of a career. She said since 2016 only three law enforcement officers <br /> have retired, so this is not likely to affect a large group. She questioned what the county is <br /> incentivizing, and should this be reconsidered given the fact that no other county offers this. <br /> Chair Price said it is not to incentivize, but rather it is beneficial to law enforcement as <br /> well as the general public when law enforcement takes early retirement, due to the demands of <br /> this kind of work. She said this benefit would serve as a bridge to those who retire but are not <br /> yet eligible for other forms of retirement benefits (such as social security). <br /> Bonnie Hammersley said the Sheriff would make the recommendation to the County <br /> Manager and it would have to be approved by the County Manager. He said it is not a given <br /> that all law enforcement would receive it. She said the County Attorney's office and human <br /> resources would also be involved. She agreed that this benefit is a bridge for those who may <br />