Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
13 <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Greene to <br /> approve the establishment of the Schools Capital Needs Work Group as outlined above and <br /> approve the membership detailed on the attached list; appoint Commissioner Hamilton to serve <br /> on the Work Group with the Board Chair; and direct the County Manager to coordinate with the <br /> School Superintendents to schedule the first meeting of the Work Group. <br /> Roll call ensued <br /> VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> Commissioner Richards indicated that October 22 is Brennan Bouma's last day with <br /> Orange County before beginning his new position with Chapel Hill. She commended him for his <br /> outstanding service, speaking as a Commissioner, as well as a community member and <br /> someone who worked with him in that manner. She said Brennan Bouma is an outstanding <br /> County employee, with exemplary commitment, knowledge, and a personable and patient <br /> attitude. She said she is sorry to see him leave, but wanted to go on record to thank him for his <br /> work and wish him the best in his career. <br /> Commissioner Fowler seconded all of those accolades and said Brennan Bouma has <br /> been generous with his time to discuss climate action. She said she would also like to <br /> volunteer for the committee to review the climate council that was discussed earlier on in the <br /> meeting. She asked if the County Manager has a plan to fill Brennan Bouma's shoes. <br /> Bonnie Hammersley said there is currently a hiring freeze in county government. She <br /> said all vacancies are evaluated. She said this position is under the supervision of the Asset <br /> Management Services Director, who has been asked to review the job description to determine <br /> if changes need to occur. She said the position will then go in the queue for prioritization with <br /> all the other open positions in the County, but in mean time, the AMS Director and Manager's <br /> Office will cover the duties. <br /> Commissioner Fowler said she hopes Brennan Bouma heard all of the accolades. <br /> Brennan Bouma said he did, and expressed thanks to the Board. <br /> Chair Price said expressed gratitude to Brennan Bouma. <br /> c. Establishment of a Library Services Task Force <br /> The Board considered establishing a Library Services Task Force to collaborate on <br /> issues relating to the Town of Chapel Hill and Orange County library funding and inter- <br /> operability. <br /> BACKGROUND: <br /> On August 31, 2021, Town of Chapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger sent a letter to BOCC Chair <br /> Renee Price informing her that the Chapel Hill Public Library Advisory Board had submitted a <br /> petition (attached) to the Town Council requesting the formation of a task force to work on <br /> issues relating to library funding and inter-operability. <br /> On September 28, 2012, the Town of Chapel Hill and the County entered into an inter-local <br /> agreement (attached) regarding the funding of the Chapel Hill Municipal Library and improved <br /> interoperability of library services. The inter-local agreement between Orange County and <br /> Chapel Hill expired in 2017. In early 2015, a work group met to discuss the terms of the inter- <br /> local agreement as well as pro-actively renew the agreement. The work group was <br /> unsuccessful at revising or renewing the agreement due to the uncertainty of how the <br /> construction to replace the existing Orange County Southern Branch Library system would <br /> impact library services in Southern Orange County. <br />