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3 <br /> Chamber of Commerce meeting on February V and they reported a large increase in <br /> membership. Later that day she also attended the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council meeting, <br /> and the programs are starting to have increased referrals now. Finally, on February 41h, she <br /> attended the Legislative Breakfast on Mental Health. She shared that 61 counties have no <br /> pediatric psychiatrist and 34 have no psychiatrist at all. She said that the Department of Health <br /> and Human Service's goal this year is also Medicaid expansion, which would prevent closure of <br /> rural hospitals and behavioral health care centers across the state. She said she it seems hopeful <br /> that Medicaid expansion will finally pass this year. <br /> 4. Proclamations/ Resolutions/ Special Presentations <br /> a. Discussion and Appointment for the Vacant Position on the Orange County Board of <br /> Commissioners <br /> The Board discussed nominees and made an appointment to the vacant position on the Board of <br /> County Commissioners. <br /> BACKGROUND: At its December 5, 2022 Business Meeting, the Board of County <br /> Commissioners addressed the issue of filling the vacant District 2 seat on the Board, which <br /> occurred on December 31, 2022. State statute requires that the Board consult the political party <br /> with which the departing commissioner is affiliated. The Board decided on the following course of <br /> action for filling the vacancy, which follows a similar process used for filling a previous vacancy in <br /> 2021: <br /> • The application form for nomination was produced and advertised by the Clerk to the <br /> Board Laura Jensen, after revisions were suggested by the Board of County <br /> Commissioners. <br /> • Applications for the vacancy were submitted to the Clerk to the Board by Friday, January <br /> 6, 2023, at 5:00 pm. Any individual wanting to be considered for the vacancy had to submit <br /> an application. <br /> • The Clerk's Office forwarded all applications to the Orange County Democratic Party and <br /> BOCC members for review. In addition, the applications were sent to the Board of <br /> Elections to verify eligibility of each candidate. <br /> • The Orange County Democratic Party had until January 30, 2023 to review the <br /> applications and provide a nomination/nominations to the Clerk to the Board and the Chair <br /> of the BOCC. <br /> • The BOCC agreed to consider the nominations and vote by ballot on an individual to fill <br /> the vacancy at the February 7, 2023 BOCC meeting. <br /> According to State statute, the appointment of a new Board member must be made within sixty <br /> days of the vacancy. Otherwise, the Clerk of Superior Court shall make the appointment. Thus, <br /> the BOCC has a deadline of March 1, 2023 to make an appointment. <br /> The Clerk to the Orange County Board of Commissioners received applications from the following <br /> individuals for the commissioner vacancy by the published deadline of 5:00 pm on Friday, January <br /> 6, 2023. Director of Elections Rachel Raper has confirmed that all of the applicants are registered <br /> Democrats and reside in District 2, making them eligible for appointment to the vacant seat. <br /> • Gail Corrado <br /> • Horace Johnson <br /> • Phyllis Portie-Ascott <br /> • Brenda Stephens <br /> • Natalie Ziemba <br />