Minutes-02-24-2023-Retreat Meeting

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13 Vice-Chair McKee said the loudest voices override others, leaving people feeling unheard. He also noted the lack of infrastructure for economic development. Chair Bedford said poverty, rural/urban divide, skyrocketing housing and childcare costs, lack of full transit, undiversified tax base, crumbling schools, and equity opportunity gaps. She said staff need more time to collaborate, they are dealing with systems that are inequitable, and they need more money. Commissioner Richards said a weakness is that there are two different counties and uneven resources. She said we have the highest per capita income, but not everyone participates in that. She said there is shrinking diversity, because people can't afford to live in the county. She said a weakness is the real estate tax base. She said decisions were made many years ago that can't be undone. She said communication to the public is a weakness. She said lack of a clear vision is a weakness. She said lack of a clear vision makes it difficult for staff. Commissioner Fowler said there is a large mental health issue, lack of affordable housing, and insufficient public transit. She said there are massive school capital needs. She said there is tension between economic growth and the ability to provide affordable housing and other needs for increasing numbers of residents. She said there are insufficient funds to meet all needs. She said the county has to fund schools, both capital and some operational, and she said that it creates difficulties because schools do not have to determine what their real needs are, the county has to make these decisions. She said funding for schools is tied to a percentage, versus what they need and what the county's needs are. Commissioner Hamilton said strong special interest groups affect decision-making, lack of diverse industries, the capital needs of schools, lack of affordable housing, and a limited ability to raise taxes. She said communication and coordinating with residents could be better. She said departments can be silo-ed. The Board took a 15 minute break. OPPORTUNITIES: Commissioner Hamilton said an opportunity is that the county has a stable tax base. She said when there are changes in the economy, they are buffered. She said they have engaged commissioners, residents, and staff. She said the strategic plan is an opportunity. Commissioner Fowler said there is an engaged populous, a university, and farmland/open space. Commissioner Richards said an opportunity is regional growth and an improved transportation system. She said they have an opportunity to improve inter-connectivity across the county. Chair Bedford said the strategic plan is an opportunity. She said the county has beautiful natural areas, which gives opportunities for eco- and agri-tourism. She said there are opportunities in changing policing and justice systems. She said the behavioral health center is tied to that. She said county government has an opportunity to work on equity across functions. She said they have an opportunity in integrating services, so residents have a one stop shop, such as the housing helpline. Vice-Chair McKee said the geographic location of the county and increased economic development interests are opportunities. Commissioner Greene said there is an opportunity to collaborate and think regionally for transit and housing. She said the southern branch of the library will increase opportunities to think collaboratively. She said farmland provides an opportunity to strengthen that resource. She said there will also be opportunities with the new behavioral health center. Commissioner Portie-Ascott said there is an opportunity engage with developers to make it easier to build affordable housing and increase economic development.