Orange County NC Website
19 <br /> Amy Eckberg said she hopes to do this at Breeze Farms and said that farmers would like <br /> to learn about new technology that could be helpful. She said farmers mentioned learning more <br /> about sustainable farming practices. <br /> Commissioner Fowler asked if there are particular crops that work best in these conditions. <br /> Amy Eckberg said there has been a lot of research on that question and they are getting <br /> feedback on it. She said that the solar panels will help provide a level of shade and moisture as <br /> temperatures continue to increase with climate change. <br /> Commissioner Richards asked where they provide for funding in the climate action plan. <br /> Amy Eckberg said she anticipates there will be more input on the budget next year after <br /> the survey closes. <br /> Commissioner Richards asked how many EVs are in the fleet. <br /> Amy Eckbert said there are three and 10 more will be ordered. <br /> Commissioner Richards asked if there is a plan to do a certain number per year. She <br /> asked if it's the practice to lease and then buy vehicles. <br /> Robert Williams said there is a plan to phase in additional vehicles, but they want the <br /> infrastructure first to understand the capacity. He said it's case by case, but it's not the standard <br /> practice. <br /> Travis Myren said there was a special incentive at the time for leases, but it is no longer <br /> available, so rather than buy or lease new vehicles, the recommendation is to buy out the leases. <br /> Commissioner Hamilton asked if the$312,000 sustainability fund would be a pay-as-you- <br /> go funding source. <br /> Kirk Vaughn said sustainability is financed by debt in the first five years and as more <br /> capacity is built they hope to transition it to county-funded pay-go. They do not have the grant in <br /> the project, but will do a budget amendment as they come in. <br /> Commissioner Hamilton asked if the county match will come from borrowed money and is <br /> under the category for tax-supported debt-financing. <br /> Kirk Vaughn said yes. <br /> Vice-Chair McKee asked if because it is pay-as-you-go tax-supported if there have been <br /> numbers run for what the tax impact will be. <br /> Kirk Vaugn said natural growth picks up the pay-go and no tax increase is projected. He <br /> said that as the county does more pay-as-you-go, they will be saving the county but paying up <br /> front. <br /> Travis Myren said the pay-go increases are built into the debt model, so no tax increases <br /> are projected. <br />