Minutes-05-18-2023-Budget Work Session

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6 Jacklyn Krohn said she does not have the numbers for the Small Business Center, but they would not be included in the number of students. President Buxton said they will follow up with some data on this. He said this is done in both Durham and Orange in partnership with the Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC). Commissioner Richards thanked President Buxton for his presentation. She asked if safety is provided by the county. President Buxton said it is provided through the overall budget. Commissioner Richards asked if the current police officers are paid for by the county. Andrew Kleitsch said because safety officers are rotating between Durham and Orange counties, Orange County provides 15% of the salaries for those rotating officers. He said they are looking for a dedicated officer for the Orange County Campus. Commissioner Richards asked where that is reflected in the budget. Andrew Kleitsch said it is listed under Service Maintenance and Skilled Employees in their budget request. Commissioner Richards asked if the increase would occur in that category if funding was provided for the sworn officer. Andrew Kleitsch said it was included in a separate line item in the budget request in order to stand out, but that it is the same category. Commissioner Richards said she is curious about the Sheriff's Office's role in K-12 education and the difference in the treatment with community colleges. Bonnie Hammersley said the county has a contract with the school districts for one nurse at every school in Orange County, and SROs to every elementary, middle, and high school in Orange County Schools, and every middle and high school in Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools. Commissioner Richards asked if that was a practice or a law. Bonnie Hammersley said it is practice and can be changed. Commissioner Richards said money has been dedicated to the 203 Project around workforce and small business. She said she would appreciate learning about the synergy that is anticipated between the 203 Project and the Innovation Hub. She asked what kind of outcome and payback the Board can expect with this additional investment. President Buxton said until a year ago there was no dedicated coverage at the Small Business Center and the numbers reflected it. He said there was very little activity from the college to support individuals, who often reach out for assistance in the early ideation stages of their business. He said there is no cost for services through this process and people are often connected with additional resources. He said the Hillsborough campus is a good location, but other locations are needed for walk-in and meeting services. He said the Innovation Hub would provide space for small business counseling in Downtown Chapel Hill, space for customized training as more businesses locate there, as well as space for continuing education and curriculum-based classes. He said the college will have to pay rent somewhere and this seems like a good place for the county to invest in. He said they also like the partnership and synergy with UNC Chapel Hill in some areas that are pathways for students for jobs in the university or for programming for high school students. Commissioner Richards asked if the SBTDC from UNC will be at the Innovation Hub. President Buxton said he is not sure about that. Commissioner Richards said offering classes here makes sense, but not the small business support. She said she thinks the county's Economic Development department is proposing a small business support as well. Travis Myren said that is just for software. He said the Economic Development department does not do any training. He said the county relies on Durham Tech and SBTDC for that as well as other organizations.