Agenda 11-14-23; 8-a - Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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17 1 further to do with it and it became a non-profit. He said that in 2015 there was a shutdown looming. 2 He said that he walked into Barry Jacobs' office, and he started as the interim director with a 3 deferred salary. He said he started with their financials and because they were behind, the non- 4 profit was dissolved. He said that when Orange County filed,they filed with the wrong box checked 5 and there was no way they could get reinstated for non-profit. He said that they started a new 6 entity in January 2018 and started the process to become their own non-profit. He said that with 7 research, they determined that the IRS was not providing that status for businesses like this. He 8 said that they operate as a non-profit, with no owners, but that is what they were told is ok. He 9 said they are a NC non-profit but file federal taxes as a C-Corporation. He said they are still unsure 10 about their relationship with Orange County, and they need to figure that out. 11 Commissioner Fowler asked if it would be possible to coordinate with Durham Tech on 12 culinary classes. 13 Sue Ellsworth said it would be hard with the way the kitchens are set up and because of 14 the regulations. 15 Commissioner Greene said she is trying to understand the non-profit issue. She said they 16 board operates like a non-profit, but they are not filing as a 501c(3). She asked if they are not a 17 non-profit because they recognize that the groups they are helping do not fall into the category 18 for non-profit. 19 Eric Hallman said yes. 20 Commissioner Portie-Ascott said that 80-85 businesses have used the facility this year 21 and asked how the number has changed over the last 3-5 years. 22 Eric Hallman said they have 60 current clients at a time and that demand has not 23 decreased. 24 Commissioner Richards said if any board members haven't gone, they should go. She 25 said she applauds the creativity, the work, and the encouragement for small businesses. She said 26 she is very supportive. She said that if there are things the Board is uncomfortable with, they 27 should be direct about addressing those things, but she believes this is an asset for Orange 28 County and wants to figure out how best to support it. 29 Commissioner Hamilton said she has not been to the facility yet. She said that reading 30 through the information and understanding the history, the amount of subsidy that Orange County 31 is giving, she has to ask herself what other uses could benefit from the use of the money. She 32 said it is not clear to her what the alternatives are or the direct benefits to the residents of Orange 33 County. She said she feels this is something where she would like more time to see the benefit 34 of having this facility. She said she is in favor of a shorter agreement while doing the work to reach 35 an agreement for a longer term. 36 Chair Bedford said BOCC provides capital support for only two outside agencies. She said 37 the other is a program that serves disabled adults. She said this kitchen serves for-profit 38 businesses. She said that she is concerned about duplication of services. She said that there is 39 a need for additional financial analysis. She said she is not in favor of selling this. She said there 40 should be support and the employees should be paid properly. She said that this feels like d6ja 41 vu from two years ago. She said that this contract saves this program from a runaway board. She 42 said it is really important that they need to consider restructuring. She said that 7 or 8 farmers are 43 using the facility. She said that she has requested the full financials, and they can understand the 44 operations themselves. She said they should require the sharing of minutes. She said that she 45 questions why Orange County taxpayers should subsidize for-profit businesses in general, but 46 especially those that are from outside of Orange County. She said she wants to extend the 47 contract for one year and task the Manager to create a list of the items. She read a list that will be 48 provided to the manager of things she would like to know. She said a consultant may need to be 49 brought in. She said she needs a full financial analysis with market rents, maintenance costs, and 50 long-term future. She said this needs to bring in the overall economic benefits and costs to the 51 county and the region. She said she would like to know what the farmers need and would like a