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

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18 1 recommendation on how to support them. She said she would like to know how other jurisdictions 2 are managing these facilities. She said that she would like to see an analysis of different 3 ownership structures. She asked if they could partner with Durham Tech to offer classes in a more 4 efficient manner. She said she wants to make sure they prevent the runaway board issue and see 5 the best way to organize the structure. She said that meeting only twice in the last year is not 6 working. She said a legal review is needed for taxpayers supporting for-profit businesses. She 7 said they are also in need of a succession plan. 8 Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked if they have approved independent audits or if it is new 9 in the agreement. 10 Chair Bedford said she is unsure if they are part of the audit. 11 John Roberts said an audit is optional and would be at the cost of the county. 12 Commissioner Fowler said she wants to revisit why a Durham County commissioner is on 13 the board. She said she would like to give Orange County residents some form of priority. She 14 said she is unsure if it still makes sense to fully subsidize this. 15 Vice-Chair McKee said this is an incubator just like others they support. He said that he 16 understands concern over subsidizing a private company, but they also subsidized a private 17 company for broadband. He said they could make a distinction, but he is unsure there is one. He 18 said they are helping individuals trying to launch a business. He said this is a specialized industry. 19 He said the Board prides itself on being leaders in NC and nationally, and the interest shown in 20 the facility outside of Orange County is national. He said he would be opposed to the county 21 taking over management. He said this is an organization that needs specialized management. He 22 said he could support a 1-year extension. 23 Commissioner Greene said she agrees with Vice-Chair McKee. She said there are other 24 incubators they support and that fund economic development opportunities for private companies. 25 She said that this is not just about Orange County. She said that one of her son's friends started 26 a company and they sell all over the place now. She said that she would support two years but 27 certainly a 1-year extension. She said they need to have a work session to determine how to keep 28 this and make it more successful. 29 30 A motion was made by Commissioner Hamilton, seconded by Vice-Chair McKee, to 31 approve and authorize the Chair to sign the Management Services Agreement renewal for the 32 Piedmont Food Processing Center for a period of one year. 33 34 Vice-Chair McKee added a friendly amendment that this subject will be brought back at a 35 work session at the discretion of staff and Board leadership. 36 37 Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked how the county has been harmed because they have 38 only met twice. 39 Chair Bedford said they don't know. 40 41 VOTE: UNANIMOUS 42 43 James Watts, PFPC Board of Directors Chair, agrees with the Board's concerns and said 44 these questions have always existed. 45 46 7. Reports 47 a. 2025 Countywide Property Tax Revaluation Update 48 The Board received an overview and update from staff on the 2025 revaluation process. 49 50 BACKGROUND: Counties in North Carolina are required to conduct a revaluation of all real 51 property at least once every eight years. Orange County, like many other counties, has adopted