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9 <br /> Travis Myren, Deputy County Manager, introduced the item. He reviewed the information <br /> included in the background of the agenda abstract. <br /> Chair Bedford said initially she did not think it was something the Board should consider, <br /> but Commissioner Richards asked for her to reconsider and bring it to the attention of the whole <br /> Board. <br /> Commissioner Richards thanked Chair Bedford for taking another look at the request. She <br /> said she has been working with the Alliance since they existed. She said that this is a service <br /> contract, and it is not a staff member. She said it is a contract for a specific set of work. She said <br /> that the county has been asked to support the program for 3 years and after that it would be on <br /> their own. She said that all three entities agree that there is a need for this kind of support. She <br /> said she views this as a way to leverage everyone's efforts across the county. <br /> Vice-Chair Greene said it would provide a service that is not currently offered. She <br /> reviewed features of the proposal that set it apart from other efforts. She said that the county can <br /> add to the infrastructure that is already there by participating. <br /> Commissioner Richards said agribusiness is part of this growth and that the refugee <br /> population is also getting into farming. She said that potential can be leveraged here. <br /> Commissioner Hamilton said she sees the need for focusing on BIPOC businesses. She <br /> said that it is a huge amount for one person. She said she would be concerned that the person <br /> would be set up for failure without support. She said that the performance measures seemed <br /> challenging for one person to attain. She said she feared that they would not get what they were <br /> looking for with this position. She said she would like to know a lot more about these businesses. <br /> Commissioner Portie-Ascott said she thought it was a phenomenal idea and as a black <br /> business owner, she knows that there is additional support needed to be successful. She asked <br /> if they needed to shift to, can they implement the services. <br /> Commissioner Richards said other departments are not going to quit what they are doing. <br /> She said that her understanding is that the person would have an office at the Chamber, but they <br /> would work with the staff of the individual entities to understand what is going on in each <br /> community. She said that she sees the power in one person. <br /> Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked if that means if one person is held accountable to <br /> achieve these outcomes. <br /> Commissioner Richards said that it is a service contract. She said that maybe it ends up <br /> being the government providing what they are doing, and they would still be engaged. <br /> Commissioner Fowler said it does not read like a service contract because it includes <br /> salaries and dental. She said that information in the agenda packet includes representing BIPOC <br /> businesses to government and that would be in essence, paying people to lobby the <br /> commissioners. She said that it needs to be clearer what deliverables are being brought to the <br /> county. She said that she would prefer it to be in-house, so they can decide what deliverables <br /> they want. She said one of the largest underemployed groups are those with disabilities and they <br /> are not listed. She asked if this process would be redone for that group. <br /> Commissioner Richards said she called it a service contract because that was how it was <br /> described in the agenda packet. She said there are additional costs that they are not being asked <br /> to support. She said Carrboro already had a service contract. She said that is not a full-up salary <br /> and there would be other costs. <br /> Chair Bedford said she has a number of concerns and does not support this proposal <br /> through this vehicle. She said she wants to do better work to support these businesses. She said <br /> when they do their outside agency funding, they are 501(c)(3) nonprofits, and they specify <br /> mandated services. She said that the county does a lot of work but sometimes needs help. She <br /> said the Chamber is a 501(c)(6)organization and a not for profit. She said that those organizations <br /> can engage in lobbying. She said that the state chamber is concerned about the nominee for the <br /> state superintendent of schools. She said as a commissioner, she wants to be independent when <br /> making decisions. She said that the lobbying they get periodically is not ok. She said the lack of <br />