Orange County NC Website
12 <br /> 1 person they have in mind has the certifications required and that will allow the work to continue. <br /> 2 She said without this, they will have to request engineering assistance from the state and federal <br /> 3 governments and there will be long wait times for these projects. She said the wait would likely <br /> 4 endanger funding and projects necessary for the agricultural community. <br /> 5 <br /> 6 A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Hamilton, to <br /> 7 close the public hearing on the budget and capital investment plan. <br /> 8 <br /> 9 VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> 10 <br /> 11 At this time the budget public hearing portion of the meeting ended, and the Board transitioned to <br /> 12 a work session. <br /> 13 <br /> 14 4. Amendments to Rules of Procedure for Hybrid and Remote Meetings <br /> 15 The Board discussed possible amendments to the Board of County Commissioners' Rules of <br /> 16 Procedure for conducting hybrid and remote meetings. <br /> 17 <br /> 18 BACKGROUND: In 2021 the BOCC amended its Rules of Procedure to apply the rules to <br /> 19 electronic meetings. However, at that time the BOCC did not address the concept of hybrid <br /> 20 meetings, during which some members are physically present and others are attending remotely <br /> 21 or electronically. <br /> 22 <br /> 23 At this time there are no anticipated additional financial costs for conducting hybrid or remote <br /> 24 meetings. Due to previously planned upgrades at Southern Human Services Center, the ability <br /> 25 to conduct hybrid and remote meetings will be possible from both meeting rooms at the Whitted <br /> 26 and Southern Human Services Centers. These upgrades will be completed by the end of May <br /> 27 2024. Additional staff time will be required to manage hybrid meetings; however, the staff in <br /> 28 question are exempt County employees and do not earn overtime compensation. There are no <br /> 29 additional costs anticipated by the contracted audio and visual vendors for conducting hybrid or <br /> 30 remote meetings. <br /> 31 <br /> 32 While discussing hybrid and remote meetings, the Board of County Commissioners may want to <br /> 33 consider the following questions or topics: <br /> 34 What types of meetings could be conducted remotely or as a hybrid meeting? <br /> 35 o Business Meetings <br /> 36 o Regular Work Sessions <br /> 37 o Budget Work Sessions <br /> 38 o Budget Public Hearings <br /> 39 o Board Retreats <br /> 40 o Joint Meetings with School Boards <br /> 41 o Assembly of Governments Meetings <br /> 42 o Other Joint Meetings <br /> 43 o Special Meetings <br /> 44 o Closed Sessions <br /> 45 How many Board members can participate remotely in a hybrid meeting? <br /> 46 Can other elected officials remotely participate in a Joint Meeting? <br /> 47 How often could hybrid or remote meetings occur? <br /> 48 What public notice is required for changing an in-person meeting to remote or hybrid? <br /> 49 What if there are technology issues and a Board member cannot be seen and/or heard? <br /> 50 How might this impact potential Board actions? <br /> 51 Are there Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) considerations? <br />