Minutes 04-30-2024 - Work Session

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34 sure why they would want someone else to operate the facility when they have strong leadership. She said she looks forward to considering a draft of the five-year contract. Commissioner Richards said it was helpful to know what other counties are doing with incubators. She said she believed it was a helpful economic development tool. She said she was pleased to see the partnership with Cooperative Extension. She said the return on investment was amazing. She thanked the members of PFPC for their responsiveness to their questions and comments. She said having a five-year contract provides some continuity of business so that they can continue to do more extensive planning with Cooperative Extension and Economic Development. Chair Bedford asked if Article 46 sales tax is used for the capital needs of the facility. Bonnie Hammersley said yes. Chair Bedford said that is important. She said that even though she did not think tax dollars should be used to support a for-profit business when it does not happen in other industries but it was clear that she is the only one that thinks that way. She said that is why she volunteered to be on the board and help ensure their success. She said that many of the incubators are newer and are based on the work PFPC has done. She said that it may be better to use the contract to benefit Orange County residents, rather than having a majority of PFPC members to be from Orange County. She said that because it is a private company, the county does not really have a say-so on the board positions. Commissioner Hamilton asked why other counties did not participate in the PFPC. Bonnie Hammersley said initially it was thought to make the facility regional to attract grants, and that there would be funding from other counties. She said she asked those counties in 2015, and they declined. Jonathon Smith asked Mike Ortosky, an Orange County Extension Agent for Community and Rural Development, to provide more information. Mike Ortosky said that in a private business, the board is there to inform the business. He said these are remnants from that interlocal agreement. He said if it is going to be clarified, this is the perfect time to clean up the board membership for the benefit of the company. Vice-Chair Greene said she agreed. She said that when she was on the board, there were several members from Durham County who were strong members. Chair Bedford said she supported Cooperative Extension being the manager of the contract. Bonnie Hammersley said that is a management decision and will be discussed if supported by the Board. Chair Bedford said that the PFPC board is meeting regularly and that they completed the evaluation of the executive director. She said that the board's previous lack of activity was a real concern to her. Commissioner Richards asked how long it would take to draft a management contract. Chair Bedford said one thought she had was to give them a 6-month extension if necessary while the contract was being developed. Bonnie Hammersley said that she thought an initial draft could be brought back in September. She said the Finance department can do that and they do not need to hire anyone to look at those items. She said it could be an addendum that does not tie anyone's hands. Commissioner Richards said it could take a while, so she liked the idea of an extension giving everyone a chance to review. Chair Bedford asked if there is a law about when a contract has to go to bid. John Roberts said not in this type of situation. Commissioner Hamilton said it would be helpful to know about the other counties and what they are subsidizing. Jonathon Smith said they could research that information.