Agenda - 09-17-2024; 8-a - Minutes

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12 1 Bridget Pemberton-Smith, a lifelong resident and there to represent the Pro-Bono 2 Counseling Network. She said they ask diverse mental health clinicians to donate 8 sessions a 3 year to provide therapy services. She said this is especially valuable to those that are uninsured. 4 She expressed gratitude for the recommended funding for the organization through the Outside 5 Agency funding process. She said they are looking at hiring their first fulltime employee to help 6 manage the scheduling. 7 George Barrett, executive director of the Marion Cheek Jackson Center and director of the 8 Orange County Affordable Housing Board. He thanked the Board for renewing the LHA program. 9 He thanked the Board for their commitment to affordable housing. He thanked them for releasing 10 the first $5 million of CIP funding for affordable housing. He said this is making a tremendous 11 impact on the community. He asked that this be sustained over 10 years. He said this need only 12 continues to grow. He said that they want them to consider the disproportionate impact the bond 13 tax increase will have on the low-income population. He said that a tax increase can have the 14 impact of forcing families out of their homes. He said that as they think about uses, he asks them 15 to think about the connection between school success and having safe, affordable homes for 16 students. He said that teachers need to be able to afford to live where they serve. He said that 17 education will not work without affordable housing for the participants. 18 Jackie Jenks said as the other co-chair of the Coalition said that she agrees with 19 everything that George Barrett said. She said that on behalf of IFC, she wanted to express 20 gratitude for the continued partnership with the county. She said the work intersects with the 21 county in critical ways every day. She said that they work daily with the street outreach team and 22 work together on cold weather pop-up shelters. She said that IFC didn't close doors a single day 23 during COVID. She said it was one of the only places people could go who didn't have a place to 24 call home and receive a host of services. She said that their contributions have decreased to pre- 25 pandemic levels, but the needs have not. She said they are having to reduce expenses 500-700K 26 a year. She said that this year, they will need to close Community House during daytime hours. 27 She said that they continue to struggle to make sure they have enough pantry items and fresh 28 foods for those that shop. She is grateful for the amendment put forward for food purchasing and 29 asked for support. 30 Kathy Atwater said she is a staff member of the Marian Cheek Jackson Center and a 41h 31 generation resident of the Northside Community. She expressed gratitude for reinstituting the 32 Long-time Homeowners' Assistance Program. She said that the need for the residents to stay in 33 their homes is vital. She said they want to be able to remain there. She said there are residents 34 that have been there for over 100 years, and this is a resource for them to be able to stay. She 35 said that the property tax increase will really help residents be able to stay in their homes. She 36 said the home repair programs are also helpful. She said it is very important to keep funding 37 available for the LHA program. 38 39 A motion was made by Vice-Chair Greene, seconded by Commissioner Fowler, to close 40 the public hearing. 41 42 VOTE: UNANIMOUS 43 44 At this time the budget public hearing portion of the meeting ended, and the Board transitioned to 45 a work session. 46 47 4. Advisory Board on Aging —Appointments Discussion 48 The Board discussed appointments to the Advisory Board on Aging. 49 50 BACKGROUND: The Advisory Board on Aging suggests policy and makes recommendations to 51 the Board of Commissioners and the Department on Aging while acting as the liaison between