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18 <br /> Travis Myren explained that the undesignated fund balance is always available for <br /> emergencies, and following the January audit presentation, additional funds above the 16% fund <br /> balance may be available. <br /> Commissioner McKee said $50,000 could be taken from the Social Justice Fund, and the <br /> remainder could be picked up by the fund balance. He said he would like to leave something in <br /> the Social Justice Fund. <br /> Vice-Chair Fowler said if there is a true emergency in the future, staff can still take money <br /> from the fund balance. She asked about the county capital reserve. <br /> Travis Myren said the reserve was created a couple years ago, and can be used for <br /> operating or capital purposes. <br /> Vice-Chair Fowler asked if the other option is the undesignated fund balance. <br /> Travis Myren said yes. <br /> Commissioner Bedford argued for using the full $76,000 from social justice for easier <br /> accounting. She noted the capital reserve had $41,196 currently but expected additional monies <br /> after the audit, possibly almost a million dollars. She wanted to make a motion to reach 25% using <br /> whatever combination the manager deemed best, acknowledging it could be slightly higher since <br /> final approval numbers weren't known. She suggested funds might initially come from the fund <br /> balance with a budget amendment after the audit. <br /> Commissioner Carter supported increasing the program while questioning whether 25% <br /> was the right objective. She asked if they'd always had that goal and what was magical about <br /> 25%. <br /> Travis Myren said that is just what was done last year. <br /> Commissioner Carter suggested this broader question about what the goal should be <br /> might be appropriate for budget discussions. She also asked about distribution across <br /> municipalities, particularly since Chapel Hill and Carrboro had contributed funds. <br /> Blake Rosser said he is planning to come back in February with that sort of information. <br /> He said Chapel Hill pitched in more than anticipated this year (almost $87,000) and Carrboro <br /> joined in for the first time. <br /> Chair Hamilton asked if the Towns' monies are going straight to their residents. <br /> Blake Rosser said it is applied to the Town portion of the bill for their residents. <br /> Commissioner Greene said she supports reaching 25% by any combination of funds staff <br /> chooses. <br /> Vice-Chair Fowler responded to Commissioner Carter's question about goals, explaining <br /> the program started 4-5 years ago with the 2021 revaluation also catching people off guard. The <br /> original idea was to offset that increase rather than pay the whole bill. <br /> Chair Hamilton added that it started with just a dollar amount that the Housing Department <br /> had to spread across all needs and evolved over time. She agreed with Commissioner Carter's <br /> point about discussing this in the full budget context. <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Bedford, to <br /> reach the 25% allocation like last year and to defer to staff to bring a formal proposal as to how <br /> that allocation will occur. <br /> VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> b. One-Year Pilot Implementation of Fare-Free Fixed Route Transportation Service <br /> The Board approved fee changes to implement a one-year pilot program, making Orange County <br /> Public Transportation (OCPT) fixed routes fare-free. <br />