Minutes 03-10-2026-Work Session - Laserfiche WebLink

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4 Health Assessment report. He said those are: access to care, behavioral health, and connections to community support. He said while they cannot make changes to improve public health, they can recommend changes. He said they want to educate and learn more about affordable housing needs. He described the photo voice project the Board of Health is working on. He said they've recently reviewed the budget and have improved internal processes to make sure that the department is collecting insurance revenue from clinical services. Vice-Chair Fowler thanked the Board of Health for their service. Commissioner McKee said he is currently on the Board of Health and is attending their upcoming meeting. Oscar Fleming of the Board of Social Services reviewed the accomplishments of the Department of Social Services. He said that the department worked hard to reduce the impacts of the budget shortfall while still serving residents. He requested that staffing levels be maintained to meet the needs of residents. Vice-Chair Fowler asked how much funding is needed for Social Services. Oscar Fleming said he didn't have an exact number, but they are asking for the department's needs to be met and to avoid deeply cutting their budget. Commissioner Carter said impacts to SNAP and Medicaid are being felt nationwide and that at the recent legislative conference, people from both sides of the aisle were unified on the need to delay implementation. Oscar Fleming acknowledged DSS staff and their efforts during so much uncertainty. Chair Hamilton thanked the Board of Social Services and acknowledged the need to protect the most vulnerable. Emilee Collins of the Economic Development Advisory Board highlighted the board's initiatives to enhance the local economy by fostering small business growth, agriculture, and expanding the non-residential tax base. She said the board met six times to review grant applications, notably supporting two investment programs: the Small Business Investment Grant Program, which awarded $156,232 across 30 grants, and the Agriculture Economic Development Grant Program, distributing $115,639 through 13 grants. She noted the move of French manufacturer Citel to the county. She said the board would like additional funding for small business and agricultural grant advertising. Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked for more information on the advertisement program. Steve Brantley, Economic Development Director, said they have a small advertisement budget which they would like to increase in the next fiscal year. He described the increase in planned advertisement and said that ads can cost between $2,000 and $50,000. Commissioner Bedford asked if incentive payments will be higher in the next few fiscal years. Steve Brantley said yes. He said they will provide an incentive spreadsheet showing the costs over the next several years. D.R. Bryan of the Chapel Hill-Orange County Visitors Bureau Advisory Board described the activities of the board and the economic impacts of tourism. He said a consultant advised that the board look at the structure of the board and the limitations on the board. He suggested reviewing how the local tourism development authorities (TDAs) operate. He said the consultant suggested reviewing their mission statement and vision. He also said that the consultant suggested promoting visitation to Hillsborough. D.R. Bryan said that the advisory board will bring the recommendations to the Board of Commissioners. Vice-Chair Fowler asked for more information on the local tourism development authorities. D.R. Bryan said that information will be brought to the Board. Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked about a statement in the advisory board's workplan to audit short-term rentals.