Minutes 04-21-2026-Business Meeting

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17 department to attend its meetings and raise their concerns directly. She this project will help the department better serve the community. Commissioner Portie-Ascott thanked the fire district for the presentation. She encouraged the district to increase communication with community members. She supported moving forward considering the lower numbers of volunteers and that the department has the financial capacity to pay back the loan. She said call volumes have increased and every household and business are impacted by their services. She supported the resolution. Commissioner Marilyn Carter said she was encouraged by the financial analysis presented by Director Donaldson and supported providing the fire department with the opportunity to build a facility that would allow personnel to respond more effectively. She thanked Commissioner McKee for prompting the community conversation before the vote. Vice-Chair Fowler said she agreed that the department should improve its community communication practices, but that securing a better interest rate through county financing was in the best interest of district residents and she would support the motion. Chair Hamilton asked if this is the first time the county is borrowing on behalf of one of the fire districts. Gary Donaldson said yes. Chair Jean Hamilton confirmed with Director Donaldson that this was the first instance of the county making such a loan to a fire district. She said she found the argument for county- facilitated financing compelling given the repayment security and the county's need to be prepared for the future,and encouraged continued improvement in the department's community communications. Commissioner McKee said the fire district is not alone in needing to improve communication with the public. He said that increased county involvement with the fire district may lead to more scrutiny. A motion was made by Commissioner Bedford, seconded by Vice-Chair Fowler,to approve to adopt the resolution authorizing Orange County to make a $1,700,000 loan to Orange Grove Fire District, approve the Promissory Note and Budget Amendment#9-A in substantially the form presented, and authorize the County Manager and Chief Financial Officer to take all actions necessary to implement the loan. VOTE: UNANIMOUS b. Additional Discussion on Strategic Communications Approaches The Board discussed and considered possible approaches to the County's Strategic Communications efforts, specifically community listening sessions, and provided direction to staff. BACKGROUND:The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) discussed strategic communications approaches during its April 7, 2026 Business meeting. At that time, the Board considered options for enhancing collaboration with residents, including the creation of project-based stakeholder groups and the implementation of quarterly updates to the BOCC.