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DRAFT <br />3 <br />2. Member Qualifications: Without a clear understanding of the mission it is <br />difficult to determine the individual qualifications necessary to effectively serve <br />on this authority. Although the terms of office have been established by the <br />enabling legislation, some idea of the time commitment necessary to fulfill the <br />obligations of this body will also be important in recruiting volunteers to serve as <br />our representatives. <br />3. Fiscal Issues: How is the authority to be initially funded? The Board of <br />Commissioners has a fiduciary obligation to the taxpayers of Orange County, and <br />must be cautious in undertaking any additional expenditures or responsibilities, <br />particularly in these difficult economic times. Until the airport is constructed and <br />generating revenues, we would like to know how you anticipate funds will be <br />derived in order for the authority to perform its work -- hiring consultants, paying <br />for legal representation, performing necessary environmental and impact analyses, <br />property procurement, developmental costs, etc. Also, assuming the airport <br />accommodates uses and/or functions that fall in part or whole under the auspices <br />of the University, are property tax payment-in-lieu arrangements contemplated for <br />the facility as are envisioned for Carolina North to address local public safety and <br />tax-revenue interests? <br />4. Public Concerns: The Orange County Board of Commissioners is committed to <br />transparent decision making and robust public participation, particularly in this <br />matter that could have a profound effect on our communities, the environment, <br />and nearly 30 years of careful land-use planning. You mentioned in your October <br />5 letter a welcome wish to "strive to create a fair and transparent process for the <br />consideration of all issues and perspectives concerning the work of this <br />authority." Does that mean the decisions and operations of the authority will be <br />susceptible to influence by concerned residents in public hearings and by other <br />means, and that full, relevant information will be made available to the public in a <br />timely manner? Has it been determined where the authority will be "housed," and <br />is that location easily accessible to the public? <br />5. Concurrent Authority: The Board of Commissioners appreciated the efforts made <br />to include respect for Orange County's land-use responsibility in the enabling <br />legislation for the airport authority, as well as your commitment as Chancellor to <br />solicit our participation. Will the authority undertake its work with clear direction <br />from the University that County land-use plans and zoning regulations are to <br />frame its decisions? Is it clear that the use of eminent domain is to be regarded as <br />a measure of last resort? <br />We respectfully request that these unknowns be addressed before the BOCC becomes a <br />full participant in the creation and operation of the airport authority. Our process for <br />board appointments includes a period of advertisement as well as formal appointment of <br />representatives at a public meeting. Written clarification regarding the concerns outlined <br />in this letter, as well as a presentation to the Board at one of our regularly scheduled <br />meetings in the near future, would be appreciated prior to our making appointments. <br />