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Laura Blackmon pointed out that if the fund balance were used for this balance, then it <br /> would still be at 11.1% of expenditures, and 15% is the target. <br /> Commissioner Nelson verified that the County does not have $6 million in funds <br /> available, but only the authority to issue the bonds. It is important that the public understands <br /> this. <br /> Laura Blackmon said that her recommendation in the future is that the County should <br /> not get approval for huge bond issuances because it sets up an expectation that a project is <br /> going to be done. Debt should only be issued when the project is ready to be done. <br /> Commissioner Gordon said that the Board promised to do the projects on the pink <br /> sheet which had a list of the 2001 bond projects for parks, recreation, and open space. She <br /> asked what was included in the $5.5 million. <br /> Gary Humphreys said that for the aquatics center, most of the bond money has been <br /> spent. <br /> Commissioner Gordon said that she thought that some of these projects had been <br /> done already. <br /> Laura Blackmon said that the money is not there and more bonds would have to be <br /> issued to finish the projects. <br /> Commissioner Gordon said it has been seven years since these projects were <br /> approved. <br /> Chair Jacobs said that the Board is not satisfied with this item and it is getting late. He <br /> suggested talking about this again on November 131h. The Commissioners can send questions <br /> to the staff in the interim. <br /> Commissioner Gordon said that at some point, she would like to know which projects <br /> on the pink sheet are implicated before the Board gets into the CIP discussion. <br /> Gary Humphreys said that he would work on this before the end of the meeting. <br /> This issue will be addressed on November 131h <br /> 6. Third Party Representation in the Employee Disciplinary Process <br /> Commissioner Foushee suggested that the Board just ask questions and not have a <br /> presentation. <br /> Commissioner Carey said that he read the Attorney's memo on this and understands <br /> the constitutionality of the issue, but this was not why he raised the question. The government <br /> has the constitutional right to do a lot of things, but Orange County does not necessarily do <br /> them. He said that he raised this because he did not realize that Orange County did not allow <br /> third-party representation in the employee disciplinary process, especially for people that may <br /> not have the skills to talk to authority figures. He said that, during the disciplinary conference, <br /> that both parties should have the right to have third-party representation. He said that he <br /> realizes that the County has the constitutional right to maintain the ordinance, but he cannot <br /> support going in that direction. He would like to change the ordinance. <br /> Commissioner Foushee agreed with Commissioner Carey, but her concerns also <br /> include the confidence of speech of an employee. She agrees with having a person to witness <br /> the meeting to ensure the process is done fairly. She does not know at which point she would <br /> suggest that an employee should have representation. She is also troubled that <br /> documentation of allegations or charges is not where it should be. <br /> Commissioner Nelson said that when this first came to the Board he thought that he <br /> would agree with Commissioner Carey, but he has talked with some human resources experts <br /> since about this and he is sympathetic to the notion that having attorneys can often complicate <br /> things, but he is also sympathetic to having a third party. He is sure that the staff is neutral, <br />