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1 <br /> APPROVED 5/2/23 <br /> MINUTES <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> WORK SESSION <br /> March 14, 2023 <br /> 7:00 p.m. <br /> The Orange County Board of Commissioners met for a Work Session on Thursday, March 14, <br /> 2023 at 7:00 p.m. at the Whitted Human Services Center in Hillsborough, NC. <br /> COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Jamezetta Bedford, Vice-Chair Earl McKee <br /> (arrived 7:54 p.m.), and Commissioners Sally Greene, Phyllis Portie-Ascott, and Anna Richards <br /> COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Commissioners Amy Fowler and Jean Hamilton <br /> COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT: John Roberts <br /> COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Bonnie Hammersley and Clerk to the Board <br /> Laura Jensen. (All other staff members will be identified appropriately below) <br /> COUNTY STAFF ABSENT: <br /> Chair Bedford called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Commissioners Fowler, Hamilton, <br /> and Vice-Chair McKee were not present. Chair Bedford, Commissioners Greene, Portie-Ascott, <br /> and Richards were present. <br /> 1. Boards and Commissions —Annual Work Plan Summaries <br /> The Board provided feedback and direction on the second group of boards and commissions' <br /> annual work plan summaries with their Chairs or representatives in attendance. <br /> Patrick Burns, representing the ABC Board, said sales continue to be strong. He said it <br /> gives them opportunities to increase gifts to grantees, as well as increase the contribution to the <br /> county fund, and to pay down debt service earlier than expected. He said they were recertified <br /> as a living wage employer. He said they have increased entry pay to attract and hire more <br /> employees. He said the Mebane store will open early in April. He said they recently got a new <br /> board member and that was a welcome addition. <br /> Commissioner Richards asked about the ABC Board's grant process. She asked how <br /> they decide how much they will grant. <br /> Patrick Burns said that by statute, they are restricted by what they can give funding to. He <br /> said it is drug education or rehabilitation. He said they have an open process, and they can <br /> present it to the Board, and it will be considered. <br /> Commissioner Richards asked if the grantees report back to the board. <br /> Patrick Burns said they report mid-year how their programs are going, and what might be <br /> coming up in the future. He said they also consult with law enforcement. <br /> Commissioner Richards asked what the grant period is. <br /> Patrick Burns said they are on a fiscal year and organizations are expected to spend the <br /> funds within that fiscal year. <br /> Chair Bedford said it is nice to see the $200,000 increase since 2018. She said it even <br /> gets used for drug tests. <br /> Patrick Burns said that increased sales is a mixed blessing. He said that it increases <br /> revenue but that in turn means that consumption is increased. <br />