HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 05-06-2003 - 5bORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: May 6, 2003
Action Agenda
Item No. ,~-~,
SUBJECT: Drinking Water Week & OWASA Taste of Hope Program
DEPARTMENT: Board of County Commissioners PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
ATTACHMENT(S):
Proclamation
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Donna Baker, ext 2126
TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
Hillsborough 732-8181
Chapel Hill 968-4501
Durham 688-7331
Mebane 336-227-2031
PURPOSE: To proclaim May 4-10, 2003 as Drinking Water Week in Orange County and
encourage participation in the Orange Water and Sewer Authority's (OWASA) "Taste of Hope"
Customer Assistance Program.
BACKGROUND: Each year, OWASA sponsors public awareness events to inform citizens on
the importance of a safe drinking water supply. An important part of the OWASA program has
been the willingness of elected officials to sign a proclamation in support of Drinking Water
Week.
The proclamation also acknowledges the contributions of water and sewer utility employees.
from the Town of Hillsborough, Orange-Alamance water system, Graham-Mebane water system
and Orange County.
The proclamation also addresses OWASA's "Taste of Hope" Customer Assistance Program,
which allows customers to have their monthly bills automatically rounded up to the nearest
dollar as a donation to help families in need. The Inter-Faith Council for Social Service then
uses the "Taste of Hope" donations to temporarily help OWASA customers when they are
unable to pay their water/sewer bills.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board proclaim May 4-10, 2003
as Drinking Water Week in Orange County and authorize the Chair to sign the proclamation on
behalf of the Board.
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PROCLAMATION
DRINKING WATER WEEK
IN ORANGE COUNTY
WHEREAS, water is one of the few basic and essential needs of human-kind; and
WHEREAS, our health, comfort and standard of living depend upon an abundant supply of
safe water; and
WHEREAS, the Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA), Town of Hillsborough,
Orange-Alamance Water System, Graham-Mebane Water System and Orange
County have ensured that facilities and systems provide Orange County
citizens with a safe, dependable quality and quantity of water both now and in
the future; and
WHEREAS, the dedicated people serving the public at water and sewer utilities have made
significant contributions in developing, operating and maintaining these
systems; and
WHEREAS, through the Taste of Hope Customer Assistance Program, OWASA customers
can have their monthly bills automatically rounded up to the nearest dollar as a
donation to help families in need; and
WHEREAS, the Inter-Faith Council for Social Service uses Taste of Hope donations to
temporarily help OWASA customers when they are unable to pay their
water/sewer bills;
NOW, THEREFORE, the Orange County Board of Commissioners does hereby proclaim the
fourth through the tenth of May, two thousand and three as
DRINKING WATER WEEK
in Orange County and urges all citizens to recognize the contributions and
service of water and sewer utilities to our community.
AND FURTHER, the Board of Commissioners encourages OWASA customers to participate
as donors for pennies per month in the Taste of Hope program, and to contact
OWASA for information and to become Taste of Hope donors.
This the sixth day of May, 2003.
Margaret Brown, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners