HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 06-26-1996 - VIII-D 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Action Agenda
Item No. =--b
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: June 26, 1996
SUBJECT: Approval to Purchase Property- OPC Mental Health
DEPARTMENT: County Manager's PUBLIC HEARING: YES: NO: X
BUDGET AMENDMENT: YES: NO: X
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Albert Kittrell
Extension 2300
TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
Hillsborough -732-8181
Chapel Hill -968-4501
Durham -688-7331
Mebane -227-2031
PURPOSE: To consider approving a request from Orange-Person-Chatham Mental Health to
purchase property.
BACKGROUND:
The"Horizons"Program at UNC has for several years provided treatment for substance abusing
pregnant women under a state grant that is administered by OPC. Horizons has identified the need
for a residential program, since separation of the women from the environment that has been
supporting substance abuse during pregnancy is considered critical. The public health implications
of preventing substance abuse during pregnancy are enormous.
The plan has been for Horizons to initiate a new private non-profit agency to hold title to the property
and operate the program. The agency has been set up,but for various reasons cannot hold property at
this time. Other options for holding title have been and are being explored,but OPC, at least for now,
is the only available choice. OPC will assume responsibility for seeing that the program is properly
licensed, staffed and managed and complies with all applicable laws and regulations.
OPC proposes to purchase several housing units on 42 acres in northern Chatham County for
$350,000. The property has been appraised for$386,000 and a down payment of$75,000 has been
secured.
2
Operations funding for the program has been obtained through the State of NC which is sufficient for
staffing, operating and debt service. The State has also found funding for the down payment on the
property. Fund reservations expire by October, so time is critical.
Commissioners from all three of OPC's counties must approve the purchase, under legislation passed
a few years ago. Prior to that time,property ownership by Area programs was not permitted. No
additional county funding is needed.
OPC's board has endorsed this program and the property purchase on condition that further data is
supplied concerning a financial risk assessment, zoning approvals, hazardous materials assessments,
etc. They understand that commissioners' approval is necessary. Also necessary is the approval of
the Local Government Commission.
RECOMMENDATION(S): Manager recommends that the Board approve the request from
Orange-Person-Chatham Mental Health to purchase 42 acres for the Horizons Substance Abuse
Program.