HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 01-30-2015 - AgendaOrange County Board of Commissioners
Location: Whitted Building, 300 West Tryon Street, Hillsborough, NC
Annual Retreat Annotated Agenda
January 30, 2015/9:00 a.m. — 4:00 p.m.
Breakfast at 8:30 a.m.
Meeting Obiectives
• To review progress on Orange County's goals and priorities.
• Relationship Building between Commissioners and Staff
• Discuss how Orange County should fund school and county capital projects.
• Initiate a discussion about BOCC Actions related to petitions, boards and commissions.
Time
Agenda Item
Activities
Notes
8:30 — 9:00
Welcome /Continental
Breakfast
9:00 - 9:15
Facilitator—
• Introductions of all guests present and the
Introductions /Ground
facilitator. (Not the Commissioners or staff)
Rules /Agenda Review
• Ground Rules /Group Agreements
• As a part of the agenda review, facilitator will
inform Commissioners that there may not be
adequate time to complete the agenda item
"Process for BOCC Actions." To ensure adequate
time for this item, the section of this item that is
incomplete will be addressed in a Board of
Commissioners' work session on Feb. loth.
9:15 —11:00
2015 Update to 2009 Goals
• The County Manager will provide an overview of
• Need updated Goal and Priorities
and Priorities
the progress for each of the goals and priorities.
document
She will introduce the Department Heads and call
on staff as needed during her presentation.
o Start with the financial report from Clarence
Grier
o A written document with the 2014 Goal and
Priorities Update will be provided.
11:00 —11:15
BREAK
11:15 —12:00
Team Building Exercises (DSI
1. Zach Ward will facilitate a relationship building
Comedy Club)
process with Commissioners and Department
Directors
2. Everyone in the audience is invited to observe
the team building process but they also have the
opportunity to leave until lunch is over and
return at 1:00.
12:00 —1:00
LUNCH
1:00 — 2:15
Bond Referendum
How SHOULD ORANGE COUNTY FUND SCHOOL AND COUNTY
CAPITAL PROJECTS?
The County Commissioners will explore a range of
questions to determine if these projects should be
funded within the existing tax rate versus
sponsoring a bond referendum. (See attached)
2:15 — 2:30
BREAK
2:30 — 3:00
Bond Referendum cont'd
3:00 — 3:45
Process for BOCC Actions
A) Petitions by the BOCC and Petitions by the
A. Background material will consist
Public (Review the existing process)
of abstracts when current
B) Boards and Commissions Discussion
processes were adopted
• Diverse pool of candidates — do we need to
B. Current Advisory Board Policy
use paid advertising?
will be provided as background
• Filling all positions- is this realistic?
material
• Do boards and commissions need to vet
applications prior to submission to BOCC?
• Service on multiple boards - -which currently
allows service up to two boards and task
forces?
• Process for nominations for applicants (who
are not recommended) at Board meetings?
3:45 — 4:00
Open Discussion /Wrap Up
The county manager will discuss how the BOCC
Retreat will inform the budget priorities.
C
Ground Rules /Group Agreements
1. Limit Electronic Device Use — to retreat agenda items. Focus on interacting
with each other rather than text, emails or social media.
2. Speak Your Truth— Speak from the "I" position, rather than detaching from
your perspective ( "you ") or universalizing your perspective ( "we ").
3. Accept other's truth — Which doesn't require your agreement but
acknowledges the fact that for people their perception is 100% of reality.
4. Lean into Discomfort and Lean into Each Other - By design, authentic
dialogue challenges participants. Discomfort signals that you are being
challenged and perhaps even growing from the experience. Support each other
to participate fully. Step up and practice asserting if you tend to be reserved or
quiet. Step back and practice listening if you tend to be talkative.
5. Expect and Be Willing to Accept Non closure - Embrace the process as the
task. While this process might be designed to resolve an immediate question, it
will raise far more questions than answers about the larger issues uncovered
through the dialogue. Engaging in the dialogue and process of working
together will reap far greater rewards than simply making a decision about
what "to do."
6. Speak one at a time /Listen for Understanding
7. Leave your Ego at the Door — Ego That part of us that continues to worry,
live in doubt, is afraid, judges people, is afraid to trust, needs proof, believes
only when it is convenient, fails to follow -up, refuses to practice what it
preaches, needs to be rescued, wants to be a victim, beats up on "self', needs to
be right all the time and continues to hold on to what does not work. Taken
from the Introduction of "One Day My Soul Just Opened Up: 40 Days & 40
Nights Towards Spiritual Strength & Personal Growth " by Iyanla
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
GOALS — 2015 UPDATE
FOR DISCUSSIONS PURPOSES
Goal One: Ensure a community network
of basic human services and
infrastructure that maintains, protects
and promotes the well -being of all County
residents.
Animal Services
• Maintains, protects and promotes the wellbeing
of all County Residents.
• Responsible for rabies control (public health),
dangerous animals (public safety), the
abatement of public nuisances adversely
affecting residents quality of life,
• As well as the protection of animals from
neglect and abuse (animal welfare).
Board of Elections
• Experienced, dedicated staff to assist residents
• Provide safe, convenient voting sites to all
residents
Tax Administration
• Manage EMS billing and collection. Through
that service, staff is able to work with residents
to setup amicable payment arrangements to
cover the services used.
• Staff also works closely with the Orange
County EMS staff for quality control as staff
members often work first hand with residents
that have received service from the County.
• Conducts community presentations and other
outreach initiatives to educate elderly, disabled
and low- income residents on tax relief
programs that may be available. Ensuring that
non - profits are accurately assessed by state
statutes also is in line with this initiative.
• Works with the Towns and Orange County
Finance in qualifying residents for assistance
with fees such as storm water and 3R.
• Orange County Community Land Trust (CLT)
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Animal Services
• Provide a public notice on each rabies
incident in cooperation with Public Health.
Board of Elections
• Established additional one -stop voting sites
with extended voting hours to enhance
accessibility
Tax Administration
• With the County's new Address Ordinance
that promotes identifiable and easy -to -read
signs for structures, the Tax Office is
working closely with volunteer fire
departments and EMS staff to promote and
implement this safety measure adopted by
the BOCC in 2011.
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
GOALS — 2015 UPDATE
FOR DISCUSSIONS PURPOSES
GOALS/PRIORITIES
ONGOING EFFORTS
SPECIFIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS
and the Tax Office work very closely in
assessing properties in accordance with the
CLT statute, 105- 277.17. These properties are
covered by local ordinances of Chapel Hill and
Carrboro for affordable housing, and the tax
office collaboratively works with stakeholders
to ensure these properties are assessed at the
low- income level as defined by statute.
Information Technologies
• Provide network, wireless, voice, application
and data services to all departmental customers.
Human Resources
Human Resources
• Facilitate a recruitment and selection process
• Evaluating the current compensation
that yields qualified employees to carry out the
polices /programs including pay structures;
duties and services in support of the above
performance based pay, internal and
referenced goal.
external equity and benefit programs.
• Ensure that workforce planning and
• Evaluating the effectiveness of the current
employment activities are compliant with
Work Planning and Performance Review
applicable federal and state laws and
System.
regulations and the Orange County Code of
Ordinances.
• Conduct job analyses to create and /or update
job descriptions and identify job competencies
as essential criteria for hiring, retaining and
promoting County employees.
• Develop, implement and evaluate recruitment,
hiring, orientation, succession planning,
retention and organizational exit programs
necessary to ensure a workforce's ability to
achieve Orange County's organizational goals
and objectives.
• Develop, implement and evaluate activities and
programs that address employee training and
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
GOALS — 2015 UPDATE
FOR DISCUSSIONS PURPOSES
GOALS/PRIORITIES
ONGOING EFFORTS
SPECIFIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS
development, talent acquisition and
performance management to ensure that the
knowledge, skills, abilities and performance of
the workforce meet current and future county
and individual needs.
• Ensure that compensation and benefits
programs are compliant with applicable federal
and state laws and regulations and the Orange
County Code of Ordinances.
• Establish, update and communicate workplace
policies and procedures including the Employee
Handbook.
Aging Services
• Developed the Stay Up and Active
• Objective 2.6: Protect and increase the
program with EMS. 1,000+ persons have
provision of meal assistance services in Orange
screened positive for falls through this
County.
program.
• Objective 2.7: Expand in -home and community
respite support services that enable Orange
County residents to age in place.
• Objective 2.8: Ensure that older adults in
Orange County are able to maintain, modify,
and afford their homes.
• Objective 3.2: Ensure that older adults and
their families can access appropriate care for
their health needs.
• Objective 3.4: Collaborate with faith -based
groups and other chaplaincy organizations to
provide for the psychological, emotional, and
spiritual needs of older adults.
• Objective 4.1: Collaborate with Orange County
Emergency Management Services (EMS) to
improve services for older residents in Orange
County.
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
GOALS — 2015 UPDATE
FOR DISCUSSIONS PURPOSES
GOALS/PRIORITIES
ONGOING EFFORTS
SPECIFIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• Objective 4.2: Improve the quality of programs
and services provided to residents of long -term
care facilities, nursing homes, assisted living
facilities, and family care homes in Orange
County.
• Strategy 4.3.2: Help older adults' access
needed social service programs.
• Objective 6.1: Promote aging preparedness so
that the Orange County community and its
residents may be better able to transition to
senior living.
• The Long Term Care (LTC) Learning
Collaborative was created with a focus on
implementing person centered care in our
LTC facilities.
• Seminars have been developed and offered
to LTC staff and administrators.
• Conducted a survey of LTC administrators
about the barriers and incentives for
implementing person- centered practices.
• The Long Term Care Quality Service
Awards were developed and were awarded
at a BOCC meeting.
• The Music in My Mind program is being
implemented in nine LTC facilities in our
county.
• Our DSS /Aging Social Workers are
available at both of the senior centers and
we pride ourselves in being the "One Stop
Shop" for aging services in the county.
• The county's Veteran Affairs Officer is
now offering regular office hours at both of
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
GOALS — 2015 UPDATE
FOR DISCUSSIONS PURPOSES
Social Services
Provide basic necessities to eligible families
through Food and Nutrition Services, Work
First cash assistance, Medicaid and Health
Choice medical coverage, energy payments and
emergency assistance.
Provide employment and training services to
both agency clients and the general public. The
job fairs, Skills Development Center and the job
club at Social Services are available to anyone
seeking employment.
Additionally the agency continues to run the
Work First employment program and two new
programs supported through grant and state
funds, the Food and Nutrition Services
employment program and the Workforce
Investment Act (WIA) youth employment
program.
Social Services developed a coordinated child
care subsidy program by integrating Smart
Start, federal funds provided through the state,
and county funds to provide services to
children. Staff worked with county officials to
address issues related to child care funding and
the needs of low- income families.
• The agency continued to protect vulnerable
the Centers.
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Aging In Community series that attendees
have begun to think about how and where
they want to age.
The Aging Board is discussing how we
might do a formal community media
camnaian to address
Social Services
Agency staff took and processed large
numbers of applications for the Affordable
Care Act. Many of these applications were
denied due to the federal requirement that
persons be determined ineligible for
Medicaid or Health Choice before they
could be approved for coverage under the
Affordable Care Act, and therefore are not
reflected in caseload increases.
• The number of participants in most benefit
programs has increased significantly since
FY2008 -2009. From December 2008 to
December 2014 the number of people
receiving Food and Nutrition Services
benefits in Orange County has increased by
nearly 66% to a current high of 12,048
recipients.
The number of Medicaid recipients during
that time frame has increased by
approximately 26% to 13,575 recipients.
Over the last two years the agency has
migrated to the state's new case
management system for most public
assistance programs, NC FAST. This
continues to present challenges but
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
GOALS — 2015 UPDATE
FOR DISCUSSIONS PURPOSES
GOALS/PRIORITIES
ONGOING EFFORTS
SPECIFIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS
children and adults from abuse and neglect and
staff has worked hard to minimally impact
assisted them to live safely in family settings
clients during this transition.
when possible.
• In 2013 staff managed the provision of
• Staff provides access to other services such as
services to persons impacted by flooding in
foster care, group care or in -home aide services.
the southern part of the county. This
• Social Services has developed and enhanced
involved providing emergency support
partnerships to support innovative
immediately after the flood and assisting
programming; staff work with the Second
with long term needs for housing and
Family Foundation to support older youth in
social work services. The agency was the
foster care and with the Orange County
fiscal agent for funds provided by the state.
Partnership for Young Children on prevention
• A series of job fairs resulted in
of child abuse and neglect through intervention
employment opportunities for more than
with at -risk families.
600 people.
• After a legal change several years ago, the
• When the state provided additional funding
Social Services Director became the only
after the recession occurred, Social
available public guardian.
Services operated a very effective
• Cases from other agencies such as mental
subsidized employment program until
health were transferred to DSS and those
those funds ended. All of these
individuals are now being served by agency
employment programs are now coordinated
staff. Any new cases requiring guardianship are
which allows for sharing of resources and
now the responsibility of DSS.
more effective programming.
• Provides preventive services for high -risk
• Until the recent funding change, the agency
families and individuals (homelessness
provided social work services in the
prevention, school social work, adolescent
Orange County schools.
parenting).
• DSS was chosen to administer $1 million
• The Adolescent Parenting Program continues to
over three years to prevent homelessness
operate in each school system and helped
and to rehouse those who were homeless.
approximately forty teens per year to stay in
Although those funds have now ended, the
school and delay additional pregnancies.
agency continues to administer the
• The agency administers federal and county
Emergency Solutions Grant for rapid
funds to alleviate crises for all low income
rehousing, although this is a much smaller
populations. These funds are mostly used for
amount of funding.
utilities and rent to prevent homelessness and to
• Management at the agency reworked the
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
GOALS — 2015 UPDATE
FOR DISCUSSIONS PURPOSES
assure safety for vulnerable families.
• Social Services continues to partner with other
agencies to provide more effective and
comprehensive services including outreach
workers located at senior centers and staff at
UNC hospital. The agency provides office
space to non -profit organizations serving the
same clients in an effort to provide a one -stop
location for services.
Pnnhlir Rf -nith
Infrastructure:
• On -site comprehensive medical and dental
services
• Home -based services for communicable
disease, family support and environmental
assessment
• Community partnerships to provide
environmental and policy changes to improve
the community's health
Cnlid Waste
m
Veterans Service Officer position to now
include social work services if needed and
provided services at several locations in the
county to support county veterans and their
families.
Pnhlir M-n1th
• Health Department has been accredited for
the last 7 years, one of the first in the state.
• Increase in all of our services and programs
provided.
• Increase in county funds a percent of our
total Health Department budget
• Increase in the percent of "zero -pay"
individuals in our clinics and a decrease in
the percent of patients with insurance.
• Significant increase the percent of bi-
lingual staff, now 25% of HD staff are bi-
lingual.
Cnlirl Waste
Provide hazardous household waste drop -off •
locations for county residents
Established and maintains emergency storm
debris management sites to be used for all
debris generated within the county from severe
weather events.
Established second hazardous household
waste drop -off location at modernized
Walnut Grove Church Road Solid Waste
Convenience Center to enable northern
County residents to more conveniently
dispose hazardous household wastes for
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
GOALS — 2015 UPDATE
FOR DISCUSSIONS PURPOSES
Emergency Services
• Provides prompt competent response to medical
and traumatic emergencies for all County
Residents and visitors, and supports public
safety responders during significant incidents.
• The Fire Marshal Division promotes the
wellbeing of all county residents by preserving
life, property, and environmental resources
through education, prevention, investigation
and fire code enforcement.
• The 9 -1 -1 Communications Division provides
the vital link between our community and all
emergency service /public safety personnel by
receiving and dispatching calls for service.
• The Emergency Management Division
coordinates with partner agencies to ensure that
Orange County is prepared to respond to and
recover from all natural, technological, and
man -made emergencies in order to reduce the
loss of life and property through an all- hazards
emergency management program of prevention,
mitigation, preparedness, response, and
recovery throughout Orange County.
Priority 4: Review services to identify and North Carolina State Cooperative Extension
protect `safety net' programs and services. • Expanded Food and Nutrition Education
m
safer homes and less toxic landfills.
• Coordinated emergency storm debris
management planning and operations with
Towns and NC -DOT.
Emergency Services
• EMS Division worked with the Orange
County Health Department and two
Municipal Police Departments to initiate
the Police Naloxone Initiative to combat
increasing numbers of narcotic overdoses
in Orange County.
• EMS and Health will be teaming up again
in 2015 to expand the program to the
Sheriffs Department and the Town of
Hillsborough.
North Carolina State Cooperative Extension
• In 2014, over 4,772 youth and adults were
engaged in this program.
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
GOALS — 2015 UPDATE
FOR DISCUSSIONS PURPOSES
12
GOALS/PRIORITIES
ONGOING EFFORTS
SPECIFIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• EFNEP continues to provide Nutrition
• The impacts of EFNEP programs resulted iii
Education training to Spanish and English
o 80% of participants eating a variety of
Speaking families through the Expanded Food
o 88% have increased knowledge of the
and Nutrition Education Program.
essentials of nutrition,
o 91% increased their ability to select to
cost, nutritious foods,
o 35% improved practices in food prepa
and safety.
• CES staff performed 307 teaching visits
with Orange County Work First and Head
Start /Early Head Start Program.
• Fairview Community Garden — CES has
trained 60 Extension Master Gardener
Volunteers who in turn have assisted in the
development of the Fairview Community
garden and provided 6,000 consultations
annually with county residents providing
them with home gardening information.
• Master Gardeners provide 2,800 hours of
service annually assisting in the delivery of
information on composting, soil testing,
plant identification and pest management.
• Over the last several years Master
Gardeners in Orange County have
developed four additional gardens; the
Bynum Garden, Friends of CORA
(Chatham Outreach Alliance), Carolina
Campus Community Garden and the Gold
Park Pollinator Garden in Hillsborough.
• Carolina Campus Community Garden is
run by the North Carolina Botanical
Gardens, supported by Orange County
Master Gardeners and serves the
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
GOALS — 2015 UPDATE
FOR DISCUSSIONS PURPOSES
13
GOALS/PRIORITIES
ONGOING EFFORTS
SPECIFIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS
housekeeping community at UNC Chapel
Hill.
• The Pollinator Garden has more of an
environmental focus demonstrating the
importance of plant diversity.
Department of Environmental, Agricultural, Parks,
Department of Environmental, Agricultural,
and Recreation (DEAPR)
Parks, and Recreation (DEAPR)
• Continue to offer reduced participant rates for
• Worked with community organizers to help
County recreation and athletic programs for
facilitate Fairview Live community fair,
economically- disadvantaged children /youth
and coordinate BOCC - approved funding
(receiving free /reduced lunch through the
for community "recreation advocate" to
schools, and DSS clients as referred).
help provide recreation equipment and
opportunities at Fairview Park in summers
of 2013 and 2014.
Priority 5: Encourage for profit investments
Aging Services
Aging Services
in affordable housing and review available
. In spring 2014 Aging Services hosted a
• Developed a report on "Senior Housing in
tools.
Developers' Breakfast to begin discussions of
Orange County: Bridging the Gap between
how to work together to ensure that older
Current and Future Senior Housing."
adults' housing needs will be met in the future.
Planning Department
Planning Department
• Planning staff has been working with
• UDO amendments pertaining to
Department of Aging staff to better identify
"temporary healthcare structures" are
senior housing needs and potential solutions.
scheduled for the February 19, 2015
quarterly public hearing.
Goal Two: Promote an interactive and
Animal Services
transparent system of governance that
. Promotes an interactive and transparent system
reflects community values.
of governance that reflects community values.
• Staff works closely with the Animal Services
Advisory Board to provide a venue for
stakeholders to voice their concerns.
• Staff reports out on a regular basis on major
services; coordinates with Public Affairs to
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
GOALS — 2015 UPDATE
FOR DISCUSSIONS PURPOSES
M1
GOALS/PRIORITIES
ONGOING EFFORTS
SPECIFIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS
communicate on an ongoing basis about not
only operations but programs and events and
policy considerations; and maintains a strong
internet presence.
Board of Elections
Board of Elections
• Maintain good working relationship with
• Established Multi- Partisan teams to assist
municipalities to ensure elections are conducted
voters in assisted living facilities
professionally and efficiently
• Voter Outreach position filled to support
• Provide accurate election information to
public dissemination of various election
residents
law changes, assistance in obtaining proper
• Maintain open door policy to meetings and
IDs and develop student precinct assistants
election procedures
program
Tax Administration
Tax Administration
• Promote an interactive and transparent system
• Twitter account has been created to
of governance that reflects community values.
promote an efficient, effective and
• The Citizen Revaluation programs will an
transparent communication medium with
opportunity to educate, and involve county
the public and stakeholders.
residents in the process.
• Enhanced contact information uploaded to
website, including an email address
whereby the public may contact all tax
office managers at once for prompt,
courteous service.A
• Live chat has been implemented to
enhance the work environment, improve
public relations and improve the
effectiveness of our public interactions
• Staff also is working toward the
development of a Citizen Revaluation
Officer program to create buy -in from the
public for the 2017 countywide
revaluation.
Aging Services
Aging Services
• Objective 5.2: Encourage the participation of
• Over 350 persons annually have attended
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
GOALS — 2015 UPDATE
FOR DISCUSSIONS PURPOSES
15
GOALS/PRIORITIES
ONGOING EFFORTS
SPECIFIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS
older adults and their advocates in housing and
our Aging in Community series for the past
transportation planning efforts in Orange
two years.
County.
• Hosted a Developers' Breakfast to begin a
conversation with older adults,
builders /developers and key government
staff on types of senior housing needed in
our community.
• Four public hearings were held to discuss
bus expansion in the rural areas.
• A transportation seminar was offered
specifically to Chinese - speaking seniors.
• Aging Board are representatives to the
OUT Board and the Housing Board.
Emergency Services
Emergency Services
• Committed to maintaining excellent working
• In 2014, established a database for public
relationships with our partner
inquiries /concerns to ensure prompt,
• Host and attend regularly scheduled meetings
appropriate, and consistent response.
and planning sessions with our County, Town,
• In 2015, work on website improvements to
University, and Resident stakeholders.
include training information, preparedness
information, access information, and
recruitment information.
Planning Department /OPT
• Coordinates with Triangle Transit to provide
annual reports to the BOCC on Bus and Rail
Investment Plan Implementation, use of sales
tax funds, and financial or service changes to
the Plan.
Planning Department
Planning Department
• The Department regularly holds `open house'
• Recent amendments to the Unified
meetings to review development proposals,
Development Ordinance (UDO) now
ordinance amendments, small area plan
require neighborhood information meetings
development, etc.
be held 45 days before a public hearing to
review a Special Use Permit application.
Priority 6: Develop plan
improve how County
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
GOALS — 2015 UPDATE
FOR DISCUSSIONS PURPOSES
Staff holds community meetings with local
property owners to address development /land
use concerns. Most recently staff has held
meetings with interested property owners to
address concerns related to the discharge of fire
arms and enforcement of impervious surface
limitations.
Department of Environmental, Agricultural, Parks,
and Recreation (DEAPR)
• Use social media and electronic
communications to advise of upcoming events
and solicit interactive thoughts about new
programs, activities.
and tools to I Animal Services
and citizens I •
communicate with each other; foster two -
way exchange
Staff works closely with the Animal Services
Advisory Board to receive process and respond
to resident concerns in coordination with the
Board of County Commissioners.
W
The purpose of the meeting is to allow
adjacent property owners to not only learn
about the project but to also learn about the
process associated with its review.
Department of Environmental, Agricultural,
Parks, and Recreation (DEAPR)
• Used a variety of outreach techniques to
solicit resident input into the new Parks
and Recreation Master Plan 2030,
including focus groups, youth surveys,
random - sample surveys, online surveys,
targeted minority group outreach, open
houses and "road show" tables set up
outside of popular local destinations.
• The County, towns and both school
systems adopted in 2014 a Community Use
of School Facilities for Recreation
resolution committing to work more
closely to meet community recreation
needs through the use of school facilities
(when not in use by the schools). This led
to revisions to schools facility use
agreements that should enable more usage
local recreation
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
GOALS — 2015 UPDATE
FOR DISCUSSIONS PURPOSES
17
GOALS/PRIORITIES
ONGOING EFFORTS
SPECIFIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS
concerns in its own right (e.g., concern about
contact with coyotes throughout the county) and
uses Facebook and the department's webpage to
routinely report on service delivery in all areas
of operations.
Public Health
Public Health
• Annual surveys of staff and client satisfaction
• Active social media presence with 892
• Regularly solicit input from the community
followers on Twitter and nearly 400
through a variety of methods such as surveys,
followers on Facebook.
public forums, live tweets, email, in person
• Live tweeting from Board of Health
interviews and hotlines, etc.
meetings
• Regularly update website(s) to reflect most up
to date and relevant services and public health
news
Solid Waste Management
Solid Waste Mana eg ment
• Promote and foster two -way communication
• Monthly call -in radio show on WCOM
with Towns and residents
103.5 FM
• Ongoing: public and school presentations,
• Daily responses to incoming emails on
landfill tours, compost workshops, work with
`public email' (average about 10 per week)
UNC students through Institute for
• Monthly e- newsletter now reaches over
Environment capstone projects, monthly
6,000 subscribers or the equivalent of over
newspaper articles on solid waste, presence at
10% of County residences. Facebook page
large public events to provide recycling and
established. Solid Waste Advisory Group
info table brings dialogue and questions, public
formed in 2014
input sessions for triennial solid waste plan
• New County Public Information Officer
• Multi jurisdictional Solid Waste Advisory
and Solid Waste Staff collaborating on
Board provided public forum for citizens input
various opportunities to improve
until June 2013;
communication and information
dissemination
• Lectures and Tours for visiting
international groups including Kosovo,
China and Kazakhstan
Information Technology
Information Technology
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
GOALS — 2015 UPDATE
FOR DISCUSSIONS PURPOSES
• Continue to offer BOCC meeting support,
email, website and VolP support
• Provide departmental customers robust
transparency in interaction with their customers,
e.g., website, social media and online
application development
Emergency Services
• OC Alerts enables us to share information with
our residents, including our Community
Emergency Response Teams (CERT).
• Regularly engaging our residents and workers
utilizing social media for two way
communication, especially during severe
weather events.
• Improvements to the department website will
offer helpful information and EMS continues to
respond to citizen email and telephone
Aging Services
• Objective 1.L: Increase the accessibility of
information about resources, programs and
services for older adults in Orange County.
im
• Application development that enhances
customer service and transparency, e.g.,
central permitting.
Emergency Services
• Implemented OC Alerts in collaboration
with OWASA, and the Towns of Chapel
Hill and Carrboro.
• Working closely with UNC Hospitals,
Department on Aging, and other
community partners to establish a Fall
Prevention Advisory Board that will
incorporate citizen participation.
Aging Services
• Project EngAGE was launched as a
grassroots effort to develop senior leaders
throughout the county to provide
information resource persons for their
communities. 25 persons have completed
the 13 week training and are now being
organized in to Resource Teams that are
project focused.
• Redesigned the website to be more senior
friendly and launched a Facebook site.
• Dedicated outreach efforts to the Chinese,
Latino, and LGBT communities.
• Opened dialogue with the UNC Health
Network to find ways to disseminate
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
GOALS — 2015 UPDATE
FOR DISCUSSIONS PURPOSES
Human Resources
• Develop and maintain a diverse workforce that
exemplifies a commitment to EEO policies and
to ensure compliance with our affirmative
action policy, which is to promote equal access
to employment by protected groups and to
continually evaluate our recruiting practices for
potential adverse impact.
• Continue to evaluate employee benefits and
services to ensure all are compliant with
applicable federal and state laws and
regulations and the Orange County Code of
Ordinances.
• Solicit employee feedback on health insurance
programs to ensure the appropriate balance of
the needs of employees and fiscal
m
information about services to Orange
County patients.
• Implemented a bi- annual satisfaction
survey to communicate with the public.
• Routine program evaluations; installed
suggestion boxes at the senior centers; and
each senior center has a program advisory
committee.
• Participate in community events, including
health fairs, information type events and
staff are invited to speak at local civic
groups and faith organizations.
• Hosted groups from England, Japan, and
Brazil interesting in learning about best
practices in community aging services.
• Host a weekly television show called "In
Praise of Age."
Human Resources
• Administer an online hiring process that
provides timely updates to applicants and
to ensure equal access to employment by
all prospective applicants.
• Create an internal Health Advisory
Committee to promote employee
participation in evaluation and selection.
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
GOALS — 2015 UPDATE
FOR DISCUSSIONS PURPOSES
20
GOALS/PRIORITIES
ONGOING EFFORTS
SPECIFIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS
responsibility.
Planning and Inspections
Planning and Inspections
• Orange County Building Inspections partnering
• Our Chief Inspector gave presentation to
with the Home Builders Association of
an Interior Design Class at Cedar Ridge
Durham, Orange, and Chatham (HBDOC)
High School talking about the minimum
initiated the Code Officials & Builders Alliance
standards for housing, zoning, and building
League of the Triangle (COBALT), a quarterly
codes as well as the different types of
meeting of building officials and builders from
construction types.
five jurisdictions, that include Durham County,
• OC Building Official is serving a one year
Chatham County, Orange County, Chapel Hill,
term as an ex officio member of the Board
and Carrboro with the purpose of sharing
of Directors of the Home Builders
resources and best practices in an effort to
Association of Orange, Durham, and
establish and maintain regional consistency as it
Chatham counties to promote partnerships
relates to residential construction.
within the building community.
• Initiated the "Ask an Inspector" web link
that allows citizens to email questions
directly to the Orange County Building
Official and expect an answer within five
working days but typically within two
working days on any building code issue.
Questions not associated to building code
topics are forwarded to internal or external
resources as appropriate.
• When permits are approved systems
automatically send an email notification.
Additionally, all inspection results, with
detail, are emailed to permit applicant and
contractor automatically on a daily basis.
Planning Department
Planning Department
• Promote and foster positive communication
• Staff has created several brochures
with customers to increase education on
outlining our planning process including,
processes.
but not limited to:
o How to apply for a minor
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
GOALS — 2015 UPDATE
FOR DISCUSSIONS PURPOSES
21
GOALS/PRIORITIES
ONGOING EFFORTS
SPECIFIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS
subdivision,
• How our Special Use permit
process works,
• How to obtain a zoning compliance
permit,
• Importance of our flood damage
prevention ordinance program.
• Implemented a current projects section on
the Department webpage providing updates
on major projects that have been submitted
for review (i.e. Major Subdivisions,
Special Use Permits, Ordinance
amendments, etc.) including the projects
status.
Department of Environmental, Agricultural, Parks,
Department of Environmental, Agricultural,
and Recreation (DEAPR)
Parks, and Recreation (DEAPR)
• Continue to explore opportunities to improve
• Implemented departmental
communication on programs, outreach and
Communications Plan for outreach,
educational initiatives.
communicating programs, events and
educational initiatives, and soliciting
feedback from the public.
Priory 7: Improve intra- and
Animal Services
Animal Services
intergovernmental coordination, cooperation
. Delivers animal control services to
• Coordinated effort with town staff to
and collaboration. (a) Work with Town of
Hillsborough, Chapel Hill, and Carrboro
develop a unified (but not uniform) animal
Hillsborough on Joint land use planning
through agreements with each municipality.
control ordinance for the entire county
approaches, policies /ordinances, and
annexation, and Economic Development
. Works closely with the police departments in
each municipality to address community
including the municipalities.
Districts. (b) Work with City of Durham on
concerns, e.g., the presence and increasing
Economic Development Districts.
contact of residents with coyotes.
Solid Waste Management
Solid Waste Management
• Periodic staff level discussions with adjacent
• Provided emergency storm debris disposal
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
GOALS — 2015 UPDATE
FOR DISCUSSIONS PURPOSES
22
GOALS/PRIORITIES
ONGOING EFFORTS
SPECIFIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS
counties regarding solid waste planning,
management site and coordinated 2014 Ice
operational and legislative issues
Storm debris collection and vegetative
• Recycling programs are county -wide regardless
debris management with Hillsborough and
of jurisdiction; high level of staff cooperation
NC -DOT.
on program operations, bin distribution, public
• Converted urban curbside recycling from
alerts for recycling day changes, complaint
bins to roll carts in the three towns and
resolution and provision of
assist Towns with gaining over $200,000 in
information /outreach, etc.
state grants to support purchase of new
carts. Increased tonnage by 22 %.
• Conducted door -to -door outreach at over
500 units in student oriented
neighborhoods of Chapel Hill to improve
understanding of recycling and residential
waste management in cooperation with
Town of Chapel Hill Solid Waste
Management Department.
• Conducted door -to -door downtown Chapel
Hill business outreach and education in
conjunction with Chapel Hill storm water
and litter control efforts and general
individual commercial recycling program
site visits to improve and upgrade
commercial recycling program
performance and information.
• Enhanced coordination with Chapel Hill
Carrboro City Schools new sustainability
manager to increase schools food waste
diversion to composting and provide over
100 repurposed curbside bins for classroom
recycling from roll cart conversion
program.
• Establishment of multi jurisdictional Solid
Waste Advisory Group (SWAG) to create
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
GOALS — 2015 UPDATE
FOR DISCUSSIONS PURPOSES
23
GOALS/PRIORITIES
ONGOING EFFORTS
SPECIFIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS
new inter -local agreement on recycling
funding and other solid waste management;
includes UNC -CH and UNC- Healthcare
• Cooperated closely with Chapel Hill in
revised development review process in
newly reorganized Planning and
Sustainability Department
• Implemented roll carts urban recycling
collection that are serviced by fully
automated collection vehicles; carts
contain RFID chips to assist in gathering
inventory and program performance data
that is shared with Towns.
• Emergency Storm Debris Management
Planning with Towns and DOT
• Post local landfill planning with Towns
and City of Durham, including execution a
waste transfer station use agreement
• Local event participation and providing
recycling services for Hog Day, and
Festifall
• Programs /services periodically coordinated
with UNC Office of Waste Reduction and
Recycling
• Solid Waste Department and UNC Energy
Services Department work closely together
with regard to Landfill Gas Recovery
Proj ect
• Inter -local Agreement for Solid Waste that
expired in 2013 integrated various aspects
of solid waste and recycling
services /programs.
Information Technology
Information Technology
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
GOALS — 2015 UPDATE
FOR DISCUSSIONS PURPOSES
24
GOALS/PRIORITIES
ONGOING EFFORTS
SPECIFIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• Continue to support the delivery of permitting
• Expanding the public wireless Internet
and law enforcement reporting software to the
footprint in key areas throughout the Town
Town of Hillsborough via the Permits Plus
of Hillsborough and has worked with their
program and Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD)
Board gaining approval for said expansion.
reporting software.
Emergency Services
Emergency Services
Emergency Services
• Continue to partner with multiple fire
• As of January 2015 over thirty citizens
departments across Orange County and the
have received fall prevention services from
Towns to co- locate our ambulances and crews.
the coordinated effort of EMS and Aging
• The EMS division continues to work with the
departments.
Department on Aging on the Stay Up Stay
• Expansion of the fall prevention program
Active program to provide fall prevention
in 2015 is planned to increase the number
services to citizens.
of citizens who will receive the vital
services.
Department of Environmental, Agricultural, Parks,
Department of Environmental, Agricultural,
and Recreation
Parks, and Recreation
• DEAPR and the Orange County Historic
• Orange County and the Town of
Preservation Commission (HPC) continue to
Hillsborough signed a 2014 Memorandum
work with the Town of Hillsborough Historic
of Agreement for the preservation of
District Commission (HDC) on the designation
cultural resources on public lands within
of historic landmarks located in the Town's ETJ
Hillsborough town limits.
but outside of the Town's designated Historic
• Orange County worked with the Town of
District.
Hillsborough to incorporate the Town's
River Walk project and signage /emergency
markers through the County River Park.
Planning & Inspections /OPT
Planning g & Inspections /OPT
• In accordance with the Joint Planning Land Use
• Hillsborough - An Inter -local Agreement
Plan and Agreement, Joint Planning Area (JPA)
with the Town of Hillsborough was signed
coordination and courtesy review with the
in December 2009 and amended in May
Towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro is on- going.
2014 to end the Town's Extraterritorial
Jurisdiction (ETJ) expansion process and
proceed with ETJ relinquishment which
has been completed. A Joint Land Use
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
GOALS — 2015 UPDATE
FOR DISCUSSIONS PURPOSES
25
GOALS/PRIORITIES
ONGOING EFFORTS
SPECIFIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Plan with the Town was completed March
2013. Additionally, an Inter -local
Agreement for Plans Review, Permitting,
Inspections and related Services between
Orange County and Town of Hillsborough
was signed in January 2011.
• Durham - An Inter -local Agreement with
the City of Durham regarding water and
sewer services was approved by Orange
County on September 20, 2011 and by the
City of Durham in early 2012. Future
Land Use Map changes and zoning
changes in the Eno EDD area were adopted
by the BOCC in September 2012. The Eno
EDD Access Management Plan was
adopted November 2013. Water and
Sewer Agreement amendment occurred in
December 2014.
• Mebane - A modification to the City of
Mebane Utility Service Agreement was
brought before the BOCC in June 2012
which expanded the area Mebane agreed to
serve with water and sewer service to
include the Efland Sewer System service
area and additional areas to be served by a
pending water and sewer expansion into
the Buckhorn EDD area. Orange County
has completed over $4 million of
infrastructure and transferred to Mebane
including the backbone system that serves
Morinaga. Presently, consultants are being
utilized to conduct environmental analysis
and fine tune transportation plans in the
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
GOALS — 2015 UPDATE
FOR DISCUSSIONS PURPOSES
26
GOALS/PRIORITIES
ONGOING EFFORTS
SPECIFIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Efland- Buckhorn- Mebane access
management planning area.
Planning and Inspections
• Worked with Orange County Attorney's
Office and the Town of Chapel Hill to
create a Mutual Aid Agreement, where in
the case of an emergency or other
extenuating circumstances Orange County
Inspections will off assistance with
manpower, supplies, or equipment so
Chapel Hill Inspections can continue
operations. This agreement similarly
allows the Town of Chapel Hill Inspections
staff to assist Orange County if the need is
required.
• Assisted the Town of Chapel Hill during
the summer and fall of 2014 with
residential and commercial plans review as
Chapel Hill was experiencing an
unexpected reduction of staff. Orange
County Inspections completed
approximately fifty residential reviews and
forty commercial plan reviews constituting
several hundred employee hours.
Planning Department
• Planning staff is working with Emergency
Services on the location /development of
telecommunication facilities to expand and
augment our emergency communications
network.
• Coordinating the development of a regional
water impoundment policy for eventual review
by the elected officials concerning provision of
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
GOALS — 2015 UPDATE
FOR DISCUSSIONS PURPOSES
Priority 8: Examine advisory boards and
commissions to: (a) Ensure they are meeting
their missions; (b) Determine how boards
relate to each other and how their work can
best be integrated with the BOCC; (c)
Ensure sustainability goals; (d) Ensure fit
with overall County vision; and (e)
Recognize (and be sensitive to)
consistencies represented by boards,
commissions when framing this review
water supplies (i.e. ponds) to aid firefighting
capabilities.
• Planning staff is holding meetings with the
County Attorney's office and the Sheriff to
review /discuss issues associated with the
discharge of firearms within the County
• Staff provides support to the Library Director
with respect to the potential citing of new
library services including working on the
Southern Branch of the County library project.
This support has includes creation of numerous
maps and mapping data, attendance at various
meetings, preparation of development
applications for the project ultimately reviewed
and acted upon by the Town of Carrboro,
assisting with the creation of a development
agreement for the project, and providing
periodic updates to local elected officials on the
merits of the project.
Animal Services
• Advisory Board (ASAB) has worked closely
with staff and the County Commissioners
within the context of the new framework for
boards and commissions in Orange County
governance.
• ASAB serves as a sounding board for residents
and stakeholders regarding various issues and
concerns;
• Relates to the Health Board through a joint
appointment; and coordinates with other boards
such as the Agricultural Preservation Board as
needed as well as with the Board of County
Commissioners.
27
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
GOALS — 2015 UPDATE
FOR DISCUSSIONS PURPOSES
W
GOALS/PRIORITIES
ONGOING EFFORTS
SPECIFIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• The ASAB fulfills its role in orienting new
board members and it has also become self -
supporting in many respects.
Public Health
• Board of Health and BOCC meet jointly on
an annual basis
• Boards of Health members are active on
other boards such as the OUT Board, the
Family Success Alliance Council and
Animal Services Board.
Solid Waste Management
Solid Waste Management
• Solid Waste Advisory Board dissolved as part
• Solid Waste Advisory Group (SWAG)
of dissolution of former Inter -local Agreement
created to consider inter -local agreement
on Solid.
for solid waste between three Towns,
• Composition and role new successor advisory
UNC -CH, UNC- Healthcare and County.
board will be pending SWAG decisions on
solid waste and recycling funding mechanism.
Information Technology
Information Technology
• The Information Technologies Governance
• The public advisory board for Information
Council offers upper management level project
Technologies was disbanded prior to 2013.
oversight and guidance though monthly
• The 2012 Information Technology
meetings. The members include the following
Strategic Plan recommendations included
department heads and elected officials:
an internal governance board.
• The IT Governance Council has been
active since January 2013.
Economic Development
Economic Development
• The Orange County Economic Development
• During 2014, the advisory board formed
Advisory Board, was inactive for 2 years, was
several subcommittees to draft a
reactivated in October 2012, with 10 members.
recommended set of Applications,
• The advisory board members represent a variety
Guidelines and Procedures regarding how
of relevant economic development skills and
to administer the (1) Agriculture
expertise in the areas of business, agriculture,
Investment Grant, and (2) Business
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
GOALS — 2015 UPDATE
FOR DISCUSSIONS PURPOSES
29
GOALS/PRIORITIES
ONGOING EFFORTS
SPECIFIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS
non - profits, entrepreneurial start -ups, UNC, and
Investment Grant programs which are
the arts /tourism sectors.
funded by Article 46's quarter cent sales
tax to support economic development.
• This information will be presented to the
BOCC in a work session on 1/27/15, with a
goal to receive the BOCC's comments and
approval for the two grant programs to
become operational and financially support
Orange County's small businesses and
agricultural ventures.
• The Orange County Economic
Development Advisory Board has offered
to manage the grant programs, receive and
review applications, and make grant award
decisions, subject to BOCC approval.
Aging Services
• The Advisory Board on Aging provides the
BOCC monthly meeting agendas, minutes and
MAP quarterly status reports.
• The Aging Board members also serve on the
Housing and Transportation Boards, as well as
serving on several non - profit boards that offer
aging related services.
Planning /OPT
• Beginning in 2015, increased Orange Unified
Transportation Board (OUTBoard) role in
planning for public transit (consistent with
previous BOCC action consolidating the former
Transportation Services Advisory Board) to
meet legal requirements as a recipient of
Federal Section 5311 funds.
• In collaboration with other County departments
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
GOALS — 2015 UPDATE
FOR DISCUSSIONS PURPOSES
30
GOALS/PRIORITIES
ONGOING EFFORTS
SPECIFIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS
(i.e. Aging, DSS, Library, Health, Child
Support Enforcement, and Housing),
OUTBoard to include Transportation
Services /Orange Public Transit (OPT) on its
agenda quarterly. Departments mentioned have
been asked to provide supplemental staff
representation at OUTBoard meetings when
transit is to be discussed.
• In December 2014, the Planning Director
conveyed this heightened approach to transit
planning to the OUTBoard and communicated
how staff support of OUTBoard meetings
would be met in the upcoming year.
• The Planning Director has begun a series of
orientation meetings with BOCC appointments
to municipal planning boards.
Department of Environmental, Agricultural, Parks,
and Recreation (DEAPR)
• Commission for the Environment held joint
meeting with the Board of Commissioners in
fall 2014.
• Chairs and vice - chairs from the DEAPR- staffed
boards (Commission for Environment,
Agricultural Preservation Board, Historic
Preservation Commission and Parks and
Recreation Council) met annually in most years
2009 -15 with staff to discuss matters of mutual
interest such as sustainability, coordinate on
certain projects, or share information about
activities. One joint meeting of all the above
boards was held in 2010.
Priority 26: Clarify and communicate to
Aging Services
Aging Services
public how and why County budget funding
• Allocation of County funds is shared with
• County budgeting is one of the areas
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
GOALS — 2015 UPDATE
FOR DISCUSSIONS PURPOSES
31
GOALS/PRIORITIES
ONGOING EFFORTS
SPECIFIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS
is allocated.
residents that participate in the Aging Services
included in the Project EngAGE leadership
programs.
training.
Solid Waste Management
Solid Waste Mana_eg ment
• Implementing a public process to evaluate
• Annual newsletter in 2013 described in
alternative recycling and convenience center
detail on front page the solid waste 3 -R
funding mechanisms.
Fees that support the County recycling
program work.
Goal Three: Implement planning and
North Carolina State Cooperative Extension
North Carolina State Cooperative Extension
• Maintain Orange County ranking in the state as
• Breeze Farm Enterprise Incubator Program
economic development policies which
create a balanced, dynamic local
42 for food grown and sold directly to
and Sustainable Agriculture direct, retail
economy, and which promote diversity,
consumers, only behind Henderson County.
food sales by Orange County farmers
sustainable growth and enhanced revenue
• Since a majority of Henderson County's sales
jumped from $26,000 in 1997 to $1.44
while embracing community values.
are related to apple production, Orange County
million in 2012, (5.4% increase over
ranks number one in the state in sales to
fifteen years).
consumers of diversified produce, poultry, and
• Average retail food sales per farm rose
livestock products.
from $1,300 in 1997 to $11,850 in
• Profitable and Sustainable Agriculture Program
2012. Farms growing vegetables roses
in Cooperative Extension has provided the
from 11 in 1997 to 77 in 2012, increasing
farming community with a number of farming
vegetable production acreage from 26 acres
alternatives that have been successful in
to 146 acres.
maintaining this $30 million industry.
• Extension provided over approximately
3,500 consultations, calls and emails per
year for the agriculture community with
information on livestock, agricultural
production techniques, pest identification
or safe pesticide.
• The Annual Agricultural Summit is a part
of this program that sets the stage to
introduce to new and innovative ideas.
Human Resources
Human Resources
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
GOALS — 2015 UPDATE
FOR DISCUSSIONS PURPOSES
Maintain a competitive salary structure that
encourages employees and their families to live
and work in Orange County.
Develop and maintain a diverse workforce that
exemplifies a commitment to EEO policies and
to ensure compliance with our affirmative
action policy, which is to promote equal access
to employment by protected groups and to
continually evaluate our recruiting practices for
potential adverse impact.
Develop, implement and evaluate recruitment,
hiring, orientation, succession planning,
retention and organizational exit programs
necessary to ensure a workforce's ability to
achieve Orange County's organizational goals
and objectives.
Develop, implement and evaluate activities and
programs that address employee training and
development, talent acquisition and
performance management to ensure that the
knowledge, skills, abilities and performance of
the workforce meet current and future county
and individual needs.
Aging Services
• Objective 2.1: Orange County, with input from
the towns of Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and
Hillsborough, will develop and adopt a housing
plan for Orange County's increasing older adult
population that includes action steps and a plan
for implementation and evaluation.
• Objective 2.4: Coordinate the navigation and
transportation plans between the various
32
• Conduct job analyses to create and /or
update job descriptions and identify job
competencies as essential criteria for
hiring, retaining and promoting County
employees.
Aging Services
• Developed a report "Senior Housing in
Orange County: Bridging the Gap between
Current and Future Senior Housing." This
is a starting point in developing a plan with
new Housing Director.
• Expanded senior centers routes and
extended hours are included in the 1/4 cent
sales tax plan.
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
GOALS — 2015 UPDATE
FOR DISCUSSIONS PURPOSES
counties, towns, and other regional bodies that
enable community mobility for older adults.
• Goal 7: Promote an adequate direct care
workforce for an aging population and
opportunities for older workers.
Economic Development
• Orange County Economic Development seeks
to support and improve the local economy for
its residents through the thoughtful promotion
of tourism and the arts, agriculture,
entrepreneurial start -ups, commercial and retail
attraction, business retention, and the
recruitment of quality business partners that
helps diversify the Country's non - residential
tax base.
• The County seeks desirable light manufacturing
firms which will provide health care and related
benefits and pay a living wage or higher for
33
• Submitted a grant to the NC Department of
Transportation and received funding for a
mobility manager. This position is
responsible to do outreach in the
community to assist older adults in
connecting with transportation services.
• Offer a Long Term Care Quality Services
award and are currently in the process of
offering a Long Term Care (LTC) Direct
Service Worker award to be given in May.
• Host many interns interested in the field of
aging. Aging Services was recognized as
"Outstanding in the Field" by the UNC
School of Social Work. Starting a new
clinic at the senior centers called the "One
Stop Shop Clinic for Community Living."
This is a free clinic staffed by students,
UNC Faculty, and our staff. It will be a
training ground for young aging
professionals.
Economic Development
• Article 46 — Economic Development
Funding Orange County's voters
successfully passed a referendum in
November 2011 to levy a one - quarter (1/4)
cent sales tax that provides additional
annual funding for education and economic
development purposes.
• The BOCC adopted a Resolution in
December 2011 authorizing the new one -
quarter cent sales tax.
• Debt service 60% - $750,000 - Economic
Development Districts (Eno, Hillsborough
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
GOALS — 2015 UPDATE
FOR DISCUSSIONS PURPOSES
employees, are environmentally clean and
follow sustainable business practices, are not
large water consumers, offer high - technology
job skills, and take a role in community
leadership.
The Arts Commission helps create the artistic
product — concerts, exhibits, performances, etc.
- that drives entertainment dollars spent by both
residents and tourists in Orange County
The Arts Commission helps local artists and
arts organizations make money and grow their
art businesses with free grant- writing and
professional development workshops such as
marketing, legal issues, social media, contracts,
copyrights, accounting, tax issues, crowd
funding, tourism, time management, grants, etc.
Through arts program development helping to
create vibrant Orange County communities,
such as FRANK Gallery artists cooperative in
downtown Chapel Hill.
The Visitors Bureau embarked on new research
study focused on visitors and, gauging attitudes,
awareness and purchasing behavior of tourists
in order to better understand who the target
audience is and how to improve marketing
initiatives. Results will be made available in
late February.
34
and Buckhorn)
• Orange County's Small Business Loan
Fund 16% - $200,000
• Entrepreneurial & Incubator Support 8% -
$100,000
• Business Investment Grants 8% - $100,000
• Agriculture Investment Grants
5%-$60,000
• Marketing & Collaborative Outreach
1.5% - $20,000
• Advertising, Publishing & Collateral
Materials 1.5% - $20,000 In September
2013, Morinaga announced its decision to
select Orange County to create nearly 100
new manufacturing jobs, build an initial
100,000 sq. ft. facility and invest an initial
$48 million for Phase One. One or two
plant expansions of similar size are
anticipated in coming years.
Through our two annual grant cycles
(Spring & Fall) distributing $190,254 in
state funds and $162,500 in county funds
from FY10 -FY15 to nonprofits sponsoring
art projects, arts organizations, schools and
artists;
Through arts economic impact studies
sponsored by Americans for the Arts.
Nonprofit arts & culture in Orange County
is an $85.4 million industry supporting
3,352 full -time equivalent jobs and
generating $8 million in government
revenue. Nonprofit arts and culture
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
GOALS — 2015 UPDATE
FOR DISCUSSIONS PURPOSES
35
GOALS/PRIORITIES
ONGOING EFFORTS
SPECIFIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS
spent $63.9 million in FYI 0, leveraged
$21.5 million in additional spending by arts
and culture audiences — spending that
pumped vital revenue into local
restaurants, hotels, retail stores, parking
garages and other businesses (Arts &
Economic Prosperity IV study, released
June 2012).
• Through our local efforts helping the arts
play a substantial role in the nation's
economy. Nationally, the for - profit and
nonprofit arts and culture sectors combined
— movies, painting, publishing, cable and
more — are worth at least half a trillion
dollars (3 percent of the gross domestic
product in 2011).
• Through on -going advertising via our free
arts, culture and entertainment online
calendar — ExploreChape1Hi11ARTS.com.
Artists, schools and organizations can post
and showcase their events and artist
portfolios free of charge. The affordable
online arts calendar created by the
EverWondr Network is in use by multiple
arts councils across this state, HandMade
in America, the N.C. Dept. of Cultural
Resources, and the N.C. Arts Council.
• The Chapel Hill /Orange County Visitors
Bureau introduced a new marketing
campaign focused on attracting mid -week
business, themed "The Edge of the
Triangle ". The campaign has reached 26
million people in target markets on the
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
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FOR DISCUSSIONS PURPOSES
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GOALS/PRIORITIES
ONGOING EFFORTS
SPECIFIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Atlantic Coast, through digital, print and
radio platforms. The North Carolina
Department of Commerce issued an
announcement in August 2012 that
spending by domestic U.S. travelers totaled
$144.07 million in Orange County during
2010. This was a 5.7 percent increase over
2009 figures and ranks Orange County
24th out of North Carolina's 100 counties
in travel expenditures.
• This visitors bureau responded to 1603
requests for information from meeting
planners; generated 76 sales leads for area
hotels; confirmed 51 conference bookings
that will bring 6,809 delegates to Orange
County who will spend $2.4 million using
an estimated 4,000 room nights. As a
result of this outreach, the Visitors Bureau
saw an increase in visitors, conferences,
media coverage and demand for rooms,
restaurants and information.
• The Visitors Bureau generated national
publicity on Orange County and Chapel
Hill in key travel and lifestyle publications,
newspapers and on -line resources by
hosting 21 travel journalists who secured
story placement on the area in publications
such as New York Times, Southern Living,
Garden and Gunn magazine and more.
• The Visitors Bureau created 8 -page
campaign promoting local food, farmers
and agriculture for readers of Chapel Hill
magazine in the March -April 2012 issue.
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
GOALS — 2015 UPDATE
FOR DISCUSSIONS PURPOSES
Department of environmental, Agricultural, Parks,
and Recreation
• Staff reviewed potential for hosting soccer and
other sports tournaments at the Soccer.com
Center.
• Staff working on possible expansion and
enhancement of the Soccer.com Center, which
would increase revenue - generation and spinoff
economic benefit.
37
Additionally, the Bureau created the 2012
Visitor's Guide to Orange County, the
2012 Official Visitors Map and "Top 12
Things to Do in 2012" flier.
• The Visitors Bureau received three
Destination Marketing Achievement
Awards at the 2012 N.C. Tourism
Leadership Conference Banquet. Gold
Awards went to the 2010— 2011 Annual
Report and Strategic Plan Overview for
"Best Local Constituents
Communications" and the Visitor's Bureau
E- newsletter for "Best Local Constituents
Communications Newsletter ". A
Platinum Award for "Best Publications
Niche Marketing" went to the Sales
Department's piece "Good Meetings Start
with Good Preparation" geared toward
meeting planners.
Department of environmental, Agricultural,
Parks, and Recreation
• In 2011, Soccer.com has significantly
increased number of tournaments, which
has enhanced revenue generation and
provided substantial tourism and economic
benefit.
• Beginning in Fall 2012, the Center became
one of the host sites for the nationally -
renowned College Soccer Showcase Series,
bringing teams, parents, coaches and
collegiate recruiters from across the nation
to Orange County for two weekends in the
late -fall.
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
GOALS — 2015 UPDATE
FOR DISCUSSIONS PURPOSES
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GOALS/PRIORITIES
ONGOING EFFORTS
SPECIFIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• Worked with the Visitors Bureau to help
develop agricultural and local foods
campaign in 2012.
• Gained approval of the 10% Campaign by
BOCC, and worked to survey County
departments about food purchases,
continuing to participate in implementing
10% Campaign and local food purchases
within County government (consistent with
the Environmental Responsibility Goal).
Priority 2: Implement Comprehensive Plan
Planning Department
Planning Department
(a) Rewrite zoning and subdivision
• Many small area plan implementation measures
• The Comprehensive Plan was adopted in
regulations (Unified Development
have been completed, including Future Land
November 2008 and implementation has
Ordinance).
Use Map changes, zoning changes, UDO text
been occurring through UDO amendments
changes, and sewer construction in the Efland-
and other County actions.
Mebane area. Completion of other small area
plan implementation measures are on- going,
. The Unified Development Ordinance
(UDO) was adopted in April 2011 and
such as the Efland zoning overlay districts.
numerous amendments, especially related
to encouraging economic development
activity in the County's urban - designated
areas, have been made to the UDO since its
adoption.
Planning and Inspections
Planning and Inspections
• Staff has initiated several text amendments to
• Updated the Unified Development
implement policies and goals as embodied in
Ordinance (by adding Section 6.20) to
the Comprehensive Plan. This includes the
require new uses on a property to connect
proactive rezoning of areas to expand, and aid,
to sewer infrastructure already in place or
economic development opportunities.
installed by the County as part of economic
development projects, provided sewer is
reasonably available as defined by the
ordinance.
Department of Environmental, Agricultural,
Parks, and Recreation (DEAPR)
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
GOALS — 2015 UPDATE
FOR DISCUSSIONS PURPOSES
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GOALS/PRIORITIES
ONGOING EFFORTS
SPECIFIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• Completed the Parks and Recreation
Master Plan 2030 (adopted 11/18/14),
consistent with the objectives identified in
the 2030 Comprehensive Plan.
Priority 3: Develop economic plans for
Economic Development
Economic Development
three (3) districts.
• Continue to generate business investment
• Multiple on -site visits were made by
inquiries in the County's 3 business districts
Fortune 1000 companies seeking a
along the interstate.
location, recommended by the State of
• Oversee the Capital Investment Plan (CIP)
North Carolina's industrial recruiting staff,
projects that are underway to improve the
and key site selection consultants that have
availability and reach of present utilities in
toured the Economic Development
designated economic development land use
Districts' commercial and industrial
areas.
properties.
• The Orange County Economic Development
• The Buckhorn Economic Development
office will work diligently to market the
District has received significant
County's three Economic Development
improvement in this area's zoning
Districts to prospective investors.
amendments encompassing several
hundred acres of land, the actual
completion of over $4 million in water and
sewer line infrastructure (funded by Article
46's quarter cent sales tax for economic
development).
• Coordinated infrastructure partnership
between the County and the City of
Mebane linking these utility achievements
and joint industrial recruitment efforts, and
new road work installed by the N.C.
Department of Transportation.
• This $4 million project, initiated in late
2012, has created a series of `backbone'
sewer and water systems to service or
augment over 1,000 acres of economic
development lands, stretching from the
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
GOALS — 2015 UPDATE
FOR DISCUSSIONS PURPOSES
Economic Development -Small Business Loan
Program
• Small Business Loan Program has successfully
supported new and existing small businesses
located in Hillsborough, Carrboro, Chapel Hill
and the rural area by awarding of loans to
applicants.
Business Retention & Expansion Efforts
• Ongoing company visits continue with large
and smaller existing firms in Orange County.
Agriculture Economic Development
• Ongoing efforts to nurture agricultural related
economic development, to include linking
locally grown foods with local consumers,
Entrepreneurial Support
• Ongoing effort to support and retain
entrepreneurial start -up talent that originates in
the County, such as student talent at UNC
Chapel Hill.
Marketing Efforts
to the County's promotional
.N
Cheeks and Efland areas westward toward
the City of Mebane.
• The ED project included 2 miles of gravity
sewer (18" gravity in western zone and 12"
gravity in eastern zone), and 3 miles of 16"
water system. Besides adding to the
inventory of additional utility serviceable
acres, the 16" water system created a large
loop to increase pressures, water capacity
and fire flow to many existing industrial
businesses in Orange County's western
economic development zone.
Economic Development -Small Business Loan
Program
• There are eight current borrowers, and all
loans are current, with no defaults.
• Current loan activity by prospective
borrowers includes approximately a dozen
individuals and /or small businesses that
have either received an application, have
submitted all or parts of the required
documentation, or have reached the final
review stage with the loan committee.
BOCC comments made during the April
15th, 2014 report presentation included a
request for (a) clarification of the loan
committee's approval process, (b) a desire
to see the Program increase its lending
activity to Orange County's small
businesses, and (c) concern that certain
credit considerations to approve loans
(such as a current prohibition to lend to
non - profits, or to applicants with pending
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
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GOALS/PRIORITIES
ONGOING EFFORTS
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marketing materials are ongoing, to include
criminal issues) were unwarranted and
compiling, updating and publishing a list of
should be eased.
available sites and buildings for prospects,
• The loan program's board of directors
designing illustrative site maps and diagrams.
responded by amending the loan program's
• Continue to work with Planning & Inspections
Policies & Procedures to incorporate the
department to assist Economic Development in
BOCC's proposed amendments to the loan
cooperation to provide GIS -based mapping
program's current Policies & Procedures.
assistance. These marketing documents are
Orange County Economic Development
generated in -house at low cost, and distributed
aggressively markets the loan program
to prospective business investors and site
with a goal to increase overall loan
selection consultants in printed form and via the
activity, and expand the diversity of
Economic Development office's web site.
applicants and borrowers.
• In early 2011, that included the County's
financial assistance to successfully retain
the on -site facility expansion (90 new jobs
and $3 million in new investment) for the
local German -owned heavy earthmoving
equipment parts industry in Mebane,
Orange County named "AKG North
America ".
• This project was the BOCC's first
awarding of a "performance- based"
incentive agreement ($100,000.00 total, to
be paid over a 5 -year period to AKG) to
encourage industrial economic
development retention and expansion.
• In 2013 -2014, The County used Article 46
funds to financially participate with the
Town of Carrboro to repair a failing sewer
line. The recent repair of that sewer line
has since removed the threat of a shutdown
that could have negatively impacted over
20 downtown businesses employing over
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
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FOR DISCUSSIONS PURPOSES
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GOALS/PRIORITIES
ONGOING EFFORTS
SPECIFIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS
100 jobs.
• In 2014, the BOCC approved the creation
of a new full -time "Business Retention"
staff position in Economic Development to
allow the County to specifically focus on
existing businesses, to include our larger
companies as well as the smaller, locally
owned independent firms.
• A highly qualified and enthusiastic
individual has been selected to fill the new
position and implement their new business
retention plan.
• The successful start -up of the Piedmont
Food & Agricultural Processing Center
(PFAP) was established in Hillsborough in
2011. PFAP, which is a joint partnership
between Orange, Alamance, Chatham and
Durham county governments, has now
evolved into a non - profit with nearly two
dozen active tenants, has its own advisory
board, and is now a successful stand -alone
organization.
• The BOCC voted in 2014 to allow PFAP to
have access to the Cedar Grove
Community Center and utilize excess
warehouse space there in support of PFAP
customers' short -term pallet storage needs.
• Agri cultural-themed economic
development has gained in momentum
with the annual hosting of the Farm to Fork
event, the annual farm tour program, the
promotion of `agri- tourism" by the Orange
County Visitors Bureau, and the County's
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
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GOALS/PRIORITIES
ONGOING EFFORTS
SPECIFIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS
annual hosting of the well- attended
Agriculture Summit.
• Agricultural - themed economic
development has gained in momentum
with the annual hosting of the Farm to Fork
event, the annual farm tour program, the
promotion of `agri- tourism" by the Orange
County Visitors Bureau, and the County's
annual hosting of the well- attended
Agriculture Summit.
• In 2012, Article 46 funds began to fund an
Inter -local Agreement between Orange
County and the Town of Chapel Hill to
support the monthly lease requirements of
the "LaUNCh Chapel Hill" innovation
center, located on Rosemary Street.
• Over the initial 3 1/2 year lease period, the
County will provide a total of $140,000 in
economic development funding to support
"LaUNCh Chapel Hill ". This new
incubator, with over 20 full -time promising
firms, has received significant financial
support and financial backing from the
University and key private donors. Several
successful tenants have since expanded
into their own office locations and hired
additional staff. In 2014, the BOCC
approved the combination of two part -time,
County- funded and vacant staff positions
in Agriculture (tied to Cooperative
Extension, and Economic Development),
to form a new full -time "Agriculture
Economic Development" specialist
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
GOALS — 2015 UPDATE
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GOALS/PRIORITIES
ONGOING EFFORTS
SPECIFIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS
position.
• Reporting to the Economic Development
office, a highly qualified individual has
since been hired and is beginning to make
a positive contribution to the County's
efforts to support and elevate agriculture's
contribution to the local economy.
• Orange County Economic Development
designed and launched a new web site, and
Facebook page, in January 2012 oriented
toward business recruitment and retention,
and the diversification of the County's tax
base. www.GrowInOrangeNC.com, won a
prestigious "Silver" award in the
international "W3" web site development
competition.
Planning Department
• The Economic Development Department was
identified as the lead department for this
priority with Planning as a supporting
department. Since the UDO was adopted,
Planning has brought forward several rezoning
(over 400 acres) in urban - designated areas and
UDO text changes intended to better encourage
economic development activities.
• Planning has worked on water and sewer issues
and access management in the Buckhorn and
Eno. Presently, consultants are being utilized to
conduct environmental analysis and fine tune
transportation plans in the Efland- Buckhorn-
Mebane access management planning area.
Priority 10: Develop an energy plan that
Economic Development
Economic Development
includes economic development strategies
• Monitor and develop strategies to attract clean,
• In September, 2012 BOCC approved to
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
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GOALS/PRIORITIES
ONGOING EFFORTS
SPECIFIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS
to attract, retain, and grown `green' business
sustainable technologies to Orange County.
grant a Special Use Permit allowing local
firm Strata Solar to develop a 5- megawatt
solar farm on a 50 -acre site in the White
Cross community.
• In 2014, Strata Solar received BOCC
approval to build a similarly sized 5-
megawatt solar farm in the eastern edge of
the Buckhorn Economic Development
District, and that operation is also now
completed and operating.
Asset Management Services
Asset Management Services
• Focus on the energy plan development,
• Recruited and hired a County
sustainable energy policies, energy
Sustainability Coordinator to collaborate
conservation, and energy education.
within County departments as well as
outside agencies on energy issues
• The position will also work with the
DEAPR to assist in staffing the Orange
County Commission for the Environment
with regard to its work and priorities.
Planning Department
• Planning staff oversaw and coordinated the
successful processing of 2 solar public
utility projects through the Special Use
Permitting process.
Department on Environmental, Agricultural, Parks,
and Recreation ( DEAPR)
• UNC intern with DEAPR in winter 2010 -11
evaluated Orange County government's energy
usage trends from 2009 — 2011, and provided
strategic recommendations for Asset
Management Services and DEAPR
consideration. This information was used in FY
2013 -14 budget preparation and annual energy
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
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GOALS/PRIORITIES
ONGOING EFFORTS
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and conservation policy updates.
• The Commission for the Environment
(consistent with its 2013 -14 goals and
discussion at the fall 2014 joint meeting with
the BOCC) is researching strategies and
initiatives for energy efficiency, renewable
energy, and related sustainable development —
including incentives such as reduced building
permit fees for energy - efficient construction
and renovation in Orange County.
• DEAPR is also working on energy use
reduction strategies at park facilities, as sports
and other lighting increases. LED lighting and
"green lighting' measures will be part of future
lighting projects to reduce energy use and
reduce "spillage" of illumination.
Priority 19: Be actively involved and
Public Health
Public Health
informed about UNC -CH decisions and
• Staff is involved with university research
• Orange County Public Health Director is
intentions
projects.
Adjunct Faculty in the School of Public
• Staff precept students from university. Provides
Health
annual orientation to UNC public health
students through the Practice Pathways Public
Health PHield Trip.
Aging Department
Aging Department
• Department Director serves on the UNC
• UNC Healthcare financially supports the
Healthcare Community Advisory Committee
Wellness Coordinator position and In
• UNC Allied Health Faculty serves on the
Praise of Age television show.
Wellness Advisory Board.
• Staff serves as preceptors to students for
internships /proj ects.
• Support is given to aging related research
proj ects.
Solid Waste Management
Solid Waste Management
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
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GOALS/PRIORITIES
ONGOING EFFORTS
SPECIFIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• Solid Waste Management works in cooperation
• UNC -CH participates in Solid Waste
with UNC Office of Waste Reduction and
Advisory Group regarding solid waste and
Recycling to determine when to provide
recycling services and facilities planning.
commercial recycling services to off - campus
UNC facilities.
• UNC Energy Services and County Solid Waste
Management are in regular and ongoing
communication regarding operation and
maintenance of landfill gas recovery system.
Economic Development
Economic Development
• The County's Economic Development office
• The County's 50150 partnership funding
regularly networks with various UNC programs
partnership with the Town of Chapel Hill
such as World View, Carolina Asia Center, the
supports the "LaUNCh Chapel Hill"
Working Group on Economic Development
innovation center, with the University of
(WGED), and hosting summer internships for
North Carolina being a third partner.
Masters of Public Administration graduate
students.
Emergency Services
• Emergency Services attends regular meetings of
the UNC Emergency Response Group (ERG)
for public safety /student safety initiatives.
• Partner with the Dean of Students to share
information about personal safety and
accountability.
• Partner with the UNC Athletic Department to
plan for mass gatherings at the football and
basketball games, to include being present at
the Command Post for all home games.
Planning Department
• Planning staff and director communicate
regularly with UNC officials concerning the use
and /or expansion of an existing research facility
off of Orange Glover Garden Chapel Road in
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
GOALS — 2015 UPDATE
FOR DISCUSSIONS PURPOSES
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GOALS/PRIORITIES
ONGOING EFFORTS
SPECIFIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS
the Bingham Township of the County.
Department of Environmental, Agricultural, Parks,
and Recreation (DEAPR)
• Included UNC intramurals recreation staff in
Intergovernmental Parks Work Group, to help
address mutual issues for look for possible
collaborations.
Priority 20: Support transit, pedestrian,
Asset Management Services (AMS)
Asset Management Services (AMS)
and bicycle facilities and other alternatives
• Through the County Sustainability Coordinator,
• AMS has integrated and constructed public
to the single passenger automobile.
AMS is exploring opportunities to collaborate
transit, bicycle and pedestrian friendly
with County departments and outside agencies
infrastructure in all of its new and
to increase commuting options and to promote
renovated construction as well as the future
alternative modes of transportation within the
planned projects.
County.
• AMS recruited a Fleet Automotive
• Planned initiatives include the creation of a
Technician with a specialization in bus
commuter benefits package with Human
platforms to better serve Orange County's
Resources, assisting Planning in publicizing and
bus and large vehicle fleet.
promoting Orange Public Transportation.
Public Health
Public Health
• Board of Health has had multiple speakers on a
• Staff and Board members provided input
variety of topics from complete streets to
on the County's Transportation Plan
healthier transportation alternatives.
• Board of Health Member on OUT Board.
Department of Environmental, Agricultural, Parks,
Department of Environmental, Agricultural,
and Recreation (DEAPR)
Parks, and Recreation (DEAPR)
• The adopted Parks and Recreation Master Plan
• The State of the Environment 2014 report
2030 places a high priority on the creation of
included data on resident commuting
biking, hiking and walking trails. All park
patterns and daily vehicle miles traveled,
concept plans include trails and, where possible,
and provided recommendations for how
potential connections to future offsite trails are
Orange County can reduce residents'
shown (such as Jones Creek Greenway at Twin
reliance on personal automobiles through
Creeks). The state Mountains to Sea Trail,
land -use planning and by increasing public
which will traverse Orange County, will help
transit alternatives.
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
GOALS — 2015 UPDATE
FOR DISCUSSIONS PURPOSES
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GOALS/PRIORITIES
ONGOING EFFORTS
SPECIFIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS
support alternatives to the automobile in and
around Hillsborough.
Planning Department /OPT
Planning Department /OPT
• Planning Staff, in coordination with the County
• The Orange County Bus and Rail
Manager, has developed a framework for the
Investment Plan and associated inter -local
OUTBoard's study of bicycle safety which will
agreements were completed in 2012, as
be included as a February 2015 information
well as a successful voter referendum for a
item on a BOCC agenda.
�/z cent transit sales tax to serve as a
funding source.
• Two important plans have been completed:
1) Safe Routes to Schools Action Plan
(April 2014); and 2) Comprehensive
Transportation Plan (September 2013).
• In 2012, Orange County expanded its role
in regional transportation planning
becoming a voting member of the
Burlington- Graham Metropolitan Planning
Organization and continued on a regular
basis to submit projects to its Planning
Organizations for funding consideration by
NCDOT.
Priority 21: Amend County zoning to
Planning Department
address and modernize airport and related
• This topic has not been addressed because the
issues.
level of urgency dropped when UNC decided
not to pursue a potential airport in Bingham
Township.
Goal Four: Invest in quality County
Animal Services
Animal Services
facilities, a diverse work force, and
• Involved in the investment in quality facilities
• Implemented on -line pet licensing, web -
technology to achieve a high performing
and technology to achieve a high performing
based resources for finding lost pets, as
County government.
government.
well as a Facebook page and webpage.
• Training and professional development
continue to be a priority in the context of the
current legal requirements and social
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expectations of animal services operations.
Board of Elections
Board of Elections
• Strive to achieve diversity with precinct
• Developed system to electronically process
officials
voters at one -stop voting sites
• Maintain accurate and up -to -date website
• In process of implementing updated voting
• Maintain and update election night reporting
equipment in 2015
software for efficient reporting.
• In process of implementing electronic poll
books to more efficiently process voters
Tax Administration
Tax Administration
• Continue to strive for a representative, diverse
• In process, create a YouTube channel to
work force in recruitment selection.
record educational videos for the public.
• Tax office is striving to reduce paper and
Videos may be linked back to mailed
improve efficiency in the office by using apps
documents via Quick Response Code (bar
such as Dropbox, DocuSign and Citrix Receiver
code that can be scanned with a
on its iPad, desktop and laptops.
smartphone) or via direct links.
• The YouTube channel will be the hub of
the Citizen Revaluation Officer program as
well.
Asset Management Services
Asset Management Services
• AMS has worked with County Management
• Since 2006; the majority of which were
and Departments to develop new and renovated
completed and occupied after 2009:
state -of -the -art administrative, operations, and
o Seymour Senior Center
park facilities
o EMS Headquarters (5 10
• AMS leads BOCC initiatives to develop
Meadowlands)
sustainable facilities infrastructure
o Justice Facility Expansion
• Ongoing facility planning
o Animal Services Facility
• County Jail Facility
o Solid Waste Operations Center
• Southern Orange Government Services
o Central Orange Senior
Master Plan
Center /SportsPlex
• Cedar Grove Community Center
o Hillsborough Commons
(formerly Northern Human Services
(DSS)Gateway Center (Tax Admin,
Center)
Register of Deeds)
• Southern Branch Library
o West Campus Office Building
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GOALS/PRIORITIES
ONGOING EFFORTS
SPECIFIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS
o Triangle Sportsplex Pool Mezzanine
(Planning, Inspections, Economic
• AMS is participating in the Space Study Work
Development, IT, AMS, Child
Group initiative.
Support Enforcement, Public
Meeting Rooms
• Orange County Library
• Health and Dental Consolidation —
Whitted Center
• Public Defender Renovation (129
King)
• District Attorney Renovation
• Cedar Grove Park
• Fairview Park
• Soccer.com Center
• Twin Creeks Greenway
• Whitted Meeting Facilities
• Rogers Road Community Center
• AMS has also assisted in developing new
sanitary sewer and water systems within
the Efland, Buckhorn, and Economic
Development District;
• Divestiture of inefficient and uneconomical
facilities:
• Northern Human Services Center
• Sawyer Building
• Graham Building
• Moody Building
• Carr Mill Dental Clinic
• 1914 New Hope Church Road
• Installation of geothermal HVAC, digital
control systems for HVAC and lighting,
water reclamation, electric vehicle
charging stations.
• Acquisition of the Eno River Parking
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Deck.
Emergency gency Services
Emergency Services
Emergency Services
• EMS continues to partner with the IT
• EMS Stations were upgraded with
Department to build IT infrastructure to all
appropriate furnishings to accommodate
EMS stations.
around the clock operations.
• The Fire Marshal Division invests in
• In 2015 EMS partnered with the
maintaining fire safe county facilities through
Department of Social Services to recruit an
annual fire inspections, fire drills and utilizing
outstanding work first graduate.
technologies that streamline our work and
• Partnering with Social Services to assist
potentially reduce our carbon footprint.
the graduate in completing the Durham
Technical Community College Emergency
Medical Technician Program and obtain
vital EMS work experience in the EMS
Apprentice Program.
Aging Services
Aging Services
• Objective 1.1: Increase the accessibility of
• Project EngAGE was launched as a
information about resources, programs, and
grassroots effort to develop senior leaders
services for older adults in Orange County.
throughout the county that would be
• Maintain a bi- weekly listsery reaching almost
information resource persons for their
2,000 persons and Senior Times access on the
individual communities as an extension of
web has been improved.
the Aging Department.
• Updated the Community Resource Guide
for distribution hard copy and
electronically.
• Expanded our Seymour Tech class
offerings and have developed a department
Facebook page.
• Re- designed program materials and have
utilized billboard advertising.
• In the final editing stages for a
departmental information video.
Social Services
Social Services
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Pnnhlir Rf -nith
• Public Health Department Informatics Manager
regularly collaborates and shares data with
other departments such as Housing and Social
Services.
• Public Health Department invests $20,000 of
non - county funding each year in the
"Innovation Grant" Program
Solid Waste Management
• Maintain efforts for safe, and efficient handling
of solid waste and recycling
Pnhlir "ealth
• Renovation at SHSC complete resulting in
a fresher, more modern, professional,
health clinic.
• 25% of Orange County Public Health staff
are bi- lingual
• 25% of Orange County Public Health staff
have stand -up /sit -down desks in their
offices
Solid Waste Mana_eg ment
• Renovation of Walnut Grove Church Road
Solid Waste Convenience Center
• Replaced open top dumpsters with
compactors and segregating large
• County collection truck traffic from
residential traffic in two tiered system.
• Site renovations also improved storm water
management, customer traffic flow and
usability by the elderly or handicapped.
• Renovation of Eubanks Road Solid Waste
Convenience Center currently under design
and permitting.
• Implemented roll carts urban recycling
collection that are serviced by fully
• Utilize current and emerging technologies to
•
Orange County Social Services served as a
deliver services efficiently and effectively.
pilot county to test and implement the
• Staff continues to use an electronic document
Medicaid phase of NC FAST, the state's
management system to streamline processes for
new case management system in public
clients.
assistance.
• Several DSS staff is serving or has served on
statewide committees or task forces focusing on
immovinz technolozv across human services.
Pnnhlir Rf -nith
• Public Health Department Informatics Manager
regularly collaborates and shares data with
other departments such as Housing and Social
Services.
• Public Health Department invests $20,000 of
non - county funding each year in the
"Innovation Grant" Program
Solid Waste Management
• Maintain efforts for safe, and efficient handling
of solid waste and recycling
Pnhlir "ealth
• Renovation at SHSC complete resulting in
a fresher, more modern, professional,
health clinic.
• 25% of Orange County Public Health staff
are bi- lingual
• 25% of Orange County Public Health staff
have stand -up /sit -down desks in their
offices
Solid Waste Mana_eg ment
• Renovation of Walnut Grove Church Road
Solid Waste Convenience Center
• Replaced open top dumpsters with
compactors and segregating large
• County collection truck traffic from
residential traffic in two tiered system.
• Site renovations also improved storm water
management, customer traffic flow and
usability by the elderly or handicapped.
• Renovation of Eubanks Road Solid Waste
Convenience Center currently under design
and permitting.
• Implemented roll carts urban recycling
collection that are serviced by fully
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
GOALS — 2015 UPDATE
FOR DISCUSSIONS PURPOSES
54
GOALS/PRIORITIES
ONGOING EFFORTS
SPECIFIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS
automated collection vehicles; carts
contain RFID chips to assist in gathering
inventory and program performance data
that is shared with Towns.
Department of Environmental, Agricultural, Parks,
• Department of Environmental,
and Recreation (DEAPR)
Agricultural, Parks, and Recreation
DEAPR
• Facility improvements have been /are being
made at the Soccer.com (formerly Eurosport)
• New park facilities have been developed
Soccer Center, and Blackwood Farm Park is
and are open at Cedar Grove Park,
being readied for opening on a limited basis in
Fairview Park, and the Jones Creek
spring 2015.
Greenway segment at Twin Creeks
• Work toward the opening of the Hollow Rock
(Moniese Nomp) Park since 2009. A Little
Natural Area (part of New Hope Creek
Free Library has also been installed at
Preserve, with Durham County and Chapel
Cedar Grove Park, in conjunction with the
Hill) and trails at the Seven -Mile Creek Natural
Library.
Area (Upper Eno Preserve) are also underway.
Priority 11: Invest in technology to
Animal Services
Animal Services
increase work efficiencies; e.g. web
• Animal Services continues to tap its specialized
• Web - licensing accounts for upwards of one
streaming, paperless agendas, integrated
software (Chameleon) to improve overall
third of all pet licenses.
tracking systems between field and office.
efficiency and effectiveness.
• Animal Services recently introduced a
• One of the next steps will be to begin to use a
volunteer management program that tracks
"postmaster" function for electronic
hours of service by various tracks as well
notifications.
as the total number of hours.
Public Health
Public Health
• Maintain medical and dental services use of
• Field staff has portable technology to
electronic health records (EHR)
improve work efficiencies, customer
• Continue to use GIS mapping and data drilling
service, reporting, and billing.
to identify target areas for intensive and /or new
• Virtual orientation and virtual job
services.
shadowing now being done through HD
video.
• Collaborating with the Planning
Department on a new central permitting
process -- utilizing new technology to
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
GOALS — 2015 UPDATE
FOR DISCUSSIONS PURPOSES
Emergency Services
• The EMS division utilizes technology for daily
EMS activity, to track citizen inquiries, to track
logistic work orders, and to maintain employee
information.
• Technology called "Marvelous" will be
implemented to place available units closer to
the next "anticipated" call for service, enabling
us to further reduce response times.
Information Technology
• Facilitate public records request via email
archiving, document scanning and electronic
backup retention policies
55
improve the user's interface and
experience. "One Project, One Permit"
philosophy.
• Shared access to UNC hospital's "EPIC"
EHR.
Emergency Services
• EMS will be expanding the webEOC
system to incorporate ambulance checkout
processes and field training evaluation
processes.
• The Communications Division is
implementing new technology that will
enable the closest unit to respond to the
call, which will reduce response times. The
Emergency Management Division
implemented a technology called
"Salamander" that tracks responders at
planned and unplanned events; this was
recently used during the Active Shooter
trainings and the Halloween event on
Franklin Street.
Information Technology
• Implementation of updated technology to
improve internal effectiveness for service
to County residents.
• Electronic Agendas
• Electronic contract routing
• Expansion of BOCC meeting
facilities
• Document scanning project
• Consistent PC replacement
implementation
• Embracing mobile technology
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
GOALS — 2015 UPDATE
FOR DISCUSSIONS PURPOSES
Planning and Inspections
• Electronic monitoring/operation has enabled
Engineering to more closely match releases to
targets, leading to more effective management
of this water resource and maintenance of water
quality in the Eno River, especially the East
Fork of the Eno River to which Lake orange is
the sole source downstream to the confluence.
• The Planning Board and OUTBoard have
largely transitioned to paperless agendas (some
members request paper copies). Agendas and
minutes for both advisory boards are posted on
the Planning Department's website.
• Staff electronically stores and maintains
approved development projects.
• The Planning Department webpage now
provides links to electronic copies of
development projects that have either been
approved or are still under review.
• Two GIS public assistance terminals are used
regularly for customer service at the front
counter.
56
• Laptops - ultraportable laptops
• Tablets - handheld technolmie
Planning and Inspections
• Orange County Engineering staff
completed a project to allow remote
operation of the release gate at Lake
Orange, as well as remote monitoring of
the lake level, the flow from the gate and
readings from an electronic rain gauge.
This has vastly improved the efficiency of
operation of the Lake as well as
significantly increasing the amount and
quality of data recorded and available
regarding day to day conditions at Lake
Orange.
The Buildings Inspections Division of the
Planning Department accomplished the
following:
o Transitioned from $3,500
ruggedized laptops, purchased in
2006, to County standard Lenovo
laptops, saving $2,500 per unit in
2012.
o Implemented auto -email updates to
the public on inspection results and
permit approvals.
• Assisted with data migration
strategies between Permits Plus
(permitting software) and Patriot
(Land Records and Tax software) in
2011.
• Purchased a scanner to scan copies
Priority 22: Review and update County
personnel and operational policies and
procedures.
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
GOALS — 2015 UPDATE
FOR DISCUSSIONS PURPOSES
Department of Environmental, Agricultural, Parks,
and Recreation (DEAPR)
• Majority of recreation and athletics program
registration, and facility reservation, is now
accomplished through WebTrac automated
system on web site.
Human Resources
• Provide a strong training commitment to all
employees.
Develop and implement a Supervisor Training
Certificate Program for all current supervisors
mentor and enhance the growth of potential
supervisors and to provide a leadership program
for management executives.
Develop, implement and evaluate
57
associated with permits;
significantly reducing paper work
to be stored by County and reduced
applicant's submittals to one set of
plans from three sets in 2010.
Partnering with OC Information
Technologies and OC Environmental
Health identifying all workflows, business
rules, and processes to be analyzed and
mapped for selection, support, and
implementation of a new Land
Management Central Permitting System
that will replace our current twelve year
old permitting and field inspection
software in 2013 and 2014.
Now accepting commercial building plans
in electronic format for required plans
review. 2014.
Department of Environmental, Agricultural,
Parks, and Recreation (DEAPR)
• Advisory board agendas and materials are
now transmitted by email. Some meetings
and business conducted by teleconference.
Human Resources
• Implemented and expanded
activities and programs that address
employee training and development, talent
acquisition and performance management
to ensure that the knowledge, skills,
abilities and performance of the workforce
meet current and future county and
individual needs.
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
GOALS — 2015 UPDATE
FOR DISCUSSIONS PURPOSES
W
GOALS/PRIORITIES
ONGOING EFFORTS
SPECIFIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS
hiring, orientation, succession planning,
• Conducted leadership training with
retention and organizational exit programs
departments on the FISH Philosophy with
necessary to ensure a workforce's ability to
plans to train leaders and employees
achieve Orange County's organizational goals
appropriately.
and objectives.
Emergency Services
Emergency
Emergency ServServices Emergency Services
• Maintain and revise as needed the Emergency
• Collaborated with Human Resources, Risk
Operations Plan (EOP) for emergency /disaster
Management, and the County Managers
response and recovery.
Office to revise the Personnel Ordinance
regarding Administrative Leave when the
Severe Weather Policy is activated. In
addition, we revised the Severe Weather
Plan to include the use of new technology
to contact our employees.
• Collaborated with AMS and the Sheriff's
Office, we helped develop the County's
first Emergency Action Plan (EAP) that is
specific to each facility. The EAP covers
workplace violence, fire, EMS, and a wide
range of other hazards.
Priority 23: Design and fund space for
Asset Management Services (AMS)
Asset Management Services (AMS)
County Attorney Offices. Manager and
. Assisted with the planning for the Link Center
• Lead the renovation of the Link
BOCC to discuss concept and staffing
renovation.
Government Services Center to
accommodate the in -house County
Attorney offices and the BOCC office as
well as the refurbished County Manager
wing.
Goal Five: Create, preserve, and
Board of Election
Board of Elections
protect a natural environment that
• Continue to explore and utilize opportunities to
• Recycle election material whenever
includes clean water, clean air, wildlife,
re -use materials in an effort to protect the
possible
important natural lands and sustainable
environment.
• Re -use training manuals and voting
energy for present and future
instructions
generations.
• Implementation of electronic poll books
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
GOALS — 2015 UPDATE
FOR DISCUSSIONS PURPOSES
Priority 1: Conserve high priority natural
areas, wildlife habitat, and prime forests.
Emergency Services
• The EM Division continues to respond to all
hazardous materials releases, including
hydrocarbons (gasoline, kerosene, diesel) when
they are released and have the potential of
reaching ground or surface water to ensure a
qualified contractor cleans up the spill.
• The Fire Marshal Division works closely with
the North Carolina Forest Service, North
Carolina Wildlife and we strive to educate
citizens on proper management of lands to
protect county infrastructure from
conflagrations through prescribed fires and
regulated burning with consideration of air
quality initiatives through the Division of Air
Quality in North Carolina.
Department of Environmental, Agricultural, Parks,
and Recreation (DEAPR)
• The Soil and Water Conservation District offers
many federal and State programs to assist in
wildlife habitat protection and creation, and in
creating forested areas, especially along stream
corridors.
• The Commission for the Environment is
collaborating with the N.C. Botanical Garden
and others to identify and protect significant
roadside habitat for native plants (as authorized
by BOCC).
59
eliminates the need to print paper poll
books
Emergency Services
• Installed seven idle reduction systems for
ambulances that will reduce emissions in
2015.
• The Emergency Management Division has
revised and reinvigorated the Local
Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC)
that is responsible for reviewing facility
hazardous materials plans and receiving
facility reports of the hazardous materials
that they store each year.
Department of Environmental, Agricultural,
Parks, and Recreation (DEAPR)
• The County, through its Lands Legacy
program, has acquired over 1,000 acres for
parks and nature preserves, and protected
an additional 2,080 acres of prime
farmland and significant natural areas with
permanent conservation easements. Other
federal and state cost -share programs have
been leveraged to this end. Sixty -five
percent of the County's 10,234 acres of
significant Natural Heritage Areas
(identified natural areas and prime forests)
have been protected by the County and
various conservation organizations, as
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
GOALS — 2015 UPDATE
FOR DISCUSSIONS PURPOSES
•1
GOALS/PRIORITIES
ONGOING EFFORTS
SPECIFIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS
reported in the State of the Environment
2014.
Planning and Inspections
• The Erosion Control /Storm water (EC /SW)
Division is delegated by the North Carolina
Division of Water Resources to conduct surface
water determinations for subjectivity to buffer
regulations here in Orange County.
• Through field visits and updates to the Orange
County GIS system, allow County staff to build
an accurate, up -to -date database of all surface
waters within the County.
• Allow County staff to add previously un-
mapped surface waters subject to buffer
regulations to the Orange County GIS system,
in order to further protect water quality in the
County as a whole.
• Provide an efficient alternative for Orange
County citizens to determine if surface waters
of a property in question are subject to buffer
regulations.
• Through our subdivision regulations, the
County encourages the preservation of
environmental sensitive areas by having them
designated as protected open space.
• County stream buffer regulations, requiring the
preservation of the natural area in and around
the banks of a stream, are some of the most
restrictive in the State and serve as a model for
progressive water quality management.
Priority 12: Implement County's
Solid Waste Management
Solid Waste Mana_eg ment
Environmental Responsibility goals
• The Solid Waste Department provides a wide
• County surpassed its 61% waste reduction
variety of convenient, effective, high - quality
goal achieving 64% waste reduction rate in
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
GOALS — 2015 UPDATE
FOR DISCUSSIONS PURPOSES
N
GOALS/PRIORITIES
ONGOING EFFORTS
SPECIFIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS
recycling services and waste reduction
FY 13 -14 thus further reducing resource
education to foster environmental protection by
consumption by promoting and developing
conserving resources, properly managing
more waste reduction and recycling efforts.
hazardous materials, meeting or exceeding all
landfill regulations /standards, and reducing
pollution through use of recycled materials and
composting.
Aging Services
Aging Services
• Work with other county departments to
• Implemented the use of ceramic dishes,
implement a countywide process of using bio-
glassware and cloth napkins in the daily
degradable plates and utensils for events as
lunch program at the senior centers over 5
well.
years ago.
Asset Management Services (AMS)
Asset Management Services (AMS)
• Worked closely with DEAPR & Solid Waste to
• AMS has developed utility, fuel and water
begin implementing the approved
conservation goals and a related
Environmental Responsibility Goals.
"scorecard" system to measure results that
• The Orange County Sustainability Coordinator
will collaborate between County departments
are easily communicated to the BOCC
each year; these goals are related to the
and outside agencies to ensure the
Utility, Fuel and Water Conservation
implementation and education of the goal sets.
Policies approved by the BOCC in 2006.
• AMS is updated the Utility, Fuel & Water
policies for action by the BOCC during the
spring of 2013.
Department of Environmental, Agricultural, Parks,
Department of Environmental, Agricultural,
and Recreation (DEAPR)
Parks, and Recreation (DEAPR)
• With the help of the new Sustainability
• The Commission for the Environment has
Coordinator, the Environmental Stewardship
presented findings and recommendations to
Action Committee and Environmental Resource
BOCC on selected environmental issues
Steering Committee will have additional
(e.g., incentives for energy - efficient
support to help implement the Environmental
construction and renovation; diverting
Responsibility Goal and to institutionalize
more food waste from the solid waste
environmentally - responsible and sustainable
stream; increase efforts to collect data
practices within County government.
about surface and groundwater quality and
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
GOALS — 2015 UPDATE
FOR DISCUSSIONS PURPOSES
62
GOALS/PRIORITIES
ONGOING EFFORTS
SPECIFIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• DEAPR continues to implement administrative
groundwater quantity in the county.
policies for sustainable forestry practices and
sustainable landscaping on County grounds.
Planning and Inspections Department
• The Erosion Control /Storm water (EC /SW)
Division operates an erosion control program
delegated by the NC Sedimentation Control
Commission (SCC), administered by the NC
Department of Environment and Natural
Resources (NCDENR). This is performed
under a structure documented in a formal
Memorandum of Agreement (MOA).
• The water quality aspect of those State
responsibilities are expanded under current
Orange County UDO regulations designed to
protect both the nutrient sensitive Jordan Lake
and Neuse River /Falls Lake tributary drainage
basins. Under that combined authority, the
EC /SW Division...
• Enforces Orange County's buffer requirements
and storm water water - quality mitigation
strategies with respect to improving water
quality in storm water runoff to the county's
streams.
• Their efforts apply to proposed development, as
well as existing maintenance incursions by
residents performing or wishing to perform
maintenance activities in the required buffers.
• Educational outreaches into the public schools
focused on environmental stewardship are a
regular emphasis of this Division, as well.
Priority 15: Complete stewardship and
Department of Environmental, Agricultural, Parks,
Department of Environmental, Agricultural,
and Recreation
Parks, and Recreation
management plans for Lands Legacy.
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
GOALS — 2015 UPDATE
FOR DISCUSSIONS PURPOSES
Priority 16: Develop an accounting and
assessment system of water and air
pollution: (a) In conjunction with ICLEI;
Set emissions reduction target for 2030;
Conduct public education campaign; and
Link public with opportunities to improve
energy efficiency and use sustainable energy
sources; (b) Begin multi -year
implementation of Observable Well
Network.
• Additional stewardship and management
activity has been focused on Blackwood Farm,
where repairs to farm outbuildings, the
farmhouse, and the pond and storm water
culverts have been accomplished. Scheduled
management activities such as boundary
signage and water body maintenance, continue
to occur open County parks and at future nature
Department of Environmental, Agricultural, Parks,
and Recreation
• The Commission for the Environment and
BOCC discussed their mutual interest in
updating the Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Inventory and Forecast (setting of reduction
targets, public education campaign), as was
recommended in the State of the Environment
2014 report.
• The Air and Energy Resources Committee of
the CFE is working with the County's new
Sustainability Coordinator to identify potential
actions and follow -up on the greenhouse gas
emissions inventory and forecast. This effort
will be coordinated with the towns
63
• Stewardship plans have been completed for
three future parks, nature preserves and
open space sites, with plans to complete
two additional sites in 2015.
• A program to encourage public volunteer
assistance (VPS, or Volunteer Park
Stewards) has been implemented, with
three such stewards trained to date.
Department of Environmental, Agricultural,
Parks, and Recreation
• The Orange Well Net, a network of
groundwater monitoring wells across the
county, helps monitor impact of drought on
groundwater levels across the county.
Three new wells were installed in 2014,
and another will be added in 2015.
• The State of the Environment 2014 report
updated the status and trends for various air
and water quality parameters, and included
recommendations for improvements by
County government, and the general public
as well. The Board of Commissioners
adopted a resolution in late 2014
acknowledging climate change issues and
pledging to take steps to address global
climate change and help reduce carbon
Planning and Inspections Planning and Inspections
• County - funded sampling of the Eno River, • Orange County sponsored several
where Cardno Entrix is under contract with the delegates to the 2010 International Codes
UNRBA to perform some monitoring of the Council's Energy Codes Conference in
Eno River. The County is a participant in the Charlotte, North Carolina. Delegates
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
GOALS — 2015 UPDATE
FOR DISCUSSIONS PURPOSES
Priority 24: Plan to acquire /land bank for
future park development.
Upper Neuse River Basin Association
(UNRBA) ($86K/Yr. for 3 to 5 yrs. + $IOK/yr.
last and this fiscal yr. to fund BMP evaluations
for nutrient reduction credits). The proposed
sampling locations are upstream and
downstream of each jurisdiction to determine
"contribution" to the nutrient problem(s).
Department of Environmental, Agricultural, Parks,
and Recreation (DEAPR)
• Acquisition and land - banking of identified
future park sites is one of the priorities of the
Lands Legacy Program.
• Additional lands for expansion of the soccer
center and the Upper Eno Nature Preserve
remain a priority as well, and the potential for a
joint school /park site with the City of Mebane is
also a possibility.
• The acquisition of future parks and nature
preserves will continue to be accomplished by
the leveraging of state and federal grants and
outside funding, using existing County funds.
E
represented the building industry: architect
and engineering firms, general contractors,
product manufacturers, inspections
departments, city planners, utilities
representatives, energy consultants and
raters. Participates in preparation of
Durham - Chapel Hill - Carrboro
Metropolitan Planning Organization
(MPO) Metropolitan Transportation Plans
(MTP) and related Air Quality (AQ)
Analysis and Conformity Determination
reports. The MTP identifies the highway,
transit and other transportation facilities to
be implemented in the MPO over the next
thirty years. The AQ Conformity report
demonstrates that the air pollutant
emissions from the transportation sector
represented in the MTP will not exceed
established limits.
Department of Environmental, Agricultural,
Parks, and Recreation (DEAPR)
• As of January 2015, all but one identified
future park site (Bingham District Park)
has been acquired.
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
GOALS — 2015 UPDATE
FOR DISCUSSIONS PURPOSES
65
GOALS/PRIORITIES
ONGOING EFFORTS
SPECIFIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Planning and Inspections
• Potential lands for a joint school and park in the
Mebane area have been identified. Further
coordination with Orange County Schools and
the Board of Education should occur.
Priority 25: Develop a policy /update
Department of Environmental, Agricultural, Parks,
Department of Environmental, Agricultural,
and Recreation (DEAPR)
Parks, and Recreation (DEAPR)
current plan about how parks will be
developed, appropriate ratio of parks to
• As noted in the Master Plan, population -based
• In November 2014, the Board of
population, length of time to develop, and
standards for parkland and acquisition have
Commissioners adopted a new 2030 Parks
incorporation of such into the Capital
been superseded in recent years by more of a
and Recreation Master Plan. This plan,
Investment Plan (CIP).
community needs -based assessment
along with the County's annual Capital
methodology. Population -based standards are
Investment Plans (CIP), includes a planned
now used as a benchmark and measuring stick
schedule of park construction and
for community -based standards. This approach
improvements over the next 10 -15 years.
is used in the new Master Plan.
• The Master Plan recommendations were
developed consistent with the adopted CIP, and
the Master Plan is used as a source document
for annual updates to the CIP.
Planning and Inspections
• The Parks and Recreation Master Plan has
recommended further study of two issues
(System Level of Service and Subdivision Land
Dedication /Payment -in -Lieu System) that could
affect the parks payment -in -lieu fee the County
collects on new residential development. The
plan recommended that a consultant be engaged
in the next year to conduct a thorough analysis
and recommend possible changes.
Goal Six: Ensure a high quality of life
Animal Services
Animal Services
and lifelong learning that champions
• Promotes a high quality of life and lifelong
• Especially notable is the development of a
diversity, education at all levels, libraries,
learning that champions animal welfare, among
more positive approach to animal services
parrs, recreation, and animal welfare.
other values.
on the basis of an award winning
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
GOALS — 2015 UPDATE
FOR DISCUSSIONS PURPOSES
..
GOALS/PRIORITIES
ONGOING EFFORTS
SPECIFIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• County Animal Services help to ensure a high
community spay and neuter program
quality of life, not only because animal welfare
oriented toward controlling animal intakes
is a fundamental community value in Orange
by the shelter, reducing the number of
County, but because of its effective regulation
euthanized animals, and thereby
and management of companion (and other)
controlling the County's medium and long -
animals in our communities.
term costs for "animal services.
• Worked closely with the Animal Services
Advisory Board to develop a multimodal
plan to manage free- roaming cats in
Orange County. Plan implementation
begins in 2015.
Board of Elections
• Coordinate voter registration drives in high
schools
• Attend various group meetings such as Services
for the Blind, Ruritan, High School Civics
classes, etc... as requested to provide
information and promote voting in Orange
County.
Human Resources
Human Resources
• Enhance the culture of well -being through
• Facilitate the recently formed internal
wellness initiatives and education.
committee that is charged with the
• Continue to provide employee recognition
evaluation and recommendation for an
programs to ensure the Orange County
employee recognition program.
employees are recognized for the value they
bring and have within Orange County
government.
• Maintain a competitive salary structure that
encourages employees and their families to live
and work in Orange County.
• Develop, implement and evaluate recruitment,
hiring, orientation, succession planning,
retention and organizational exit programs
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
GOALS — 2015 UPDATE
FOR DISCUSSIONS PURPOSES
necessary to ensure a workforce's ability to
achieve Orange County's organizational goals
and objectives.
• Develop, implement and evaluate activities and
programs that address employee training and
development, talent acquisition and
performance management to ensure that the
knowledge, skills, abilities and performance of
the workforce meet current and future county
and individual needs.
Aging Services
• Objective 1.3: Ensure the attention to diversity
in Department on Aging programs and
information sharing efforts.
• There are a large number of Chinese speaking
participants at the Seymour Center;
programming is offered in both languages.
• Objective 3.1: Promote wellbeing and the
prevention and maintenance of chronic disease
for all older adults in Orange County through
increased access to evidence -based programs.
• Maintain 4 -6 evidence based programs on a
regular basis. These include Chronic Disease
Self- Management, A Matter of Balance,
Arthritis, Diabetes Self- Management, and
Yoga.
• Objective 4.3: Increase older adults' ability to
protect themselves from exploitation, abuse,
and neglect.
• During May -June is Elder Abuse Awareness
Month. Materials are distributed materials on
elder abuse subject as well as purple ribbons in
honor of those who have been exploited, abused
67
Aging Services
• Grant funded bi- lingual social worker for
to assist the Chinese speaking seniors.
• Food Services Coordinator is a native
Spanish speaker.
• Instituted a Chinese Advisory Committee
as well as recruiting Chinese speaking
volunteer interpreters.
• Two off -site pilot exercise programs at
New Hope Presbyterian Church and Schley
Grange Hall. We are hoping to further
develop off -site exercise programs in the
faith based community by training
volunteer leaders.
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
GOALS — 2015 UPDATE
FOR DISCUSSIONS PURPOSES
or neglected.
• Training is offered to Project EngAGE
participants to educate them on the subject and
to be able to assist community members when
these types of issues arise.
• Objective 5.1: Promote lifelong learning of
older adults through increased access to
continuing education classes and programs
throughout the county.
• Lifelong learning is the cornerstone of Senior
Center programming. Hundreds of programs
are offered annually. The Senior Center
Program Advisory Committees play a key role
in helping develop the programs.
• Objective 6.4: Increase the capacity of the
Department on Aging to expand activities
available to older adults living in Orange
North Carolina State Cooperative Extension
• Numerous 4 -H youth programs were
implemented that included NC 4 -H Citizenship
Focus and 4H Congress, which provide
leadership development skills. 4 -H continues to
work with Scruggs Elementary School and
Cameron Park Elementary School in the
implementation of a comprehensive program
surrounding community gardens and local
foods.
• Teachers were enabled to reach the students in
their class as well as serve as teacher leaders for
their colleagues who were interested in
participating in the program next year.
.:
North Carolina State Cooperative Extension
• Each year, over 9,200 youth are engaged in
after school programs supported by CES,
4H staff. This is the time of day when
unattended youth most often commit
juvenile crime. 4H engaged 7,500 youth in
local schools, clubs, community, and
special interest groups here in Orange
County.
Family and Consumer Science has
developed the "Healthy Eating, Physical
Activity and Chronic Disease Risk
Reduction Program" which includes
Serosae Food Safety Certification, Canning
College, Eat Smart Move More Weigh
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
GOALS — 2015 UPDATE
FOR DISCUSSIONS PURPOSES
••
Less, Healthy Holidays, Good Farmers
Market Practices, Energy Conservation
Education, Technology and You, and
Estate Planning. FCS agents engaged
approximately 2,000 Orange County
residents annually.
Department of Environmental, Agricultural, Parks, Department of Environmental, Agricultural,
and Recreation (DEAPR) Parks. and Recreation (DEAPR)
Recreational program offerings also offer both
athletic and skill and artistic development
components within regularly- scheduled
seasonal activity.
Economic Development
• The Arts Commission enriches the quality of
life of Orange County citizens by helping to
develop the arts at all levels:
• Through arts education for children in our
public schools via grants for artist
performances, workshops and residencies;
• Through on -going arts information distribution
via press releases, online newsletters, website,
online searchable artist database, online arts
Environmental education and nature
programming (including events such as
Arbor Day, Earth Evening, Earth walk,
Farm -to- Table, and National Trails Day
and National Public Lands Day) have been
implemented and expanded to enhance
educational opportunities since 2009.
These events occur annually and provide
new educational venues (the Farm -to -Table
event at Blackwood Farm saw 400 school
children from both school systems learn
about agriculture and related topics, and
Earth Evening promotes awareness of an
environmental ethic and issues).
Economic Development
• Through annual participation in 4th U.S.
Congressional District High School Arts
Competition for high school visual arts
students;
Through annual co- sponsorship of
Emerging Artists Program awarding funds
and recognition to highly qualified artists
in a variety of arts disciplines;
annual co- sponsorship of
Priority 13: Plan to provide `equitable'
library services for Orange County
residents.
Priority 14: Fulfill remainder of bond
issuance approved by voters in 2001 for
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
GOALS — 2015 UPDATE
FOR DISCUSSIONS PURPOSES
70
calendar, printed publications, email, direct Piedmont Laureate Program awarding
mail, etc. funds and recognition to local writers while
promoting awareness /appreciation for
excellence in the literary arts throughout
the Piedmont region.
Library
• As part of the approved Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) between the Board of
Orange County Commissioners and the Chapel
Hill Town Council, the libraries will actively
seek opportunities for the collaboration to
improve services in the areas of collection
development, staff training, policies and
programming. Interoperability between the
libraries was discussed at the Library MOU
meeting in November 2014.
• Strengthen Partnership with Orange County
Schools - the Library and the leadership of the
Orange County schools continue to explore
opportunities to develop a mutually beneficial
partnership that further the stated
goals /initiatives of K -12 education. These
activities have included library participation in
after - school program /events, teacher and media
specialist workshops on various library
services, especially our new TUTOR.com
databases which provides 24/7 homework
assistance on all subjects.
Library
• The Library, in collaboration with other
County Departments, developed site
selection criteria for a future Southern
Branch. The BOCC, after feedback from
the Town of Carrboro Board of Alderman,
adopted the criteria on September 18,2012
and requested that the Town of Carrboro
initiate a public solicitation process and
review of properties based on the approved
criteria. The Town of Carrboro voted on
November 18, 2012 to send onto the
County three (3) properties located in the
Carrboro for review as possible library
sites. The BOCC directed staff to negotiate
with the developer of the Brewer Lane site.
• Library Strategic Plan for 2013 -2016 - Due
to the dissolution of the Hyconeechee
Regional Library system in June 2012, the
Library received a grant from the State
Library of North Carolina to hire a
consultant to conduct a Community Needs
Assessment (CNA) and develop a Strategic
Plan for future library services based on the
CNA. The plan was presented to the
BOCC in August 2013.
Department of Environmental, Agricultural,
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
GOALS — 2015 UPDATE
FOR DISCUSSIONS PURPOSES
71
GOALS/PRIORITIES
ONGOING EFFORTS
SPECIFIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS
soccer and Twin Creeks.
• The 2001 Parks and Open Space bond
funds for Twin Creeks Park and the Soccer
Superfund have been issued and
appropriated. Soccer Superfund monies
went to the Eurosport Soccer Center and to
Twin Creeks Park (the funds allocated to
Twin Creeks from Soccer Superfund were
later shifted to the new Town of Chapel
Hill Cedar Falls Park Artificial Turf Field
project, which opened in early 2014).
• Phase I of Twin Creeks Park was opened in
2011, a segment of the Jones Creek
Greenway from Morris Grove Elementary
School to the future park's southern
boundary. This was accomplished in part
with federal funding. Some of the residual
funds for Twin Creeks were reassigned in
FY 2014 -15 to other projects, such as
Blackwood Farm Park, while some funding
(approximately $250,000) remains at Twin
Creeks for future planned site management
activity.
Priority 17: Review the Schools and
Planning and Inspections
Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance: (a) Is
. Although Durham has a designated "Urban
it doing what it was originally intended to
Growth Area" with Orange County in the
do? (b) Does it have application for Durham
vicinity of the Eno Economic Development
and Mebane?
District, the City has less than 17 acres of
incorporated area within Orange County and no
ETJ.
• Only four single - family residential lots are
undeveloped. Therefore, SAPFO and the CAPS
(Certificate of Adequate Public Schools) system
have limited applicability to Durham at the
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
GOALS — 2015 UPDATE
FOR DISCUSSIONS PURPOSES
72
GOALS/PRIORITIES
ONGOING EFFORTS
SPECIFIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS
present time. If the City were to extend its ETJ
or municipal limits within Orange County, the
applicability of SAPFO /CAPS would increase.
• The City of Mebane has approximately 2,633
acres of city limits or ETJ within Orange
County and has experienced somewhat
considerable residential growth in the past
decade (with a substantial lull during the recent
recessionary period). The City has been
approached about becoming a signatory party to
SAPFO in the past but has declined to do so.
Although CAPS are not issued prior to housing
development within Mebane's jurisdiction, the
students generated from Mebane are counted in
enrollment once they are enrolled in schools
and become part of the historical enrollment
figures that are used to project future school
membership and, therefore, future capacity
needs.
• It should be noted that if capacity is not
available in schools (in accordance with the
stipulations in SAPFO), CAPS for residential
development cannot be issued, which would
stop new residential development in the
impacted school system until capacity is
available. The possibility of this scenario
happening in the past has caused much concern
among the possibly- affected local governments.
Priority 18: Address inequities between
Planning and Inspections
old and new schools. Older schools are in
• Ensuring capacity is available in accordance
need of capital improvements. Building new
with SAPFO and the School Construction
schools has been the funding priority.
Standards has been the funding priority partially
because if adequate student membership
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)
GOALS — 2015 UPDATE
FOR DISCUSSIONS PURPOSES
73
GOALS/PRIORITIES
ONGOING EFFORTS
SPECIFIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS
capacity is not available in a particular school
district, CAPS (Certificate of Adequate Public
Schools) cannot be issued. The inability to
issue CAPS would have the effect of halting
new residential development /redevelopment
(including for a single home on an infill lot)
within the impacted school system until
capacity is available.
Goal Setting Framework Example
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIOINERS (BOCC)
2015 BOCC RETREAT
SUGGESTED GOAL - SETTING PROCESS
For Discussion Purposes Only
Objective: Establish framework for setting, implementing and evaluating multi -year
goals and annual objectives as part of the annual budgeting process.
Participants:
A. BOCC -in conjunction with Manager and department directors set goals and
objectives and formally approve them as part of the budget process.
B. Department directors -identify possible goals and objectives; develop strategies
for implementation once goals and objectives are adopted.
C. Staff -assist with developing goals, objectives and strategies and take lead with
department directors in implementation and evaluate progress and report on
results periodically.
Definitions:
A. Goals - outcomes or results that organization hopes to achieve over several
years.
Example: To maintain the County's Aaa bond rating.
B. Strategies - approach or methods that the organization will adopt to implement
goals. Strategies will help with the development of specific objectives.
Example: To manage fund balance to ensure levels adequate to meet rating
agency expectations.
C. Objectives - Intermittent achievements that need to be attained in one or more
budget years to meet specific goals.
Example: To review the current financial policies for reserves to determine
whether it is consistent with credit rating expectations by September 2015.
D. Performance Measures - outcome, output, efficiency or effectiveness indicators
that the organization uses to determine if it is meeting its goals and objectives.
74
75
Process and Timeline:
1. Hold a total of three (3) four (4) hour sessions with department directors and
BOCC separately and together to refine goals and set objectives for the next budget
cycle. The sessions will include a review and update of results (including latest
performance data) and issues with current goals and objectives. (September)
2. Directors and staff develop strategies and budget proposals for the following
fiscal year. (October and November)
3. Brief Board on strategies and budget proposals in advance of budget preparation
and make modifications if necessary. (January)
4. Managers and directors set priorities for goals and objectives that will be
included in the following proposed budget. (February and March)
S. As part of the regular budget process, the Board reviews budget proposals
related to goals and objectives and makes final decisions in conjunction with budget
adoption as well as reviewing progress on goals from prior years. (May and June)
6. Results from the preceding year(s), including most recently available
performance data is compiled for next year's goal setting work sessions with
directors and Board. (July and August)
DSI COMMUNICATION spins improv and comedy
into non - traditional organizational development
• and communication training programs.
rams. g
Companies are recognizing that employees need not only the technical skills but
the interpersonal and leadership skills to ensure success. DSI COMMUNICATION
provides training to improve business skills including, but not limited to:
Sales
Raising Your Energy, Building Relationships, Listening and Questioning,
Creatively Solving the Customer's Problem
C,V.�A�° Imdll.il:
Developing Trust, Listening and Questioning, Handling Difficult Customers,
Effectively Communicating Over the Phone
Communication
Active Listening, Reading Non - Verbal Communication, Resolving Conflict,
Networking, Sharing Your Ideas
Problem olvin
,� Brainstorming, Resolving Conflict, Creatively Generating Solutions
Team Building
Building Trust and Collaboration, Being Flexible, Exploiting Positive Patterns,
Problem Solving, Resolving Conflict
Principal Zach Ward has consulted and delivered international projects for Proctor & Gamble, Comcast,
Motorola, Cisco, Glaxo SmithKline, Monster.com, Old Navy, Reality Check, Leadership Triangle, YMCA
and Duke Corporate Education and has provided comedy talent for events all across the country.
"In a business world that's
more uncertain than ever
it pays to be able to think
on your feet."
CNN EXECUTIVE EDUCATION
"Business schools are
integrating acting and
improvisation work into
the MBA curriculum as
a way to boost students'
communication and
presentation skills."
BUSINESS WEEK
76
"Intensive comedy
training can be a
boon to business."
NEWS & OBSERVER
Contact Zach Ward at (gig ) 225 -6330 to have a program customized for your organization.
umuuii i��lllll�� puumiio� iuuu�i cot m �� ��, �,
NOR 11-1 CA ROLYNTLA
FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
200 South Cameron Street
Post Office Box 8181
Hillsborough, North Carolina 27278
TO: Orange County Board of Commissioners
FROM: Paul Laughton, Deputy Director
DATE: January 22, 2015
77
Phone (919) 245 -2151
Fax (919) 644 -3324
RE: BOCC Retreat Information on Possible 2016 Bond Referendum and
Historical Information on the 2001 Bond Referendum
Over the past fiscal year, the Board of County Commissioners has discussed the need for a
future bond referendum to fund some County and school long -range capital needs. As recently
discussed by the Board of County Commissioners and both school districts (Chapel Hill —
Carrboro City Schools and Orange County Schools), part of the incentive for going forward with
a potential general obligation bond referendum is the repair, renovation, and upgrading of
existing and older school facilities.
The County maintains excellent bond ratings.
S &P — AAA
Fitch - AAA
Moody's - AAA
The issuance of debt for two of the County's largest projects most recently discussed — New
County Jail Facility and Middle School #5 for the Chapel Hill - Carrboro City School District —
total a combined $73.2 million dollars, and both projects are included in the current County
Capital Investment Plan for the fiscal years 2015 — 2020. Orange County Schools has indicated
the need for a new Elementary #8. Currently, that project is listed in Years 6 -10 in the Capital
Investment Plan, but could be a potential project for inclusion in a potential bond referendum.
Additionally, as previously mentioned, both school districts have older facility needs totaling
approximately $330 million that could potentially be addressed in part with a general obligation
bond referendum.
Additionally, in order to afford additional debt, the County would potentially have to increase the
property tax rate 2.82 cents for the new debt service. This projected tax increase would not
An Equal Opportunity /Affirmative Action Employer
www, o ra n�eco u n tin c�ov
78
include 1) any future other operating expenditure increases or 2) any future operating
expenditure increases related directly to the new facilities and schools being built.
The Board of County Commissioners will need to finalize its decisions regarding outstanding
issues such as the need for a future jail and school, and any other potential projects that would
be financed with alternative financing and an approved bond referendum. Furthermore, the
decision to start an educational campaign and appoint a Capital Needs Advisory Task Force will
need to be completed as soon as possible.
It is currently expected that projects totaling $100 million will be financed with the issuance of
general obligation or limited obligation bonds over a period not to exceed 20 years. At current
municipal bond interest rates, the total combined debt service is estimated to be $6.1.million
annually. This would represent a tax rate equivalent of 4.00 cents on the current property tax
rate. Based the County current budget and budgeted revenues, the County could afford an
additional $25,000,000 of additional general obligation debt capacity for a potential bond
referendum if General Fund revenues remain consistent. At current municipal bond interest
rates, the total combined debt service for $125 million is estimated to $ 7.6 million annually.
This would represent tax rate equivalent of 4.67 cents on the current property tax rate.
Attached to this memo is historical information related to the November 2001 Bond
Referendum. Attachment A shows the project breakdown by each component (Schools, Parks,
Recreation, and Open Space, Senior Centers, and Affordable Housing) which made up the total
$75 million Bond Referendum. Attachment 8 includes the Ballot question for each component,
as approved by the Board of Commissioners on September 4, 2001. Attachment C represents
a copy of the Sample Ballot as it appeared for the November 6, 2001 Election. Attachment D
reflects the voting results by each Ballot question, as well as information on voter turnout.
Let me know if you have any questions, or need additional information.
Compiled by Orange County Budget Office
Attachment A 8131101
79
Final November 2001 Bond Package
As Approved By Board of County Commissioners on August 30, 2001
Component
Approved Amounts
Low and Moderate Income Housing
4,000,000
Senior Centers
4,000,000
CHCCS - Renovations to Older Schools and
2,000,000
Facilities to address health /safety issues
CHCCS - New Elementary School #9
12,800,000
o
CHCCS - New Elementary School #10
12,800,000
0
U
U1
OCS - New Middle School
18,500,000
OCS - Renovations to address health /safety
900,000
issues
Total Schools
47,000,000
Joint County /Carrboro /Chapel Hill Greenway
1,750,000
Development
a)
Smith Middle School Park
250,000
a
co
Homestead Park Aquatics Center
3,500,000
c
o
Southern Community Park
2,000,000
Cedar Grove District Park
1,200,000
g
Efland- Cheeks Park (Phase II)
250,000
Fairview Park
850,000
W
0�
Soccer Super Fund
2,000,000
Ui
Eubanks Road /Old 86 Park Development
1,200,000
a.
Lands Legacy
7,000,000
Total Parkland and Open Space
20,000,000
Total
$75,000,000
Attachment B
:@
NOVEMBER i1 BALLOT QUESTIONS
Approved by Orange County Board
September 4, II
• i •• C• 1
Shall the order authorizing up to $47,000,000 of Orange County general
obligation bonds to pay capital costs of providing school facilities and paying
related costs, as adopted by the County's Board of Commissioners on September
4, 2001, be approved?
H i
Us
\ -I1 •'" \ '
Shall the order authorizing up to $20,000,000 of Orange County general
obligation bonds to pay capital costs- of providing parks, open space and
recreational facilities and paying related costs, as adopted by the County's Board
of Commissioners on September 4, 2001, be approved?
Shall the order authorizing up to $4,000,000 of Orange County general
obligation bonds to pay capital costs of providing senior centers and paying
related costs, as adopted by the County's Board of Commissioners on September
4, 2001, be approved?
• 1 I 1 i 1 •
Shall the order authorizing up to $4,000,000 of Orange County general
obligation bonds to pay capital costs of providing housing for the benefit of
persons of low and moderate income and paying related costs, as adopted by the
County's Board of Commissioners on September 4, 2001, be approved?
l :yl
:+^'J
INSTRUCTIO14S TO VOTER
S. TO VOTE IN FAVOR of the order. complelo
the ectow to the right of the word -YES'.
b, TO VOTE AGAINST 1ha order, complete the
arrow to the digit of the word "NO".
c, Mark only with pen or pencli provided by oieo-
lion official,
d. It you tour, deface orwrongiy mark this ballot,
return it and get another.
TO VOTE, COMPLETETHEARROW (S)
E
POItfrING:rO YOUR CHOICES) LIKE THIS;
ORANGE BO SY
Shall the order authorizing up to
$47,000,000. of Orange County general I
obligation bonds to pay.capitai costs of
Providing school facilities and paying I
related costs, as adopted by the
County's Board of Commissioners on
September 4, 2001, be approved?
YES 4- NO
No, 40 �I
ORANGE COUNTY BONDS. FOR, k
PARKS, RECREATION AND
OPEN SPACE �) I
Shall the order authorizing up to -'1
$20, alion o of Orange county capital general
obligation bonds to pay capital costs of:
providing parks, open space.and recre-
ational facilities and paying rotated
co t sts, as adapted by the "County's
Board of Commissioners on September I
4, 2001, be approved?
YES
NO
ORANGE COUNTY BONDS
FOR SENIOR CENTERS:
Shall the order authorizing "up to I
$4,000,000 of Orange County general
obligation bonds to pay capital costs of
providing senior center✓# and paying ,
related costs, as adopted by the
County's Board of Commissioners on I
September 4, 2001, be approved?
— YES I
- NO
ORANGE COUNTY BONDS FOR .n
LOW AND MODERATE
INCOME HOUSING .
Shalt the order authorizing up to
$4,000,000 of Orange - County .general
obligation bonds to pay capital casts. of
providing housing forthFbenefit of•per-
sons of low and moderate Income and �` it
paying related costs, as adopted by the
County's Board of Commissioners on
September 4, 2001, be approtred7 tl�� /J U17
YES '�w MG
NO " »�
COUNTY OF ORANGE
BOND REFERENDUFA
NOVEN4EE19 e, 2001 ,
chaitman, Orange County
Board of Elections
Attachment C
Attachment D
VL
November 2001 Bond Referendum Results by Ballot Question
Total Active Registered Voters 77,224
Voters 20,539
Voter Turnout 26.6%
Yes
No
Total
Yes %
No %
Schools
11,868
8,179
20,047
59.2%
40.8%
Parks and Open Space
10,915
8,988
19,903
54.8%
45.2%
Senior Centers
10,762
9,080
19,842
54.2%
45.8%
Housing Bonds
10,441
9,482
19,923
52.4%
47.6%
Total Active Registered Voters 77,224
Voters 20,539
Voter Turnout 26.6%
BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC) 83
BOARD RETREAT
JANUARY 30, 2015
For Discussion Purposes Only
HOW SHOULD ORANGE COUNTY FUND SCHOOL AND COUNTY CAPITAL PROJECTS?
BOND REFERENDUM
FUND WITHIN EXISTING TAX RATE
What are the challenges facing this option?
What are the challenges facing this option?
• Bond referenda are allowed only in
■ Affordability and Capacity impact
even election years for counties
■ Fiscally sustainable
(i.e.2016, 2018, etc.)
■ Impact on current operations
• General Assembly potential actions
■ Advantages and Disadvantages
• Affordability and Capacity impact
• Voter fatigue in wake of possible
Chapel Hill bond package
• Interest rate fluctuations
• Impact on current operations
• Advantages and Disadvantages
When should the bond referendum
happen?
■ May 2016 or November 2016
o Staff will present schedule
impacts
What process will be followed?
What process will be followed?
■ Overview of the last referendum
Included in the traditional Capital
process as well as voting results will
Investment Plan (CIP) process
be presented by staff
o Determine process
• Determine process
parameters for funding
parameters for funding
eligibility
eligibility
o Community Input during the
• Cost in ad dollars and time to
Budget Public Hearings
promote previously
Will there be a Bond Referendum Advisory
Committee? If yes:
• Composition
• Appointment process for Advisory
Committee members
• Process for interest groups to
request funds
• Community Input
• Public outreach responsibility
Board of Orange County Commissioners
Board of Orange County Commissioners
(BOCC) capital projects?
(BOCC) capital projects?
■ List priorities
List priorities (same or different with
bond)
X,
COPY
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: March 15, 2011
Action Agenda
Item No. .4
SUBJECT: Process for a Member of the Board of Commissioners to Place an Item on a
Meeting Agenda
DEPARTMENT: Board of Commissioners PUBLIC HEARING: (YIN) No
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Excerpt from February 8, 2011 Draft BOCC Clerk's Office, 245 -2130
Minutes
PURPOSE: To approve the process for a member of the Board of Commissioners to place an
item on a Board meeting agenda.
BACKGROUND: The Rules of Procedures for the Board of County Commissioners currently
address the process for a commissioner to request an item be placed on a Board meeting
agenda. Section V reads as follows:
V. Agenda
Rule 9. Agenda. (a) The county manager shall prepare the agenda for each regular, special and
emergency meeting subject to review and approval by the chair and vice- chair. A request to have an item
of business placed on the agenda must be received by 12 noon, Monday of the week prior to the
meeting. Any board member may, by a timely request, have an item placed on the agenda.
At its February 8, 2011 work session, the Board discussed changes to this process and agreed
by consensus "that petitions by the Commissioners would be after Public Comments. The
Board agreed that the petition could be either stated orally or in written form and there is not a
vote but it just goes through the process of review by the Chair/Vice Chair/Manager. Each
Board member will be given three minutes total for petitions."
The full text excerpt from the February 8, 2011 draft minutes is attached.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board approve the change to the
process for a member of the Board of Commissioners to place an item on a Board meeting
agenda as outlined above and direct staff to incorporate the necessary changes into the
Board's Rules of Procedure and the agenda facesheets for regular Board meetings.
EXCERPT FROM February 8, 2011 BOCC MEETING — DRAFT MINUTES
3. Discussion on the Process for a Member of the Board of Commissioners to Place
an Item on a Board Meeting Agenda
Chair Pelissier said that there is a Board of County Commissioners' procedure
that addresses this already, but it is not followed regularly. The normal procedure is to
petition each other during County Commissioners' comments and ask to have an item
placed on an agenda. She does not think that this is a perfect process. She said that
only one Commissioner should not be able to put something on the agenda because it
requires a lot of staff time.
Commissioner Hemminger said that she does not like the prior policy because it
is not a public arena and if you bring it up at meeting, then Board members can weigh in
and then follow the same process as above. She said that this needs to be public and it
should go through the process as items brought forth by the public. .
Chair Pelissier asked if everyone agreed that these items should be brought up
at public meetings. Everyone but Commissioner Gordon agreed.
Commissioner Gordon said that she would like to have some kind of balance
between being hit with something at a meeting and having it submitted in a timely
process for agenda review. A lot of times the County Commissioners' comments are
late at night.
Commissioner Jacobs said that he does have a strong feeling on how a
Commissioner puts an item on the agenda. He said that a Commissioner should not be
put to a higher standard than the public.
Commissioner McKee agreed with Commissioner Jacobs. He said that if there
was an item that was not necessarily popular with the rest of the Board, then it would
never be on an agenda if there was a vote.
Frank Clifton said that his career has not always been with a Board such as this
that is very cooperative and works together. He said that you have to be careful with
saying that any Board member can bring an agenda item because a future Board could
be more divisive.
Chair Pelissier said that her concern is that there would be items that two County
Commissioners want that would take up an enormous amount of staff time. It was noted
that perhaps there should be a consideration of whether the request would fake more
than two hours of staff time.
Commissioner Jacobs said that he has no problem going to the Chair, Vice -
Chair, and Manager for review, but he feels very strongly about anything that puts the
County Commissioners to a higher standard than the public.
Commissioner Hemminger suggested having County Commissioners bring up
these items during public comment.
Commissioner Foushee said that it would be helpful to institute a section in the
meetings for the County Commissioners to bring forth petitions as does the public. It
would follow the same process,
Commissioner Yuhasz agreed with Commissioner Foushee and Commissioner
Jacobs, but he thinks that the number of petitions that any individual Commissioner can
bring at any one meeting should be limited. He thinks that it should come immediately
after the public comments.
Chair Pelissier asked if there was consensus to create a new item on the agenda
that would be called "Petitions by the Board of County Commissioners ", and the same
process would be used that is used for requests from the public, which is to refer it to the
Chair, Vice- Chair, and Manager for review.
F.U.
Commissioner Gordon -asked about the form that the County Commissioners
would bring these items forward. She asked when it would be appropriate for a
Commissioner to ask about something that had already been brought up before. She
would think that in that case it would be under Board Comments.
The consensus is that petitions by the Commissioners would be after Public
Comments. The Board agreed that the petition could be either stated orally or in written
form and there is not a vote but it just goes through the process of review by the
Chair/Vice Chair /Manager. Each Board member will be given three minutes total for
petitions.
Commissioner Yuhasz said that he does not want this process to preclude the
possibility of asking for more information on an item.
This new standard will be brought forth in writing to the Board, for the Board's
review and approval.
COPY
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: March 15, 2011
87
Action Agenda
Item No. 4-- - K
SUBJECT: Process Regarding the Board Addressing a Request from the Public to Place an
Item on a Regular Board Meeting Agenda
DEPARTMENT: Board of Commissioners PUBLIC HEARING: (YIN) I No
ATTACHMENT(S):
Excerpt from February 8, 2011 Draft BOCC
Minutes
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Clerk's Office, 245 -2130
PURPOSE: To approve a process regarding the Board addressing a request from the public to
place an item on a regular Board meeting agenda.
BACKGROUND: At its February 8, 2011 work session, the Board discussed a process
regarding the Board addressing a request from the public to place an item on a regular Board
meeting agenda. The excerpt from February 8, 2011 DRAFT minutes is attached.
Based on Board discussion at the meeting, staff proposes that the following language be
incorporated into the agenda facesheet for regular Board meetings and into the Board's Rules
of Procedure as appropriate:
Public Comments - Matters Not on the Printed Agenda
Petitions /Resolutions /Proclamations and other similar requests submitted by the public will not
be acted upon by the Board of Commissioners at the time presented. All such requests will be
referred for Chair/Vice Chair /Manager review and for recommendations to the full Board at a
later date regarding a) consideration of the request at a future regular Board meeting, or b)
receipt of the request as information only. Submittal of information to the Board or receipt of
information by the Board does not constitute approval, endorsement, or consent.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board approve the incorporation of
the language above into the agenda facesheet for regular Board meetings and into the Board's
Rules of Procedure as appropriate.
W.,
Excerpt from the February 8, 2009 DRAFT BOCC Meeting Minutes
Discussion __ on the Process for the Public to Place an Item on a„ Reaular Board Meeting
Chair Pelissier said that several times individuals have petitioned the Board to
put an item on the regular agenda. The Board needs to discuss how to respond to the
public about these types of requests.
Commissioner Yuhasz agreed that there needs to be a process. He suggested
having a standard policy with a subcommittee of this Board to evaluate these proposals.
Commissioner Hemminger said that this came up on the school board, and there
were guidelines that a board member would have to champion the item and there would
have to be a majority vote to pursue the item. She thinks that the subcommittee would
require a lot of staff time.
Commissioner Jacobs said that he appreciated Commissioner Yuhasz's attempt
to organize this. He tends to support all public requests just because they are asking,
except for Confederate Memorial Day. He said that he would be willing to have a
process to refer it to staff and the Chair and Vice -Chair to discuss at agenda review, and
report back whether there is sufficient information to move forward or decline.
Commissioner McKee said he feels like one of the reasons the County
Commissioners are here is that the public can bring these items to the Board. He
supported Commissioner Hemminger's suggestion to refer to staff by a vote at a
meeting. If the Board chose not to refer it to staff, then so be it.
Frank Clifton said that one of the difficulties they find with this issue is that
whoever brings the Board of County Commissioners an item has already made up their
mind about something, or the information is erroneous and out of context. To verify or
do the research does take some time in these cases.
Commissioner Gordon said that currently there is a subcommittee of the Chair,
Vice - Chair, and Manager. She suggested that items be voted to refer to this
subcommittee to work through the process.
Chair Pelissier said that these citizens need a response back from the Board in
some way or another. She would like to include a way to communicate back to the
individual.
Commissioner Hemminger said that this is what she likes about taking the vote to
refer it to the staff because the public hears a response.
Commissioner Yuhasz agreed with having a clear process. He does not think
that there necessarily needs to be a motion and a second to refer to staff. His concern is
that some of the motions that the Board has made has included a motion to study the
issue and bring it back to the Board at a specific date. He does not necessarily want
this. Some responses can be made in a letter. He would rather have a specific process.
Commissioner Jacobs said that he personally agreed with Commissioner McKee
about the importance of listening to the citizens. He said that Matters Not on the Printed
Agenda is one of the few places that are unstructured and he likes this, He recognizes
the need for order. He said that almost always the Chair refers these items to staff with
the understanding that it will come back to the Board with a recommendation on how to
proceed. He said that there ought to be some opportunity for a County Commissioner to
bring the issue back up if they do not agree.
Frank Clifton said that when the Board refers an item to the staff, that generally
means that there will be some staff time involved to research. This means it will be on
an agenda in the future, either as a report or something with further direction.
M-1
Commissioner Foushee said that she thinks that all of the County
Commissioners recognize their role as listeners and advocates, but there are limited
resources to provide for every petition that comes forward. She asked that staff
recommend a process of determining how the items go through the process. This might
save some time. She said that there would have to be a set of standards that would
determine how this item moves forward or not.
Chair Pelissier agreed and said that the County Commissioners need to balance
out the requests against how much staff time it would take and the resources available.
She said that rather than voting on items that come forward, they could just refer it to the
Chair, Vice - Chair, and Manager because if there is a vote, then some people tend to
think that something will be an agenda item for sure.
Commissioner Foushee said that it would be easier to put this in writing and then
review it as a Board.
The Board agreed to have something in writing about this process and then the
Board would review and approve the process.
Frank Clifton said that he could do a quick survey about how other_ local
governments deal with this.
Commissioner Hemminger said that all petitions should be presented at a public
meeting and not just mailed in, etc. It needs to be part of the public process.
Chair Pelissier agreed with this.
We
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
ADVISORY BOARD POLICY
SECTION I: SCOPE
A. Purpose
1. To establish a policy and procedures whereby the Orange County Board of
Commissioners will make appointments to public advisory boards, committees,
commissions, and councils (hereinafter "advisory boards ").
B. Authority
1. North Carolina General Statute 153A -76 grants boards of county commissioners the
authority to establish advisory boards.
2. The Orange County Board of Commissioners may establish rules and regulations in
reference to managing the interest and business of the County.
3. The Orange County Board of Commissioners has the responsibility to appoint
residents to serve as members of advisory boards established by the
Commissioners.
4. Orange County department directors and staff are responsible for providing support
to the advisory boards.
C. Policy and Periodic Review
1. This Advisory Board Policy establishes some parameters for:
a. Appointments to state - mandated, regional, and /or county - developed
advisory boards.
b. Removals from such advisory boards.
c. Quorum and voting standards.
d. A code of general conduct for advisory board members.
e. Other aspects of advisory board service the Orange County Board of
Commissioners wishes to address.
2. Periodic Review
a. Periodic review of this Advisory Board Policy will be conducted every five (5)
years by the Orange County Board of Commissioners.
b. This Advisory Board Policy may be changed or adjusted as deemed
necessary by the Orange County Board of Commissioners regardless of
whether it is scheduled for a review.
D. Applicability
1. To the extent it does not conflict with the statute or ordinance creating a specific
advisory board, where applicable, this Advisory Board Policy applies to the following
Orange County advisory boards, policies, commissions, and councils:
a. Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee
b. Advisory Board on Aging
c. Affordable Housing Advisory Board
d. Agricultural Preservation Board
e. Animal Services Advisory Board
f. Arts Commission
Adopted 2 -21 12; Amended 8- 21 -12; Amended 11 -8 -12
91
g. Commission for the Environment
h. Economic Development Commission
i. Board of Equalization and Review
J. Historic Preservation Commission
k. Human Relations Commission
I. Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee
m. Orange County Board of Adjustment
n. Orange County Parks and Recreation Council
o. Orange County Planning Board
p. Orange Unified Transportation Board
q. Visitor's Bureau
2. Except as otherwise provided herein or through a specific advisory board policy this
Advisory Board Policy shall control the appointment, reporting, operation and other
requirements of the advisory boards listed above except to the extent the same are
controlled by a specific statute or ordinance. In those cases, as noted above, where
a statute or ordinance controls the requirements of the advisory board and the
terms of this Advisory Board Policy conflict with the terms of the statute or
ordinance the statute or ordinance shall prevail.
SECTION II: DUTIES
A. Community Contact
1. Advisory boards, through their membership and subcommittees, shall maintain
contact with stakeholder groups. In this manner, the advisory board is kept
apprised of current information related to matters under the jurisdiction of Orange
County.
B. Primary Responsibilities
1. Individual advisory boards shall maintain awareness of their goals and objectives as
those goals are related to the Orange County Board of Commissioners' adopted
overall goals and objectives for Orange County.
2. All actions or recommendations of the advisory board shall be communicated to the
Orange County Board of Commissioners as provided herein.
SECTION III: MEMBERSHIP
A. Authority
1. North Carolina General Statute 153A -76 grants boards of county commissioners the
authority to establish advisory boards and to appoint members to and remove
members from those advisory boards. In acting on this authority the Orange County
Board of Commissioners hereby establishes certain general conditions to which
applicants and members of advisory boards should conform.
a. All members of standing, statutory boards must meet the qualifications for
the specific statutory requirements for an appointed position.
b. All boards members must be eighteen (18) years of age or older unless
applying for a youth- designated position.
Adopted 2 -21 12; Amended 8- 21 -12; Amended 11 -8 -12
92
c. All board members shall be residents of Orange County and shall maintain
their domicile in Orange County unless they are under eighteen (18) years of
age and applying for a youth- designated position. The Clerk shall confirm
applicants are residents of Orange County and maintain their domicile in
Orange County.
u. Domicile is defined as one's permanent established home as
distinguished from one's temporary although actual place of
residence.
d. All board members shall have good reputations for integrity and an interest
in community service.
e. No nominee to a board shall be currently employed by Orange County
government and serve on a board that directly affects their work.
f. No nominee may currently be a party to or be the actual legal
representative in litigation against Orange County. The Clerk shall confirm
nominees are not involved in such litigation.
g. Each nominee must be prepared and committed to participate in advisory
board work in a manner that enhances relationships between the county
and the community.
h. Advisory board members shall owe no outstanding taxes at the time of
appointment.
i. All board members are representatives of the Orange County Board of
Commissioners and shall conduct themselves, both in their official actions
and personal actions so as to be above reproach in their conduct and shall
not bring disrepute to either the County or the Commissioners.
J. The Orange County Board of Commissioners may waive any of the
conditions within this section, with the exception of statutorily imposed
conditions.
B. Composition
1. The Orange County Board of Commissioners shall appoint all voting and nonvoting
ex officio members to advisory boards. The Orange County Board of Commissioners
shall endeavor to appoint members who represent the ethnic, cultural,
demographic, and geographic diversity of the community.
C. Selection Criteria
1. Appointed members, except for ex officio members, shall be qualified by the Clerk
to the Board of County Commissioners.
2. Members shall be appointed from applicants whose properly filed and submitted
applications were submitted to the Clerk to the Board of Orange County.
D. Appointment
1. All members of advisory boards serve at the pleasure of the Orange County Board of
Commissioners.
2. Appointments to advisory boards will be initiated with a public application process
from individuals, advisory boards, or community and professional organizations.
3. All appointments to advisory boards will be made by the Orange County Board of
Commissioners.
Adopted 2 -21 12; Amended 8- 21 -12; Amended 11 -8 -12
93
a. The Orange County Board of Commissioners may elect to interview
applicants to certain advisory boards.
b. In the event the Orange County Board of Commissioners conducts such
interviews the advisory board to which the applicant seeks appointment
may identify and suggest interview questions to the Orange County Board of
Commissioners.
4. No person appointed to an Orange County advisory board shall serve on that board
for more than two consecutive terms of three years each.
5. The Orange County Board of Commissioners may direct the Clerk to the Board of
County Commissioners to establish an orientation program for certain advisory or
other boards.
6. Extension of a member's term may be approved by the Orange County Board of
Commissioners if it is determined that it is in the best interest of Orange County to
allow an individual to continue to serve.
E. Term
1. Each appointed advisory board member shall hold office until the qualification and
appointment of his or her successor or until one year has elapsed since the
expiration of the term for which the member was appointed, whichever first occurs.
No person shall serve as an appointed member of an advisory board for more than
two consecutive terms of three years.
2. In order to establish staggered terms the original voting members of the advisory
board shall be appointed as follows:
a. One- third for a one year term.
b. One -third for a two year term.
c. One third for a three year term.
d. Thereafter, each newly appointed voting member shall serve for a three
yearterm.
3. Advisory board members whose terms are due to expire may request they be
appointed to a second term or be asked to accept a second term appointment to
the position.
4. Notwithstanding section III(E)(1) above the membership of any advisory board
member whom the Orange County Board of Commissioners decline to appoint to a
second term shall immediately terminate upon the expiration of their term.
5. Advisory board members may not serve concurrently on more than two (2) Orange
County advisory boards. This restriction does not impact an individual's service on
boards and commissions that are not Orange County advisory boards or short term
task forces or work groups.
F. Resignation
1. If a member wishes to resign, the member shall submit the resignation in writing to
the Chair of the advisory board on which the member serves and the Clerk to the
Board of Orange County Commissioners, noting the effective date of the
resignation.
2. The advisory board Chair will forward a copy of the resignation to the Clerk to the
Board of Orange County Commissioners.
3. The Orange County Board of Commissioners may recognize the individual's service
via a letter or certificate.
Adopted 2 -21 12; Amended 8- 21 -12; Amended 11 -8 -12
M,
4. An announcement of the open seat will be made at the time the resignation
becomes effective.
G. Vacancies
1. Upon the expiration of the term of service of members or should a vacancy
otherwise occur, the Orange County Board of Commissioners shall have the
responsibility of selecting and appointing new members to the advisory board.
H. Removal
1. Members of Orange County's advisory boards serve at the pleasure of the Orange
County Board of Commissioners and may be removed for any reason or no reason
with or without cause.
2. Members of Orange County's advisory boards are expected to abide by the highest
ethical and professional standards.
3. In addition to Section III(H)(1) above, the Orange County Board of Commissioners
shall remove any member of an advisory board for neglect of duty, nonparticipation
that becomes problematic to the advisory board's functioning and purpose. Neglect
of duty and nonparticipation are defined as follows:
a. Missing three (3) consecutive meetings; or
b. Missing twenty -five percent (25 %) of meetings within any twelve (12)
month period.
c. For this section III(H)(3) to apply, the missed meetings in question must be
unexcused.
4. The advisory board Chair shall notify a member if the member is at risk of being
removed pursuant to section III(H)(3).
5. The advisory board Chair shall notify the Clerk to the Board of Orange County
Commissioners if a member has violated section III(H)(3).
Release from Service
1. When it is deemed necessary by the Orange County Board of Commissioners to
release a member from his or her term of appointment on an advisory board, the
affected individual shall be notified by the Clerk to the Board of County
Commissioners by letter and /or electronic mail.
2. When an advisory board has completed its function, the members shall be informed
of the completion of their service and the termination of the advisory board by
letter and /or electronic mail.
SECTION IV. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
A. Members
1. Members shall attend meetings of the advisory board, serve on subcommittees, and
perform other functions as assigned by the advisory board chair with the approval
of the advisory board.
2. If a member is unable to attend a meeting the member shall contact the Chair or
designated staff as much in advance of the scheduled meeting as possible.
3. Ex officio members may be appointed by the Orange County Board of
Commissioners for the purpose of meeting subject matter expertise needs. Ex
officio members are nonvoting members of the advisory board.
Adopted 2 -21 12; Amended 8- 21 -12; Amended 11 -8 -12
95
4. Upon review of the above matters, the Orange County advisory board shall address
recommendations and concerns, if any, to the Orange County Board of
Commissioners in writing.
B. Advisory Board
1. The Orange County Board of Commissioners will consider all advisory board
recommendations and /or concerns.
a. Should any concerns remain unresolved after a response has been received
from the advisory board, the Orange County Board of Commissioners may
request that the matter be referred to the County Manager.
2. To enhance trust between Orange County Government and the community, Orange
County advisory boards shall:
b. Assist the staff of Orange County in achieving a greater understanding of the
nature and causes of community issues, with an emphasis on improving
relations between the department and the residents.
c. Recommend methods to encourage and develop the advisory board's ability
to accomplish their work.
d. Work throughout the community to gain relevant information about
advisory board issues and communicate these to the staff of Orange County
and the Orange County Board of Commissioners.
e. Promote public awareness of contemporary issues Orange County must
address to achieve the Orange County Board of Commissioners' goals and
priorities.
C. Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary
1. Selection
i. Election
1. Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary shall be elected by the advisory
board unless otherwise specified by the Board of Commissioners.
2. Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary shall be elected to one -year terms.
3. Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary shall serve no more than three
consecutive one -year terms.
4. Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary shall assume office on the date of
their election. At the first advisory board meeting upon assuming
office the advisory board Chair or department staff shall present
members with a copy of the advisory board's charge, scope of
authority, membership responsibilities, and code of conduct.
2. Responsibilities
i. The advisory board Chair:
1. Calls all meetings.
2. Serves as the presiding officer and conducts advisory board
meetings.
3. Is the Authorized spokesperson for the advisory board.
4. Assists staff in developing the advisory board meeting agenda.
5. Appoints and dissolves subcommittees, and the Chair and members
thereof, of the body in consultation and with approval of the
advisory board.
6. Sets goals for the advisory board in consultation with the Orange
County Board of Commissioners.
Adopted 2 -21 12; Amended 8- 21 -12; Amended 11 -8 -12
.X
7. Carries out advisory board assignments as required by the Orange
County Board of Commissioners.
8. Reviews all advisory board minutes and proposed recommendations
or assigns another member of the advisory board to do so.
9. May excuse members from attending advisory board meetings up
to two (2) times per twelve (12) month period.
ii. The advisory board Vice Chair:
1. Serves as the presiding officer and conducts advisory board
meetings in the absence of the Chair.
2. Has all the responsibilities of the Chair in the Chair's absence.
iii. The advisory board Secretary:
1. Takes (or oversees the taking of) minutes for all advisory board
meetings.
2. Submits minutes to the Chair to be distributed to advisory board
members in advance of meetings.
3. Submits approved advisory board minutes to the Clerk to the
Orange County Board of Commissioners for retention and
distribution to the Orange County Board of Commissioners.
4. Assures that other records of the advisory board are kept as
directed by the Chair or the Orange County Board of
Commissioners.
iv. Removal:
1. The Chair, Vice Chair and /or Secretary may be replaced at any time
by the Orange County Board of Commissioners.
SECTION V. ORGANIZATION
A. Orientation and Training
1. Orange County will make available for advisory board members and department
staff periodic training on state and /or county goals and priorities as well as relevant
statutes and policies, including open meetings, public records, conflicts of interest
and ethics.
2. Each member shall attend an orientation to familiarize the advisory board members
with the operation of County government, applicable department rules, and the
operating procedures of the advisory board.
a. The Chair and Vice Chair, if newly elected, shall attend an additional
orientation to familiarize themselves with the duties and responsibilities of
the Chair and Vice Chair and the guidelines for conducting meetings.
3. Each voting member will be encouraged to complete the orientation within the time
frame established by the policy of the specific advisory board to which they have
been appointed.
4. Advisory board members will be issued a manual and should become familiar with
its contents.
B. Operating Expenses
1. Members, when in service on the board, are not employees of Orange County.
Adopted 2 -21 12; Amended 8- 21 -12; Amended 11 -8 -12
97
2. Members serve in a voluntary capacity and shall receive monetary compensation or
reimbursement only per standard county policy and with Orange County Board of
Commissioners approval.
3. Members shall receive no financial or employee benefits from the County unless
authorized by another section of this policy and specifically approved by the Orange
County Board of Commissioners.
4. The County will provide office supplies and assume responsibility for other
reasonable expenses necessary for the operation of the board.
C. Confidentiality
1. The Chair shall serve as the spokesperson for the advisory board.
2. Except for the Chair, no member of the advisory board shall make any written or
oral statement of any confidential matter to any individual, business, or agency. A
violation of this section will result in that member's immediate removal from the
advisory board.
3. Members of the advisory board may receive information regarding personnel
matters and other information of a sensitive or confidential nature. It shall be the
duty and responsibility of each member to respect and maintain the confidentiality
of client issues presented before the board. Neither the advisory board nor any
individual member shall disseminate confidential information received during
advisory board meetings.
4. Advisory board members may be required to sign confidentiality statements as
necessary and will be removed from the advisory board upon violation of the
confidentiality agreement.
SECTION VI. MEETINGS
A. Regular Meetings
1. All meetings are to be open to the public as required by the applicable North
Carolina General Statutes.
2. Unless otherwise specified, public meetings will follow the standard rules of
procedure defined by the Orange County Board of Commissioners.
3. The advisory board members shall determine the date, time, and place for each
meeting, consistent with the guidelines below.
a. Regular advisory board and subcommittee meetings.
i. The advisory board convenes upon call of the Chair and meets on
schedule as established by the specific advisory board policy.
ii. Subcommittee meeting dates shall be set by the subcommittee
Chairs and shall be scheduled in conjunction with advisory board
meetings.
iii. A schedule of all meeting dates, times, and places shall be properly
posted in accord with North Carolina Law and delivered to the Clerk
to the Board.
B. Special Meetings
Adopted 2 -21 12; Amended 8- 21 -12; Amended 11 -8 -12
E-11
1. A majority of advisory board members or the Chair may call special meetings at any
time for any specific business. Special meetings shall be convened at a location
selected by the Chair.
2. All called special meetings shall be noticed in accord with North Carolina Law and
delivered to the Clerk to the Board.
C. Emergency Meetings
1. A majority of advisory board members or the Chair may call a meeting in emergency
circumstances by providing telephone notice to media outlets at least one hour
prior to the meeting.
2. An emergency situation includes a disaster that severely impairs the public's health
or safety. In the event telephone services are not working, notice that the meetings
occurred must be given as soon as possible after the meeting in accord with North
Carolina Law and by delivery to the Clerk to the Board.
D. Notice of Meetings Generally
1. Notice of advisory board meetings, including public hearings and appeals if
applicable, and agendas shall be made available to all members and interested
parties, and to any person who requests such notice, at least ten (10) days in
advance of the meeting by e-mail and by posting on the Orange County government
website.
2. All applicable notice requirements established by North Carolina law shall be
followed.
3. Prior to January 5t" of each calendar year the Board shall cause a schedule of its
meetings to be posted in a readily accessible location. Such schedule shall be
delivered to the Clerk to the Board of Commissioners for posting to the Orange
County website.
E. Agendas
1. Board members and /or staff members shall submit agenda items to the Chair and
staff for consideration at least fifteen (15) days prior to a scheduled meeting.
2. The agenda must provide a description of each item of business to be transacted or
discussed so that interested members of the public will be capable of understanding
the nature of each agenda item.
3. As a general rule, only those items appearing on the agenda will be discussed or
voted on. However, if an item is raised by a member of the public, the advisory
board may accept public comment and discuss the item so long as no action is taken
until a subsequent meeting.
4. With the Chair's agreement, the designated staff will develop and distribute to each
member an agenda listing the matters to be considered at upcoming advisory board
meetings. Also, so far as practicable, copies of all written reports that are to be
presented to the advisory board for members' review will be included in this
package at least ten (10) days before the meeting.
5. All recommendations and reports of the advisory board, approved in the form of
motions, shall be conveyed exclusively to the Orange County Board of
Commissioners for consideration, approval or denial. Outcomes are reported back
to the advisory board.
Adopted 2 -21 12; Amended 8- 21 -12; Amended 11 -8 -12
••
F. Minutes
1. Minutes shall be taken of all advisory board meetings and submitted to the Clerk to
the Board of Orange County Commissioners for retention and distribution to the
Orange County Board of Commissioners.
SECTION VII. SUBCOMMITTEES
A. Purpose and Formation
1. Subcommittees may be formed by the advisory board to research and make special
recommendations on special issues or areas in order to carry out the duties of the
advisory board.
2. All subcommittees shall be reviewed by the appointing body on an annual basis to
determine continued need and realignment with the priorities of the advisory
board.
3. Approved subcommittees must have documented goals, deliverables, and a
timeline. The subcommittee will cease to meet when these are satisfied.
4. The advisory board Chair may request that the Orange County Board of
Commissioners change the structure and /or operating procedures of the advisory
board if he or she deems it essential for improving the board's productivity and
effectiveness.
5. A subcommittee can be formed with the approval of the advisory board chair and
majority vote of the advisory board.
6. Subcommittees shall operate as directed by the advisory board.
B. Procedure and Membership
1. A member of the subcommittee shall take responsibility for taking minutes of
subcommittee meetings and shall report to the advisory board the subcommittee's
progress toward its stated objectives, including dissenting viewpoints.
2. Subcommittees shall operate by majority vote.
3. Subcommittees may request a technical representative be approved by the County
Manager.
4. Subcommittees shall operate openly as defined by applicable North Carolina State
law and local ordinances and policies.
5. Membership on subcommittees shall be voluntary unless the specific advisory board
policy dictates otherwise.
SECTION VIII. QUORUM AND VOTING
A. Quorum
1. A quorum for a meeting of an advisory board and any subcommittee thereof shall
consist of a majority of the number of appointed members. Vacant positions are
not counted when determining if a quorum is present.
2. Members who teleconference into the meeting may not be counted present for
purposes of a quorum.
B. Voting
1. Unless otherwise required by law, all decisions shall be reached by a simple majority
vote.
Adopted 2 -21 12; Amended 8- 21 -12; Amended 11 -8 -12
100
2. All voting will be conducted in open meetings, except when in closed session where
such closed session is permitted by North Carolina law.
3. No issues can be voted upon unless a quorum is present.
4. Only appointed members can vote at advisory board meetings.
5. Appointed members shall not delegate their vote to another member.
6. The Chair of the advisory board may participate and vote on all issues.
7. Voting by proxy is not authorized and shall not be allowed.
8. Members may not abstain from voting but where a member has a conflict of
interest the member may be excused by majority vote of the advisory board.
9. Members of advisory boards must be physically present to vote.
10. Individuals appointed as ex officio members of the advisory board are not
authorized to vote on any issue before the advisory board.
SECTION IX. ETHICS
A. Conflict of Interest
1. During advisory board meetings, a member shall immediately disclose any potential
conflict of interest and request to be excused from voting when he or she has a
conflict of interest.
2. During appeal proceedings, the applicant has the right to question the interest of
any voting member. The advisory board chair should consult with the County
Attorney or staff attorney on any potential conflict of interest in appeal matters.
3. In determining from existing facts and circumstances whether a conflict of interest
exists the determining party shall consider the facts and circumstances as would an
ordinary and reasonable person exercising prudence, discretion, intelligence, and
due care.
B. Gifts
1. An advisory board member shall not directly or indirectly ask, accept, demand,
exact, solicit, seek, assign, receive, or agree to receive any gift or honorarium for the
advisory board member, or for another person, in return for being influenced in the
discharge of the advisory board member's official responsibilities.
2. This section shall not apply to gifts or awards authorized by Orange County Policies,
Resolutions, or Ordinances.
C. Code of Ethics
1. Advisory board members should act with integrity and with independence from
improper influence as they exercise the functions of their offices. Characteristics
and behaviors that are consistent with this standard are:
a. Adhering firmly to a code of sound values.
b. Behaving consistently and with respect towards everyone with whom they
interact.
c. Exhibiting trustworthiness.
d. Living as if they are on duty as appointed officials regardless of where they
are or what they are doing.
e. Using their best independent judgment to pursue the common good as they
see it, presenting their opinions to all in a reasonable, forthright, consistent
manner.
Adopted 2 -21 12; Amended 8- 21 -12; Amended 11 -8 -12
101
f. Remaining incorruptible, self - governing, and not subject to improper
influence, while at the same time being able to consider the opinions and
ideas of others.
g. Disclosing contacts and information about issues that they receive outside
of public meetings, and refraining from seeking or receiving information
about quasi - judicial matters outside of the quasi - judicial proceedings
themselves.
h. Treating other advisory boards and advisory board members and the public
with respect, and honoring the opinions of others even when they disagree.
i. Being careful not to reach conclusions on issues until all sides have been
heard.
j. Showing respect for their appointed office and not behaving in ways that
reflect badly on the office, the advisory board, Orange County, or the
Orange County Board of Commissioners.
k. Recognizing that they are part of a larger group and acting accordingly.
I. Recognizing that individual board members are not generally allowed to act
on behalf of the board, but may only do so if the board specifically so
authorizes, and that the board must take official action as a body.
m. Being faithful in the performance of the duties of their offices.
n. Acting as especially responsible residents whom others can trust and
respect.
o. Faithfully attending and preparing for meetings.
p. Carefully analyzing all credible information that is properly submitted to
them, and when applicable, being mindful of the need not to engage in
communications outside the meeting in quasi - judicial matters.
q. Being willing to bear their fair share of the board's workload.
r. To the extent appropriate, they should be willing to put the board's
interests ahead of their own and shall avoid the appearance of a conflict of
interest and shall, under no circumstances, use their position on any board
for personal gain or profit.
2. Members of the Planning Board, Board of Adjustment, Economic Development
Commission, and Board of Equalization and Review shall upon initial appointment,
and prior to December 31 annually thereafter, disclose:
a. Any interest he or she or his or her spouse or domestic partner has in real
property situated in whole or in part in Orange County and the general
description of that property.
b. Any legal, equitable, beneficial or contractual interest he or she or his or her
spouse or domestic partner has in any business, firm or corporation, which
is currently doing business with Orange County pursuant to contracts
awarded by Orange County, or which is attempting, or has attempted in the
past calendar year, to secure the award of a bid from Orange County or the
approval of any Board or Agency of Orange County.
c. Failure to file a disclosure statement setting out the above required
information shall result in immediate removal of the member from the
applicable board.
SECTION X. COMPENSATION AND TRAVEL REIMBURSEMENT
Adopted 2 -21 12; Amended 8- 21 -12; Amended 11 -8 -12
102
A. Compensation
1. As a general rule advisory board service is voluntary and appointed members shall
receive no form of compensation for their services.
2. However, should the Orange County Board of Commissioners determine, in its sole
discretion, that an advisory board's members should be compensated, such
compensation shall be addressed in that advisory board's specific policy and rules of
procedure as adopted by the Commissioners.
B. Travel Expense Reimbursement
1. The Chair shall, to the extent practicable, schedule all hearings and advisory board
meetings to minimize travel and per diem costs.
2. Payment of expenses to advisory board members shall occur only when travel has
been approved by the County Manager prior to the time the expenses are incurred.
3. Orange County shall reimburse reasonable and necessary travel and incidental
business expenses from pre- approved travel to advisory board members
4. Advisory board members shall be reimbursed in accordance with current local
and /or state rules and regulations. Expense claims shall be submitted as required
pursuant to the Orange County travel policy.
5. Transportation expense claims shall include charges essential for transportation to
and from the meeting place. Reimbursement shall be made only for the local
government's standard mileage allowance. Travel should be via the shortest, most
commonly traveled route.
6. Travel expense does not include hotel /motel expenses.
SECTION XI. LIMITATION OF POWER AND AUTHORITY
A. Nothing contained in this Advisory Board Policy shall be construed to conflict with any North
Carolina law or Orange County ordinance. Should there be an appearance of conflict, the
appropriate North Carolina law or Orange County ordinance shall prevail.
B. The activities of the advisory board shall, at all times, be conducted in accord with applicable
Federal law, North Carolina law, and Orange County ordinances.
C. Advisory Boards and any members thereof shall not (and shall not have the express or
implied authority to):
1. Incur expense or obligate Orange County in any manner.
a. Any expense incurred must have been pre- approved either through the
department director overseeing the advisory board's budget, the Orange
County Board of Commissioners, or the County Manager.
b. It is specifically acknowledged that no member of an advisory board has the
authority, express or implied, to, contractually or otherwise, bind Orange
County.
2. Identify or release any draft document that has not been approved for release by
the Orange County Board of Commissioners or County Manager.
3. Take positions, in their capacity as an advisory board member, on any political issue
or support or oppose any candidate for public office.
Adopted 2 -21 12; Amended 8- 21 -12; Amended 11 -8 -12
103
4. Independently investigate resident complaints against Orange County, any
department or any employee of a department.
5. Conduct any activity that might constitute or be construed as an official
governmental review of departmental or employee actions.
6. Conduct any activity that might constitute or be construed as establishment of
Orange County or departmental policy.
7. Violate the confidentiality of any information related to matters involving pending
or forthcoming civil or criminal litigation.
8. Engage in any act to impose or attempt to impose discipline on any advisory board
member, department, or employee.
9. Interfere, attempt to interfere or involve themselves in any way in staff personnel
matters regardless of the nature of the matter.
Adopted 2 -21 12; Amended 8- 21 -12; Amended 11 -8 -12