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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 03-22-2016 - 7-c - Proposed Establishment of Bond Education Committee Including Structure and Charge 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: March 22, 2016 Action Agenda Item No. 7-c SUBJECT: Proposed Establishment of Bond Education Committee Including Structure and Charge DEPARTMENT: Board of County Commissioners ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Proposed Structure of Bond Education Donna Baker, Clerk to the Board Committee (919) 245-2130 Proposed Charge to Bond Education Manager's Office, (919) 245-2300 Committee PURPOSE: To establish a Bond Education Committee that will develop and assist in disseminating information to voters concerning the November 8, 2016 bond referendum and consider a proposed charge to, and structure of, that Bond Education Committee BACKGROUND: The Board of County Commissioners appointed a citizens' Bond Education Committee to help develop and disseminate factual information about the capital needs that led to bond referenda in November 1988, November 1992, November 1997, and November 2001. The Bond Education Committee is proposed to be comprised of school representatives, housing representatives and interested residents who will communicate to community groups, civic organizations, and voters in general about the needs that have led to the scheduling of a November 8, 2016 bond referendum. A proposed charge and a suggested composition for the Bond Education Committee based on past County bond referendum efforts are attached. Both are starting points for Board discussion and decisions. Public funds may be spent to present factual information to voters about the proposed bonds, the projects expected to be financed by the bonds, and the circumstances and needs that have given rise to the bond referenda. Public funds may not be spent on campaigns either to promote or defeat passage of any bond order before the voters. The Manager's proposed budget will include funding for the Bond Education Committee and activities and information materials. 2 FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with establishment of the Bond Education Committee. The Manager's proposed budget will include funding to address these expected costs. SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following two Orange County Social Justice Goals are applicable to this agenda item: • GOAL: ENABLE FULL CIVIC PARTICIPATION Ensure that Orange County residents are able to engage government through voting and volunteering by eliminating disparities in participation and barriers to participation. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board: 1) review the information above and attached and revise as appropriate; 2) move forward with establishing the Bond Education Committee; 3) approve the proposed Committee structure and charge; 4) direct the Clerk to the Board to contact both school systems and the local housing non- profits for potential appointees and also begin advertisement for residents interested in serving on the Committee; and 5) direct the Clerk to develop an agenda item based on the feedback from the school systems, housing groups, and the public in order for the Board to consider making Committee appointments at the May 5, 2016 regular Board meeting. 3 PROPOSED STRUCTURE OF BOND EDUCATION COMMITTEE Position Special Representation Appointee/Designee Number 1 Orange County Resident 2 Orange County Resident 3 Orange County Resident 4 Orange County Resident 5 CHCCS Representative (2) 6 7 OCS Representative(2) 8 9 Affordable Housing Non- Profits (3) 10 11 12 Affordable Housing Advisory Board representative (1) 13 Board of County Commissioners (2) 14 Support Staff Community Relations Manager's Office County Housing Staff 4 DRAFT PROPOSED CHARGE TO BOND EDUCATION COMMITTEE NOVEMBER 8, 2016 BOND REFERENDUM • Become familiar with the purpose of each of the bond orders • Become familiar with the projects expected to be addressed with bond funds • Understand the community needs that led the Board of Commissioners to adopt each of the bond orders • Assist in developing appropriate informational materials that will address the bond orders • Assist in designing and implementing a campaign to distribute relevant factual information about the bonds to Orange County residents in the most effective and efficient manner possible, using multiple media and information outlets • Assist in designing and implementing a process for information meetings with civic groups, non-profit agencies, neighborhood associations, and other interested parties in the community • Ensure that equal access to information is provided to all individuals and groups, regardless of their position for or against any bond order • Encourage all eligible voters to participate in the November 8th election