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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 04-24-2007-6cORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: April 24, 2007 Action Agenda Item No. ~G SUBJECT: Approval of 2007 Goals DEPARTMENT: County Manager . PUBLIC HEARING:. (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): Goal Statements January 19, 2007 BOCC Retreat Minutes March 1, 2007 BOCC Work Session Minutes (Under Separate Cover) INFORMATION CONTACT: Laura Blackmon, 245-2300 PURPOSE: To review and approve goal statements for 2007. BACKGROUND: The Board of Commissioners conducted its annual retreat on Friday, January 19, 2007. With facilitation assistance both prior to and at the actual retreat meeting provided by Andy Sachs of the Dispute Settlement Center, the Board was able to discuss a multitude of issues and identify some areas of priority interest for the upcoming months and next fiscal year. The Board emphasized the need to establish some priority areas to help guide the upcoming FY 2007-2008 budget process as well as help focus staffs efforts on areas of greatest interest. On March 1, 2007, the County Manager provided the Board with some initial staff updates and responses to help continue the discussion and solicited feedback. Based on the discussion at the retreat and the March 1, 2007 information, the County Manager and staff condensed the information into a list of goals and objectives for BOCC consideration and provided it to the Board at the April 12, 2007 work session. The Board was also scheduled to discuss the goal statements at the April 19, 2007 work session. Based on the discussion at that work session, staff will provide any necessary updates/revisions to the attached materials at the April 24th meeting, which will allow for Board adoption of the goal statements as revised. FINANCIAL. IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated the Board's review and adoption of the goal statements. Implementation of each of the goals will have budget impacts to varying degrees. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve goal statements for 2007. Created 4/12/07 ~- Taxes Goal Statement -Target future Countywide Ad Valorem property tax rate increases at amounts required to pay debt service for non- Enterprise Fund debt issuance plans. Objectives 1) Examine current County financial policies for their viability and amend, if needed, and develop/adopt new financial policies as deemed appropriate. a) Current. Adopted Policies i) Debt Management Policy ii) County Capital Funding Policy + iii) Policy for Funding and Planning for School Capital Projects iv) School Funding Target b) Possible New Policies i) County and School Fund Balance Policy ii) Tax Assistance Policy 2) Seek long-term solutions to lessen County's reliance on residential property tax revenues as its major source of revenue. a) Continue to seek legislative authority to broaden local governments' revenue options to include real estate transfer taxes and local option sales taxes. b) Seek viable and sustainable commercial development that adds to the property and sales tax bases and enhances employment opportunities for residents. i) Work with Economic Development Commission to develop a coherent set of strategies and targets for future non-residential development. 3) Develop five-year financial forecast that projects future revenue growth and anticipates expenditure needs based on current level 4) Examine opportunities to reallocate/realign/restructure current resources while still being responsible in meeting citizens' needs. a) Conduct aself-assessment of currently offered programs and services to determine their viability in today's world. b) Evolve from current budget process to one that is more program/service oriented. c) Identify programs/services that can be streamlined, combined or eliminated. ~~ d) .Encourage all entities receiving County funding, including both school districts and non-profit agencies, to undergo the same self-assessment of their current programs. i) Develop programmatic benchmarks tied to financial incentives. e) Review County departments' dependency on filling permanent staffing needs with temporary employees and overtime. 5) Conduct multi-year cost analysis of proposed County service delivery changes, new programs/services and additional facilities to determine full impact of staffing, operational, capital and debt service costs and equate the costs in terms of total dollars and cents on the tax rate prior to Board's commitment to fund (regardless of funding source). 6) Conduct multi-year cost analysis, in conjunction with School staffs and possibly School Collaboration Work Group, of proposed School service delivery changes, new programs/services and additional facilities to determine full impact of staffing, operational, capital and debt service costs and equate the costs in terms of total dollars and cents on the tax rate prior to Board's commitment to fund. 7) Establish a review process to analyze grant applications to determine impact of associated staffing, operational, capital and indirect costs and to make County's short and long term commitment transparent (i.e. answer the question of what happens when grant funds are no longer available.) Created 4/12/07 ~„' Diversity/Social Justice Goal Goal Statement -Expand efforts on County initiatives to promote the values diversity and social justice. Objectives 1) Continue to implement and evaluate strategies to enhance coordination and leverage expansion of child care subsidies, as recommended by the 2006 Child Care Services Task Force. a) Consult with area employers to promote private "ownership" in the child care cost issue and solicit their financial participation b) Confer with municipalities and other public employers on a subsidy "payback" in situations where they have employees who benefit from the subsidy program c) Develop appropriate benchmarks to measure and report on programmatic success 2) Strive to engage municipalities in a County wide commitment to improving public infrastructure and services in order to develop "aging-friendly" communities that meet the needs of older adults. (Note: "Building Aging- Friendly Communities" was the overall theme emerging from the recent ,Master Aging Plan (MAP) Update process.) a) Present to the BOCC a proposed MAP Update based upon broad stakeholder participation with priority recommendations and an implementation schedule, during May 2007 b) Establish a formal mechanism for tracking and reporting on MAP Update implementation steps in a manner that parallels the County budget process c) Continue to assist and support government agencies and community partners in preparing for the challenges and opportunities associated with rapid growth in the over age 60 population 3) Support enactment of a County "Social Justice" goal that embraces: elimination of oppression, promotion of economic self-sufficiency, creation of safe -mentally and physically - neighborhoods, and advancement of environmental justice and civic participation. a) Finalize for presentation to the BOCC a draft Social Justice Goal resulting from substantial input and advice from the public and applicable County departments by fall 2007 b) Continue to educate and involve the community at large, principally through the Human Relations Commission and Commission for Women, in identifying creative strategies in support of a social justice mission Created 4/16/07 Economic Development Goal Goal Statement -Promote viable and sustainable commercial development that contributes to both property and sales tax revenues, and enhances high-quality employment opportunities for County residents. Objectives 1) Support the Economic Development Commission (EDC) Five-Year Strategic Plan, Investing in Innovation, which has an overall goal to create 5,000 new private sector jobs and add $125,000,000 in new commercial property by June 2010. a) Work with Business Climate Work Group to identify desirable businesses, continue move to central permitting, and review regulations in commercial areas of county. b) Work with Infrastructure Work Group to secure water/sewer for Eno EDD and to expand cell coverage and broadband coverage throughout county. c) Work with Workforce Development Work Group to identify high growth occupations and make sure that training programs (including Durham Technical Community College programs) are in place to provide for vocational needs. d) Work with Quality of Place Work Group on collaborative efforts to build community, support arts and culture and celebrate diversity so that the county continues to attract creative/entrepreneurial individuals. 2) Support EDC research efforts, including: a) Feasibility study for regional value-added agricultural processing facility. b) Investigation of retail leakages. c) Complete inventory of commercial space and land in the county. 3) Support EDC retention and business development goals: a) Partner with UNC to explore creation of early seed fund and support technology transfer. b) Ensure that EDC is aware of upcoming space needs of existing businesses. c) Focus on expansion of medium-sized industrial/manufacturing businesses. d) Work with economic development partners to ensure that county is a preferred location for desirable businesses. e) Expand Buy Local campaign to include local government purchasing preference. 4) Help market economic development successes, such as: a) Closing of first Orange County Small Business Loan Program Company loan. b) Completion of small area planning work for commercial areas and zoning changes that make commercial ventures easier to pursue. c) Grand opening of Hillsborough Farmers Market structure. d) Participation in at least one major business relocation or expansion project. 5) Demonstrate county's commitment to economic development through support of EDC Board and Staff: a) Encourage EDC participation in update of Comprehensive Plan, other special projects. b) Participate in collaborative economic development efforts with Orange County municipalities and neighboring jurisdictions. c) Support development of online and printed "how to" guide for businesses. d) Support overhaul of EDC web site and enhancement of department's GIS resources. Created 4/72/07 "1' Environmental Responsibility Goal Goal Statement -Perform all County governmental functions, both internal and external, with a sensitivity and ethic that promotes environmental responsibility and leadership,, and an understanding of~the actions of government activities as they affect the natural and cultural resources of the County, region, state, nation and world. (Adopted 12/5/2005) Objectives 1) Develop a Countywide Environmental Leadership Policy, and institute a standing Orange County Environmental Action Committee as an internal mechanism to periodically monitor and assess the County's progress toward meeting the objectives of the environmental responsibility goal (adopted 12/512005). 2) Continue, expand .and formally adopt the use of green building standards; construct new facilities/deconstruct outdated facilities in .a way that is eco- friendly, utilizes energy conserving measures, and minimizes impacts on the environment. (Adopted 12/5/2005 as Objective 4) a) Research and suggestion for green building standards through the Comprehensive Plan process and the Planning and Inspections Department regulations for both public and private sector development by the end of 2007. b) Implementation for green building standards through the Planning and Inspections Department, Building Division regulations for both public and private sector development by the end of 2008. c) Participate in education opportunities related to LEED guidelines through training of building and planning employees and eventually education of the general public and private sector builders. d) Adopt `smart growth' principles of land development and site planning including `Low Impact Design' guidelines in appropriate sectors of Coun op licy by the end of 2007. e) Adopt `smart growth' principles of land development and site planning including `Low Impact Design' guidelines in planning and/or erosion control regulations by the end of 2008. Created 4/12/07 Land Conservation Goal Goal Statement - To protect and conserve the County's important natural and cultural land resources. There are three primary categories within which land conservation efforts occur in Orange County government: 1. Lands Legacy Program 2. Land Development Approval Processes 3. Locally-Administered Federal and State Conservation Programs Objectives 1. Lands Legacy Program - Work with partner agencies and willing landowners to protect and conserve the most important natural and cultural resource lands within Orange County for the benefit of current and future generations. a) Future Park Sites -Acquire lands needed for future park sites by identifying, acquiring and land-banking sites, as proposed in the Recreation and Parks Element of the Comprehensive Plan. 1) Negotiate the acquisition of the future Northeast District Park site. 2) Begin the process of negotiating a future Bingham District Park. 3) Begin the process of negotiating a canoe access easement along the Haw River as part of the regional Haw River Trail. 4) Complete the acquisition of 11 acres toward the New Hope .Preserve from Duke University (spring 2008). 5) Identify and prioritize possible corridor of the future Mountains-to-Sea Trail through Orange County. b) Natural Areas, Wildlife Habitat and Prime Forests -Protect important natural areas and wildlife habitat by acquiring and protecting the most critical identified N.C. Natural Heritage sites and prime forestlands within the County. 1) Negotiate the acquisition of 80 acres toward the Seven Mile Creek Preserve, including a portion of the Seven Mile Creek Natural Heritage Macrosite. 2) Negotiate the protection- of the Meadow Flats Natural Heritage site, with Duke University. 3) Participate in ongoing and future conservation planning along the Bolin Creek corridor and Natural Heritage site with UNC and the towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro. c) Farmland Preservation -Ensure preservation of important farmland and the protection of water quality by acquiring conservation easements (via purchase and donation) on prime and tf~reatened farmland in water supply watersheds . 1) Negotiate the acquisition of 600 acres of prime and/or threatened farmland, in conjunction with USDA, in Cane Creek and Little River watersheds. d) Watershed Riparian Buffers -Protect water quality for County and regional citizens by acquiring and protecting riparian buffer habitat, and other important watershed lands along streams in water supply watersheds: 1) Negotiate the acquisition of land to protect 5,000 linear feet of riparian buffer and habitat in Cane Creek watershed. 2) Negotiate the acquisition of land to protect 10,000 linear feet of riparian buffer and habitat in the Upper Eno watershed (by June 2008). e) Cultural Resources -Protect and preserve sites of important cultural significance by acquiring or otherwise protecting historic, archaeological, scenic and visual resources within Orange County. 1) Negotiate the acquisition of conservation easement (donation) to protect the historic Faucette Mill on the Eno River. 2) Identify candidate properties for a scenic vista conservation easement in the St. Mary's Road National Register Study List Corridor (with State grant funds). f) Partnerships and Grants - Work with land trusts, other local governments and partner agencies to secure grant matching funds and other financial assistance to meet conservation objectives. 1) Work with Triangle Land Conservancy, Eno River Association, OWASA, Clean Water Management Trust Fund and others to leverage additional acquisition funding and assistance. 2. Land Development Approval Processes _ Ensure that new land developments. provide for appropriate natural and cultural open space and recreation lands as a part of the development review and approval process. a) Subdivision - Private Open Space - Research Orange County subdivision ordinances as they regulate the purpose, amount, and orientation of rip vats open space and recreation and create a report outlining aspects and achievement of ordinance intent and recommendations, if any, by the end of 2007. b) Subdivision -Public Park Dedications -- Research Orange County subdivision ordinances as they regulate the purpose, amount, and orientation of public open space (including active and low-impact dedications) and recreation and create a report outlining aspects and achievement of ordinance intent and recommendations, if any, by the end of 2007. I In recent years, the County's Lands Legacy Program and the USDA Farm and Ranchland Protection . Program have worked in tandem on agricultural conservation easements. 1~ c) Subdivision -Public Park Payment In Lieu -Research Orange County subdivision ordinances as 'it requires park `Payment - In Lieu' of dedication in prescribed instances and determine if payment amounts and park zone assignments are appropriate. In addition explain how Comprehensive Plan Recreation and Parks Element may impact existing regulations. Complete report by the end of 2007. d) Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) - Feasibility Stage - (Completed June 2006) Proceed with consultant contract to analyze the potential of a TDR program in Orange County through case studies, legal feasibility, program design option and BOCC and task force .feasibility determination. e) Transfer of Development Rights -Design of Ordinance -Proceed with the existing consultant contract to design a TDR ordinance within the jurisdiction of Orange County as a potential procedural aspect of development within designated `receiving' urban service areas while augmenting land preservation in prescribed rural areas within the timeframe outlined in the contract (proposed for Fall 2007). 3. Locally-Administered Federal and State Conservation Programs - Continue to work with landowners and secure funding from Federal and State cost-sharing programs offered through the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service and the Orange Soil and Water District for land conservation purposes. a) Implement Riparian Buffers through the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program 1) Work with the Farm Service agency through the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program to permanently protect 2000 linear feet of Riparian Buffers by 2008. b) Protect Prime and Threatened farmland through the USDA Farm and Ranchland Protection Program 1) Work with ERCD and local land trust to enroll 150 acs of prime farmland in permanent conservation easements to protect active farmland and improve water quality by 20082 c) Protect Highly Erodible Cropland and Enhance Wildlife Habitat through the USDA Conservation Reserve Program. d) Enroll excessively eroding cropland in the NC Agricultural Cost- Share Program to convert conventionally tilled cropland to hay, pasture, or wildlife habitat. 1) Work with the Farm Service Agency and The North Carolina Ag. Cost Share Program to install long term practices to protect 100 acres of z In recent years, the County's Lands Legacy Program and the USDA Farm and Ranchland Protection Program have worked in tandem on agricultural conservation easements. highly erodible cropland while improving water quality and wildlife habitat by 2008. Created 4/12/07 Space Goal Goal Statement - To provide adequate operational space of acceptable quality for all County operations. Objectives 1. To systematically evaluate department operational space needs and present options for meeting the space requirements to the Board of Commissioners as part of the annual capital planning process. 2. To identify funding in the ten-year Capital Investment Plan necessary to complete the space plan as approved by the Board of Commissioners. 3. To plan and construct facilities that will address the approved space needs within the timeframes established and approved by the Board of Commissioners. This would include funding to retrofit buildings vacated following the implementation of other aspects of a Board approved space plan. • Complete construction of the following on-going projects: ^ Seymour Senior Center (2007) ^ Central Orange Senior Center (2008) ^ Gateway Center (2007) ^ Library (2008) ^ Land Services Office Building on County Campus (2008) ^ 911 Center at the Meadowlands (2008) ^ Justice Facilities Expansion w/Courthouse Renovation (2009) ~~ Created 4/12/07 ~3 School Facilities Goal Statement -Identify long-range new and existing capital needs of both Chapel Hill Carrboro City and Orange County Schools and develop funding plans to meet the needs. Objectives 1. Work with the Towns to identify suitable potential school sites that the County may consider land banking for future use. 2. Adhere to County Capital Funding Policy and annually adopt aten-year Capital Investment Plari (CIP) that identifies future facility needs and funding plans to meet those needs. 3. In accordance with the Schools Adequate Public .Facilities Ordinance (SAPFO), anticipate future school construction needs and incorporate those needs into the CIP. 4. In planning future financial resources required to fund new County and School facilities, ensure that the County does not exceed its capacity limit of fifteen percent of total General Fund revenues. 5. Analyze, in conjunction with School staffs and possibly School Collaboration Work Group, the full impact of staffing, operational, capital and debt service costs prior, to Board's commitment to fund. 6. Support legislation to provide state assistance to meet school construction needs caused by increased enrollment and mandated reduction in class size, through a statewide referendum on a bond issue and/or through authority for counties to raise additional revenues to meet school facility needs. 7. Adhere to the Board adopted Policy for Funding and Planning School Construction. 8. In accordance with the County's School Construction Standards, collaborate with both districts to value engineer projects. 9. Support both districts' initiatives to update older facilities. Created 4/12/07 ~ ~- Fair Funding for Schools Goal Statement -Collaborate with the Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools and Orange County Schools Boards of Education to identify ways to address fair funding for schools. Objectives 1. Define what funding components (current expense, capital, fair funding, debt and debt service) should be considered in the fair funding equation. 2. Consider the following June 8, 2006 recommendations from the Fair Funding Work Group with regard to funding school capital needs: a. Use lottery proceeds to provide an additional funding stream for school capital projects. These funds should not supplant current funding sources. b. Include new school start-up costs for equipment and technology in the projected capital budgets for new schools and fund along with the construction costs. c. Review the level at which impact fees are assessed and' adjust them in light of increased construction costs. d. Allocate impact fees directly to the school districts, outside of the 60/40 formula, to be used for pay-as-you-go funding" for school construction. 3. Consider the following June 8, 2006 recommendations from the Fair Funding Work Group with regard to funding school operating needs: a. Consider the Board approved $800,000 allocation for human services and safety initiatives in fiscal year 2006-07 over and above the 48.1 .percent target. b. Allow usage of the $800,000 allocation for services and programs such as (but not limited to) middle college, transportation of students between districts, other collaborative initiatives, and health and safety positions. The outcome should at least maintain the current levels of any services in either district. c. Add one cent to the general ad valorem tax to provide additional funding for the school districts in budget year 2006-07. This one-cent increase should be treated as additional funding over and above the 48.1 percent target. d. Commit to an additional one cent increase to the general ad valorem tax over and above the previous year's increase to provide supplemental funding to the school districts for fiscal years 2007-08 and 2008-09, with these increases to be treated IS as additional funding over and above the 48.1 percent target (e.g., the total increase in the general ad valorem tax would be 2 cents for 2007-08 and 3 cents for 2008-09). Re-evaluate the impact on fair funding at the end of this three-year period. 4. Using the present partnership between Orange County Department of Social Services and Orange County Schools as a model, work with both districts to determine if there are other opportunities to collaborate and maximize funding in the areas of school social work and public safety. a. Video surveillance cameras grant b. School social workers 5. Explore future options for funding outside of the per pupil allocation. Created 4/12/07 NCO Affordable Housing Goal Goal Statement #1 - Develop a mechanism that allows the purchase and "land banking" of the available property until it can be developed as affordable housing for low/moderate income citizens. Objectives 1. The Affordable Housing Advisory Board (ARAB) will hold a work session in August 2007 with the Board of County Commissioners to explore the use of the entity known as the Orange County Housing Authority for land banking. 2. Discuss potential authority structure to include proposed amendments to the Bylaws with the BOCC at the August 30, 2007 work session. 3. Staff will develop by-law amendments, as necessary, to govern the use of the Orange County Housing Authority for this purpose. a) Orange County shall consider amendments to the current bylaws for the Orange County Housing Authority b) If approved, County staff will notify all interested parties of the ability of the Orange County Housing Authority to serve as the holder of property for future affordable housing development. c) Also, County officials and County Affordable Housing Advisory Board members shall identify potential sites for purchase. f7 Goal Statement #2 - Develop a "model" relocation plan for displaced mobile home park tenants in Orange County. . Objectives 1. To minimize the potential impacts of the displacement of mobile home park residents due to park closures by developing a "Response Strategy" by June 2008. 2. Review the Action Plan developed for the Daniel Boone Revitalization .Project and use the document as a potential template for the County's response strategy. 3. Discuss initial strategy components at the BOCC Work Session on August 30, 2007. 4. Orange County shall. consider adoption of a Mobile Home Displacement Response Strategy no later than June 2008. County staff will notify all interested parties of the. existence of the Mobile Home Displacement Strategy and prepare for implementation when necessary. i~ Goal Statement #3 -Begin implementation of the Orange County 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness. Objectives 1. Obtain approval of the Plan by initial. Partnership members (Towns of Carrboro, Chapel Hill, and Hillsborough) by June 30, 2008. 2. Assemble the Executive Team designed to monitor. and advise the Plan implementation process by June 30, 2008. County staff will continue to provide staff support to the 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness initiative through June 30, 2008 as necessary.