HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 12-18-2018 special meeting regular1
APPROVED 1/22/2019 MINUTES
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
SPECIAL MEETING
December 18, 2018
7:00 p.m.
The Orange County Board of Commissioners met in Special Session on Tuesday, December
18, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. at the Southern Human Services Center in Chapel Hill, N.C.
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Penny Rich and Commissioners Jamezetta
Bedford, Mark Dorosin, Sally Greene, Earl McKee, Mark Marcoplos, and Renee Price
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: None
COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT: John Roberts
COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Bonnie Hammersley, Deputy County Manager
Travis Myren and Clerk to the Board Donna Baker (All other staff members will be identified
appropriately below)
Chair Rich called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
1. Changes to the Agenda
Chair Rich said this is a special meeting and the Board of County Commissioners
(BOCC) cannot make changes to the agenda.
Chair Rich noted the following items at the Commissioners’ places:
- PowerPoint for Item 4-a
- Audit report for Item 4-d
PUBLIC CHARGE
The Chair dispensed with the reading of the public charge.
Arts Moment
Tinka Jordy, Orange County Arts Commission Board Member, introduced the Arts
Moment:
Michael Chitwood has published 9 books of poetry. His most recent collection, Search &
Rescue, received the 2018 L.E. Phillabaum Prize from Louisiana State University Press. His
work has appeared in The Atlantic, The New Republic, Oxford American, The Southern Review
and numerous other journals as well as on Garrison Keillor's The Writer's Almanac. He teaches
at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.
Michael Chitwood read a poem called the Bikini Atoll Marching Band and Mt. Rushmore
Precision Drill Team, noting that the Bakini Atoll was where the first nuclear test was conducted.
He said this is a poem about how language and nostalgia are being used these days.
2. Public Comments
a. Matters not on the Printed Agenda
Riley Ruske made the following comments:
Address to the OC BOCC
December 18, 2018
2
My name is Riley Ruske, I am a United States Citizen and a Veteran. Almost 50 years ago I
took an oath of office to "support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all
enemies, foreign and domestic: that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same". My sense
of duty and patriotism is renewed every time I hear newly elected county commissioners take
the oath of office to "support and maintain the Constitution and laws of the United States, and
the Constitution and laws of North Carolina not inconsistent therewith". Inherent in both oaths is
the duty to protect and preserve the sovereignty of the United States of America. It is also my
strong hope that these officials make this oath with a true commitment of their hearts and minds
and not just as a minor formality to enter office.
There has been a lot of talk in recent years about foreign influence in our elections and
governance. Most of this talk expresses outrage about foreign nation-states such as Russia,
China, North Korea, and others. Our Congress and special counsels conduct politicized
hearings and investigations into these activities but it is really just pathetic and dangerous
political posturing. The United States government has interfered in foreign elections and
governance for decades; from Radio Free Europe to funding of resistance/dissident groups to
imposing sanctions to putting in place leaders like Noriega, Castro, Hussein and others. It is
only to be expected that other nation-states would try the same things against the United States.
Many of the same members of our government who rage against interference in our country are
the same ones who sit on Congressional committees or in bureaucracies like the State
Department and spy agencies which authorize U.S. interference in foreign governments. Their
outrage is hypocritical at best and even dishonest in the presentation to the American citizens.
Thankfully, because we still have a fairly open society, the efforts of these foreign nation-states
don't have much if any effect.
However, there is a real existential danger of foreign influence in our country. A recent Yale
and MIT University study shows that there are more than 20 million foreign nationals of illegal
presence in our country. Not only do these illegal aliens cost United States Citizens taxpayers
hundreds of billions of dollars each year, they exert incredible influence in our elections and
governance at all levels. They actually distort the allocation of members of the House of
Representatives thereby depriving our own citizens of their rightful representation in
government. We have seen political candidates pledge everything from amnesty to citizenship
to these illegal aliens as part of their campaigns to win office. A recent past president even
basically gave 2 million of them amnesty after stating multiple times that he could not legally do
so. Some government office holders are even working to give these foreign nationals the right
to vote in local elections and to hold office in local government. Our very own Senators Burr
and Tillis and Congressman Price all support the illegal alien movement. Recently the Orange
County 9--County Manager Hammersley, County Sheriff Blackwood, and all seven
Commissioners--Dorosin, Rich, Burroughs, Jacobs, Marcopolos, Mckee and Price--acted to
provide U.S. Citizen taxpayer funds to aid and abet, shield and shelter illegal aliens in Orange
County. Even more recently, Sheriff Blackwood put our families and children at risk by
releasing convicted illegal alien child molesters into our county instead of turning them over to
ICE for deportation.
No doubt some people will call these comments racist or hateful. Such comments would come
out of ignorance or dishonesty. National citizenship is the legal identification of affiliation or
allegiance to a nation-state. It has nothing to do with race. Requiring that individuals and
especially government officials obey the laws of the country is not hate--it is one of the civic
responsibilities of citizens in a democratic republic such as ours.
3
It is not an overstatement to say that our governance has been corrupted by foreign nationals of
illegal presence. Illegal immigration is a massive criminal enterprise. That is why a glimmer of
hope appears when newly elected officials take the oath of office committing to support and
maintain the Constitution and laws of the United States. I truly hope that the new
commissioners will resist the pressures that will come to aid and abet, shield and shelter foreign
nationals of illegal presence in our county. In fact, I truly hope they will reverse the corruption
that already exists and restore the principles of lawfulness to our county government. Please
honor your oath of office and, by doing so, also honor the commitments and sacrifices of our
men and women in uniform and our veterans who have always protected and defended our
Constitution and country against enemies foreign and domestic. God Bless the United States of
America.
Robin Jacobs, Eno River Association (ERA) Executive Director, presented the 2019 Eno
River Association calendar to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC). She said the
calendar celebrates what others left behind that lived along the Eno River. She expressed
appreciation for the collaboration between Orange County and the ERA.
Bill Ward is a green activist in Orange County and petitioned the Board to comment on
Duke Energy Carolina’s latest integrative resource plan. He reviewed other counties that are
carbon free throughout the US: Monterrey Bay Community Power; three counties in California;
Warren Buffet’s MidAmerican Energy will be by 2020; Green Mountain in Vermont (90% carbon
free); Washington DC commits to be being 100% carbon free by 2032. He said Duke Energy is
talking about using coal-fired plants into the 2040s, with Duke Energy’s emissions factor is
currently 0.7 pounds of carbon dioxide for each kilowatt-hour of electricity generated. He said a
typical family uses about 1000 KW hours/month. He said carbon dioxide is a waste gas from
electricity generation. He asked the Board if it would comment on Duke’s energy plan and
advocate for greener solutions.
Chair Rich said the petition will be taken to agenda review, and clarified that there is a
150 day window to make a response to the plan, which was issued in September.
Bill Ward said that it is his understanding.
Craig Carter said, at a previous BOCC meeting, he asked about flying the 4 x 9.6 foot
memorial flag for veterans at a cemetery, and was told he would received a response from the
Board, but has not done so.
Craig Carter also said his parents had a flag flown over the White House in their honor,
and he is no longer able to fly this flag as it is deemed too large by local ordinances.
Craig Carter said his most serious concern is the lack of ambulance services in the
northern part of the County. He said a church member recently died after waiting 8.5 minutes
without oxygen, and the local volunteer firefighters cannot provide medical care. He said he
called 911 from his own house, due to a shooter in the state park next to his house, and
reached Durham County services who transferred him to Orange County, and was ultimately
told no one could respond. He said more services are needed, and asked if an ambulance can
be stationed at St. Mary’s road. He said a great deal of money was spent on the fire station, but
there are no plugs to power the ambulance.
Commissioner McKee referred to the response time from Meadowlands, and said the
ambulances were likely stationed somewhere else in the County at the time he called. He said
he would follow up about the St. Mary’s Road station.
b. Matters on the Printed Agenda
(These matters will be considered when the Board addresses that item on the agenda
below.)
3. Announcements, Petitions and Comments by Board Members
4
Commissioner McKee said at the December 3 meeting he asked for a report from
GoTriangle, which is even more critical now with the proposed tunnel in Durham County. He
petitioned for GoTriangle to give a report at the January 22nd BOCC meeting.
Commissioner Greene said Sunday 21st is the annual Lantern Walk in Hillsborough and
you can bring your own lantern, and meet at the Riverwalk in Hillsborough. She said it is a free
event, but one must register.
Commissioner Greene congratulated Carly Wheelis of Hillsborough, for being a finalist
for the National Horse Trainer of the year. She said Carly is 16 years old. Commissioner
Greene reviewed a bit of Carly’s history with horses.
Commissioner Dorosin said on Friday he and Commissioner Greene attended the
Justice Advisory Council, and received a presentation from Assistant District Attorney Jeff
Nieman and Daniel Bose, North Carolina Justice Center, on a project for driver’s license
restoration and the elimination of traffic court debt. He said during the presentation they learned
that Durham County recently funded a pilot program to have 4 attorneys to work on these
issues. He said he would like Orange County to fund a similar program with maybe one full time
attorney to address these issues. He said he would like to have the presentation about the
Durham program at a future meeting.
Commissioner Dorosin said a resident recently contacted him about the usage of gray
water (water from washing dishes, taking showers, etc.), which the County currently requires to
be processed like black water (sewage). He said the State says gray water can be recycled for
home use or irrigation. He would like information from their Orange Water and Sewer Authority
(OWASA) representatives about the use of gray water for irrigation.
Chair Rich said when she was on the OWASA board they did work with UNC to put in
the purple pipes for gray water. She said it may not be in done as much in the County, and
more information can be provided.
Commissioner Price asked if there are plans for the Pat Sanford award to come before
the Board of County Commissioners.
Bonnie Hammersley said she will check with Bob Marotto, Animal Services Director.
Commissioner Price said she would like a resolution honoring Nate Davis who has
retired from the Town of Chapel Hill after 48 years.
Commissioner Price petitioned to recognize the seniors at Orange High School who are
on the Future Farmers of America team. She said this team won the highest state honor, and is
going on to the national completion.
Commissioner McKee said they often recognize ball teams for their accomplishments,
and he would like to recognize this team as well.
Commissioner Price said she received an email regarding the ABC Board and the
possibility of privatization, and she would like to ask the Board of County Commissioners to sign
on to the petition to oppose this.
Commissioner Bedford had no comments.
Commissioner Marcoplos said he previously proposed a resolution to support the Green
New Deal, and he will write a draft for the January meeting.
Chair Rich asked if staff could provide updates on the Hillsborough train station and the
Wegman site in Chapel Hill.
Chair Rich wished everyone a Happy Hanukkah, a day late.
Commissioner Marcoplos referred to an article about the train station, and he would like
to know the timing schedule for the construction of this station.
4. Proclamations/ Resolutions/ Special Presentations
a. November 6, 2018 General Election Follow-up Report
5
The Board received a follow-up report on the November 6, 2018 General Election held in
Orange County.
Rachel Raper, Elections Director, gave a PowerPoint presentation, which reviewed the
background information below, as well as several charts and graphs pertaining to election data:
BACKGROUND:
Below are some of the various activities and statistical information concerning the November 6,
2018 General Election:
Pre-Election Activity
All pre-election tasks were completed in a timely manner by staff, through a temporary
relocation and Hurricane Michael making landfall the day before the voter registration deadline.
These tasks included, but were not limited to:
• 41 campaign finance reports were audited
• Logic and accuracy testing was completed on all voting equipment
• Voter education outreach events were held at both the Passmore and Seymour centers
• Early voting and Election Day precinct election officials were trained over the course of
24 sessions
• Ballots were ordered and received equaling to 100% of registered voters
• Election supplies were prepared for 44 precincts and 5 early voting sites
• Software was loaded on 132 Election Day and 24 early voting laptops
• Multi-partisan Assistance Teams were trained and certified to be deployed as requested
to assisted living facilities to assist voters with requesting and casting absentee ballots
• From July 1, 2018 to November 6, 2018, the staff processed 7,232 new voter
registrations, 4,939 duplicate registrations, 5,786 changes of information, and removed
5,195 from the voter rolls due to registration activity in other counties/states, death,
request from voter, or felony sentencing. In total, 17,726 voter cards were mailed during
this time period.
Absentee Voting
Although litigation coupled with Hurricane Matthew delayed the start of absentee-by-mail voting
• 2,865 absentee-by-mail ballots were processed and sent to voters as requested
Legislation passed prior to the start of early voting resulted in a longer early voting period and
required 7 am – 7 pm weekday hours if voting beyond normal office hours was offered.
• As directed by the Bipartisan State Board of Elections and Ethics Enforcement, 5 early
voting sites were established with a total of 905 cumulative hours. 43,253 total votes
were cast, with the votes cast at each site being:
- 10,197 at the Board of Elections office
- 11,379 at Carrboro Town Hall
- 7,869 at Chapel of the Cross
- 3,152 at Efland Ruritan Club
- 10,656 at Seymour Senior Center
• 1,776 new registrations and 2,154 updated registrations were processed during the early
voting period
Election Day
Polls were open 6:30 am to 7:30 pm on November 6, 2018. Voting was steady throughout the
day.
6
• An Orange Water and Sewer Authority water main break the day before the election
resulted in additional logistical planning as facilities began closing as trucks were in
route to deliver equipment and supplies
• The Asset Management Services department ensured temporary restrooms were
delivered to precincts affected by the main break to allow election officials access to
restrooms during the 14+ hour day
• All precincts were open at 6:30 am as required by law
• No electronic poll book or printer issues were reported
• A total of 22,008 people voted on Election Day
• All Election Night results were reported, uploaded to the website, and finalized by 10:15
pm
Post-Election
Voter turnout for the November 6, 2018 General Election was 58.71%, considerably high for a
midterm, “blue moon” election.
• 371 provisional ballots were cast. Of those, the Board of Elections:
- Fully approved 124
- Partially approved 5
- Did not approve 242
Chair Rich asked if “partially approved” could be explained.
Rachel Raper said these are people who presented to vote, typically, out of precinct, and
were not eligible to vote on certain items on the ballot due to being out of precinct (such as the
Chapel Hill Affordable Housing bond).
Commissioner McKee referred to the people voting without a record of registration, and
asked if this could be clarified.
Rachel Raper said provisional ballots may have been cast, but if the ballot is not
approved it is not tabulated.
Commissioner McKee asked if there was any follow up as to why these residents
thought they could vote.
Rachel Raper said some residents believed they were registered, but staff looked and
was not able to verify the registrations. She said there were some students who were unsure if
they were registered, and voted the provisional ballot in order to be registered for future
elections.
* No record of registration and previously removed due to registration activity in another county
or state made up the bulk of provisional ballots the Board did not approve.
• Data was uploaded from electronic poll books to complete voter history entry by mid-
morning Thursday, November 8.
• The election results were certified by the Board at canvass on Friday, November 16.
• No election protests or challenges were filed in Orange County.
• Absentee results by precinct will be reported by December 6, 2018 as required by law.
She reviewed the demographics:
• 52% Democrats; 38.5% unaffiliated; 14.5% Republicans; less than 1% Libertarian,
Constitution and Green.
• Turn out by gender: Women, 53%; Men, 43%
• Turn out by age group: 41-65 were the most committed voters (44% of total turnout)
• Race: 77% White; and 10% Black/African American; 6% undeclared; 4% Asian; 2%
other; 1% multiracial
7
• Ethnicity: 78% Not Hispanic/Latino; 20% undeclared; 2% Hispanic/Latino
Rachel Raper said this is a blue moon election (happens every 12 years, and involves
no state-wide races on the ballot other than judicial races). She said there was a 58.71% voter
turnout, which is good for this type of election (38.86% in 2006; the last blue moon election).
Rachel Raper said the Orange County Board of Elections is able to provide voters the
best possible services due to the dedication of the Board of Elections members and staff and
the continued support from the Orange County Board of County Commissioners. She said the
Board of Elections members and staff and Orange County voters appreciate the support
provided by the Board of Commissioners and other County staff.
Commissioner Dorosin said 42,000 early voters came out, and asked if many of those
voters were registered that same day.
Rachel Raper said there were 1,776 new registrations and 2,154 updated registrations
processed during the early voting period
Commissioner Dorosin said he appreciated the report, but he would also like different
information; for example, every one over the age of 65, who is registered, compared to the 18-
25 year old age group.
Rachel Raper said the demographics mirrored the voter registration. She said she has
this information and will get it the Board.
Commissioner Dorosin referred to the slide about age demographics, and clarified that
44% of all voters were aged 41-65 years, and of those aged 41-65 years, 44% turned out to
vote. He said this seems mathematically surprising.
Rachel Raper said 38% of the registered population is 41-65 years of age, and 44%
turned out to vote. She said of the 38% registered 44% turned out.
Commissioner Dorosin said he would like to know how many voters are in each age
group category and how many turned out to vote, and same thing with the race.
Commissioner Dorosin said there was 58% total turnout. He said there are 115,000
registered voters in Orange County, but asked how many people in the County could be
registered, if everyone over 18 was registered.
Rachel Raper said 85% of the population is registered to vote, which is a good average.
Commissioner Dorosin said it would be good to have this information as benchmarks.
Commissioner Price referred to the one-stop voters per hour, and asked if staff averaged
these.
Rachel Raper said yes, she took the number of voters per day and averaged it by how
many hours were offered that day.
b. Proclamation – Bill of Rights Day
The Board considered voting to adopt a proclamation to officially recognize Bill of Rights
Day in Orange County during the month of December 2018 and authorize the Chair to sign.
Peggy/Margaret Misch read the Proclamation:
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PROCLAMATION
Bill of Rights Day
DECEMBER 15, 2018
Whereas, the necessary states ratified the Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments to the
United States Constitution, on December 15, 1791; and
Whereas, the Bill of Rights protects every person of this state and nation from the infringement
of basic human and civil rights; and
8
Whereas, the freedoms of speech and association and the right to due process and equal
protection of the law, as embodied in the Bill of Rights, are a model for democratic institutions
and laws all over the world; and
Whereas, it was the North Carolina convention, held in Hillsborough, which was instrumental
regarding the inclusion of a Bill of Rights as part of ratifying the United States Constitution; and
Whereas, the people of North Carolina stood strong in withholding ratification of the Constitution
until the Bill of Rights was added to ensure their inalienable rights; and
Whereas, the Orange County Board of Commissioners demonstrated its commitment to
“upholding the civil rights and civil liberties of all persons in Orange County and their free
exercise and enjoyment of any and all rights and privileges secured by our constitutions and
laws of the United States, the State of North Carolina, and Orange County,” in a May 20, 2003
approved resolution entitled “A Resolution Regarding the Protection of Civil Rights and Civil
Liberties”; and
Whereas, the Orange County Board of Commissioners reaffirmed the protections of all its
residents by passing “A Resolution Opposing the Use of Local Law Enforcement to Enforce Civil
Immigration Law and Policy” on January 23, 2007;
Now, Therefore Be It Resolved that we the Orange County Board of Commissioners do hereby
proclaim December 15, 2018 as “BILL OF RIGHTS DAY” in Orange County and commend
this observance to all people.
This, the 18th day of December 2018.
A motion was made by Commissioner Dorosin, seconded by Commissioner Price for the
Board to adopt the Proclamation regarding Bill of Rights Day and authorize the Chair to sign the
Proclamation.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
c. Resolution In Support of Campaign to Make North Carolina a No-Torture State
The Board considered voting to adopt a Resolution In Support of Campaign to Make
North Carolina a No-Torture State and authorizing the Chair to sign.
Commissioner Greene read the resolution:
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF
CAMPAIGN TO MAKE NORTH CAROLINA A NO-TORTURE STATE
WHEREAS, the non-governmental North Carolina Commission of Inquiry on Torture (NCCIT,
www.nccit.org) was established to examine the role of North Carolina in the United States’
secret, global torture program launched soon after September 11, 2001; and
WHEREAS, the volunteer led NCCIT has conducted an inquiry into the use of public airports by
the CIA to facilitate torture and learned that Aero Contractors, a CIA affiliated company,
transported at least 49 people for torture, many of them innocent of any terrorist ties; and
9
WHEREAS, Aero Contractors is headquartered at the Johnston County Airport in Smithfield,
NC, and also used the state-run Global TransPark in Kinston for “torture taxi” flights; and
WHEREAS, North Carolina residents have been calling since 2005 for investigation of Aero
Contractors, and support has come from people of faith, veterans, elected officials, civic groups,
labor, various political parties, and members of different racial and ethnic groups; and
WHEREAS. 10 NCCIT Commissioners – a diverse, blue-ribbon panel of distinguished
individuals – heard testimony from 20 witnesses (survivors, journalists, human rights experts) on
November 30 and December 1, 2017, in Raleigh; and
WHEREAS, Governor Roy Cooper and Attorney General Josh Stein are expected to respond to
the 84-page NCCIT Report (NCTortureReport.org) since its release on September 27, 2018;
and
WHEREAS, the Orange County Board of Commissioners adopted the RESOLUTION IN
SUPPORT OF THE NORTH CAROLINA COMMISSION OF INQUIRY ON TORTURE (RES-
2016-08) in December 2016;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners,
do hereby urge Governor Cooper and Attorney General Stein to hold private contractors such
as Aero Contractors accountable for involvement in the torture program; to enforce state,
federal, and international law; and to stop hosting Aero at public airports to prevent North
Carolina from being the home to “torture taxis.”
This, the 18th day of December 2018.
A motion was made by Commissioner Greene, seconded by Commissioner Price for the
Board to approve and authorize the Chair to sign the resolution.
Commissioner McKee referred to “NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the
Orange County Board of Commissioners, do hereby urge Governor Cooper and Attorney
General Stein to hold private contractors such as Aero Contractors accountable for involvement
in the torture program,” and asked John Roberts if this could be explained.
John Roberts said the language means what it says, and he would have to research
further into existing laws that may apply.
Commissioner McKee asked if one commits an act that is legal at one point, but is made
illegal in the future, can one be held to the future law retroactively.
John Roberts said he does not think one can be held accountable to a law retroactively.
Commissioner McKee asked if there are any current protocols in place that could
prevent Aero from landing.
John Roberts said he cannot answer that at this time.
Commissioner McKee said he would support this motion, but he has issues of bringing
resolutions before the Board with language that is so nebulous. He said he does not know how
one can be held accountable for something against which there is no law available. He said
torture is egregious, but he has issues with bringing resolutions that have this type of vague
language and the ultimately become meaningless.
Commissioner Marcoplos said he does not read the word accountable as a legal term,
and asked if this word indicates legal action.
John Roberts said it does not have to indicate legal action.
Commissioner McKee asked if accountable could be more clearly defined.
10
Commissioner Marcoplos said one can be held accountable in any number of ways. He
said he finds the wording to be fairly clear and straightforward.
Commissioner Greene said this resolution is about events that have already taken place,
where no branch of state government had any interest to investigate. She said a contractor
that ran out of Smithfield was involved in transporting people overseas to be tortured. She said
this is not about holding others accountable to a future law. She said the very well written and
complete can be found online at nctorturereport.org. She said those flying the plane are just as
complicit in the torture as the ones committing the actual torture.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
Peggy Misch said she tried to combine this resolution and the Bills Of Rights Day
together and relate these two because the 8th amendment speaks against torture.
Peggy Misch said solitary confinement is a form of torture that is still used today and she
hopes the resolution that just passed can get to Governor Cooper and Attorney General Josh
Stein. She said this resolution is about accountability.
Commissioner Dorosin suggested forwarding the resolution to the Governor and
Attorney General.
Commissioner Greene asked if the resolution could be forwarded to the Johnston
County Commissioners.
Commissioner Price suggested sending the resolution to all the counties across the
state.
Commissioner Price said she forgot one question during the elections presentation, and
said she would like to know the costs of the elections.
d. Presentation of Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for FYE 6/30/2018 and
Approval of Audit Contract Extension
The Board received the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the fiscal
year ended June 30, 2018 and considered voting to approve an extension to the audit contract
for Mauldin & Jenkins, PLLC.
BACKGROUND:
The CAFR reports on all financial activity of the County for the fiscal year July
1, 2017 through June 30, 2018. Mauldin and Jenkins, a firm of Certified Public Accountants,
audited the financial statements. The financial statements, audit and contract extension are
required by Chapter 159-34 of the North Carolina General Statutes. The County prepares a
Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) that meets the standards set by the
Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). The CAFR is submitted to the GFOA in
order to be awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. The
financial report for the Orange County SportsPlex, as required under the management contract,
is included in the County’s CAFR.
The County received an unmodified (clean) audit opinion on the financial statements received
from the audit. The financial audit results indicate compliance with County financial policies. The
Chief Financial Officer and representatives of Mauldin and Jenkins will cover highlights of the
report and answer any questions.
The audit contract extension is required to accommodate Mauldin & Jenkins submittal of the
audit report to the Local Government Commission on December 4, 2018.
Gary Donaldson, Chief Financial Officer, made the following PowerPoint presentation:
11
Fiscal Year 2017-18 Review and Summary
Gary Donaldson, Chief Financial Officer
December 18, 2018
BOCC Regular Meeting
FY 2017-18 Audited Reserves by Fund (chart)
Fund Balance Policy Compliance (bar graph)
Debt Service Policy Compliance (bar graph)
FY 2017-18 Unassigned Fund Balance of 16.23%= $34,439, 230 compared to 16%
Policy=$33,951,266
The .23% difference= $487,964
Service Policy Compliance
Investment Earnings Performance: General Fund Investment Earnings (graph)
Investment Earnings Performance: Solid Waste Fund Investment Earnings (graph)
Operating Funds Highlights
Met Board County Policies; Unassigned Fund Balance and Debt Service Limit;
AAA Bond Rating Affirmation by all 3 Rating Agencies citing Favorable Budget versus
Actuals Performance and Reserve Levels;
Refinanced Existing Debt and Achieved $2 million in savings over the life of the Debt
obligations;
Reduced General Fund subsidy to Solid Waste Fund from $1.8 to $1.5 million;
Doubled Investment Earnings through timely investment of cash in higher interest rate
environment three successive fiscal years;
Decommissioned structurally imbalanced Vehicle Replacement Fund in Budget
Amendment #10; and
Implemented GASB 74 and 75 for Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB); with no
adverse impact on Financial Statements;
Capital Fund Highlights
Spring Installment Purchase Financing: $7.5 million included Northern Campus
acquisition; Government Services Annex relocation of Electrical and HVAC; School
Facilities and Buildings; 9 Sheriff Dodge Chargers; 3 Emergency Services Ambulances;
1 Animal Services Truck; 1 Solid Waste Truck and 1 Compactor Equipment; IT
improvements; and Affordable Housing Land Banking.
General Obligation Bonds: $64.4 million for Chapel Hill High School; $15.9 million
Orange County Schools Mechanical Systems, Site acquisition, Roofing and Safety
improvements; $5.9 million Two-thirds bonds for both School Districts; and $2.5 million
for Affordable Housing Bonds for CASA, Empowerment and Habitat for Humanity
Projects.
Financial Management Monitoring
• Monthly and Quarterly Finance Reviews of all Funds
• Budget versus Actual Variance Analyses compared with Prior Year
• Financial Analysis Distinguishing Timing versus Performance Variances
12
• Updating Economic indicators and trends in new Long-Term Financial Model
• Regular Communication and Collaboration with all Departments to monitor and improve
Financial Results
Internal Control Key Performance Indicators (table)
James Bence, Maudlin & Jenkins, made the following PowerPoint presentation:
Maudlin and Jenkins
Presentation of 2018 Audit Results
Orange County, North Carolina
December 11, 2018
Agenda
Engagement Team
Results of the 2018 Audit
Financial Ratios
Comments, Recommendations, and Other Issues
Questions & Comments
Engagement Team
Maudlin & Jenkins, LLC; General Information
o Founded in 1918
o Large regional firm serving the Southeastern United States
o Office located in Atlanta, GA; Macon, GA; Albany, GA; Savannah, GA; Bradenton,
FL; Chattanooga, TN; Birmingham, AL; and Columbia, SC employing
approximately 260 personnel
o In addition to our governmental practice, we have large banking, healthcare, not
for profit, benefit plan and tax practices.
Maudlin & Jenkins, LLC; Governmental Sector
o Largest specific industry niche served by the Firm representing 25% of Firm
practice
o Serve more governmental entities throughout the Southeast than many other
certified public accounting firm requiring over 85,000 hours of service on an
annual basis.
o Approximately 100 professional staff persons with current governmental
experience.
o Current auditor for over 400 total governments in the Southeast, including
approximately:
• 45 counties;
• 100 cities;
• 50 school systems;
• 40 state entities; and,
• 140 special purpose entities (stand along business type entities, libraries,
etc.)
Engagement team leaders for Orange County
o Joel Black, Engagement Partner
o James Bence, Audit Services Partner
o Tim Lyons, Quality Review Partner
13
Results of 2018 Audit
Our Responsibility Under Auditing Standards Generally Accepted in the United
States of America (GAAS) and Government Auditing Standards (GAS)
- We considered the internal control structure for the purpose of expressing
our opinion on the County’s basic financial statements and not providing
assurance on the internal control structure.
- Our audit was performed in accordance with GAAS and GAS.
- Our objective is to provide reasonable—not absolute—assurance that the
basic financial statements are free of material misstatement.
- We did not audit the financial statements of the Orange County ABC
Board. We reviewed and relied on the report of other auditors for
amounts included in the County’s statements related to the ABC Board.
- The basic financial statements are the responsibility of the County’s management.
Report on 2018 Basic Financial Statements
- Unmodified (“clean”) opinion on basic financial statements.
- Presented fairly in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in
the United States of America.
- Our responsibility does not extend beyond financial information contained in our
report.
Significant Accounting Policies
- The significant accounting policies used by the County are described in Note 1 to
the basic financial statements.
- The policies used by the County are in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles and similar government organizations.
- In considering the qualitative aspects of its policies, the County is not involved in
any controversial or emerging issues for which guidance is not available.
Management Judgment/Accounting Estimates
- The County uses various estimates as past of its financial reporting process –
including valuation of accounts receivable, depreciation of capital assets, seld-
insurance claim liabilities, and pension and OPEB assumptions.
Financial Statement Disclosures
- The footnote disclosures to the financial statements are also an integral
part of the financial statements and the process used by management to
accumulate the information included in the disclosures was the same
process used in accumulating the statements. The overall neutrality,
consistency, and clarity of the disclosures was considered as part our
audit.
Relationship with Management
- We received full cooperation from the County’s management and staff.
- There were no disagreements with management on accounting issues or
financial reporting matters.
14
Audit Adjustments
- There were several posted adjustments, which were necessary during the audit
process. Those entries have been provided to management and have all been
recorded on the County’s general ledger by management and they have agreed
with all adjustments. There was one proposed and passed adjustment related to
the understated depreciation of completed capital outlay projects. This
adjustment has been provided to management. Evaluated by management, and
deemed immaterial to the County’s financial statements.
Management Representation
- We requested, and received, written representations from
management relating to the accuracy of information included in the
financial statements and the completeness and accuracy of various
information requested by us.
Consultation with Other Accountants
- To the best of our knowledge, management has not consulted with, or
obtained opinions from, other independent accountants during the
year, nor did we face any issues requiring outside consultation.
Significant Issues Discussed with Management
- There were no significant issues discussed with management
related to business conditions, plans, or strategies that may have
affected the risk of material misstatement of the financial statements.
Information in Documents Containing Audited Financial Statements
- Our responsibility for other information in documents containing the
County’s comprehensive annual financial report and our report
thereon does not extend beyond the information identified in our report.
If the County intends to publish or otherwise reproduce the financial
statements and make reference to our firm, we must be provided with
printers’ proof for our review and approval before printing. The County
must also provide us with a copy of the final reproduced material for
our approval before it is distributed.
Auditor Independence
- In accordance with AICPA professional standards, M&J is independent with
regard to the County and its financial reporting process.
- There were no fees paid to M&J for management advisory services during
fiscal year 2018 that might affect our independence as auditors.
General Balance Ratio to Expenditures – chart
Trend Analysis of Property and Sales Tax Revenue per Capita - Chart
General Fund Budget to Actual Results for FY 2018 - Chart
General Fund revenues were 2.4% more than the amended budgeted
amount. The actual revenue was over budget due to increased actual
property tax collections.
15
Expenditures for many functional areas were less than budget by $6.4 million
(2.9%) from the operating budget. Several departments came in under budget
due to personnel vacancies and efforts to spend conservatively.
Budgeted use of fund balance was not needed to the extent anticipated, as
actual revenues and other financing sources exceeded expenditures.
General Fund significant transfers were $1,357,688 to School Capital
Improvement Fund; $320,000 to County Capital Improvement Fund;
$1,426,972 to Solid Waste Landfill Fund; and $864,230 to nonmajor
governmental funds.
Enterprise Results- Chart
Changes in Single Audit Engagements
Change in reporting of direct benefit payments – removed from Schedule of Expenditures of
Federal and State Awards (SEFSA)
Previously reported Federal Expenditures of $93.4 million
Type A program threshold was $2.8 million
Average 2 federal programs, Medicaid tested every year
Now reporting Federal Expenditures of $21.9 million
Type A program threshold now $750,000
Testing for 8 federal and 1 state programs in 2018 – SEFSA
Additional changes in Medicaid:
o Now eligibility testing is required to be performed as agreed upon
procedures engagement;
o Separate from financial/compliance audits for the County;
o Procedures determined by the Office of State Auditor;
o Issued report for the County on October 31, 2018 – no inconsistency reported.
Additional Testing
Local Government Employees Retirement System
• Attestation report issued October 10, 2018
• Test was performed on employee census data as of December 31, 2017
• State randomly selects LGERS participants for testing
• Report issued stated the County was providing the significant elements of employee
census data for the year ended December 31, 2017 – no errors noted.
Cash Handling – Agreed Upon Procedures
• We are working with each office throughout the County to evaluate the cash receipting
process
• Procedures started and will be wrapping up in early spring 2019
Comments, Recommendations, and Other Issues
Material Weaknesses on Financial Reporting
Debt Financing Reporting
Misstatements were detected in the reporting of the County’s recording for debt
issuances, including the associated balance sheet accounts, revenues,
16
expenditures, and expenses. During our testing, audit adjustments were required to
properly report the County’s debt and related debt service schedules and related
balance sheet account, revenues, and expenditures/expenses. Audit adjustments
totaling approximately $30 million were required to record other financing sources
and other financing uses; and $8.5 million were needed to correct the classification
of the County’s accounting and reporting of the debt service activity. We
recommend the County carefully review all financing documents received during the
issuance of the bonds or notes. There are several draft versions, which may
circulate before the final information is available, but all members of the County’s
management team should ensure all key members have the necessary schedules to
properly report the issuance, issuance costs, and other disbursements associated with
the issuance.
Expenditure/Expense Recognition
During our testing, audit adjustments were required to properly report the County’s
expenditures/expenses and related balance sheet accounts. During our testing of
subsequent disbursements we identified expenses that were incurred as of June 30,
2018 but were note remitted until subsequent to the fiscal year end. The expenses
of the County Capital Project Fund and the Solid Waste Landfill Fund were
understated by $227,745 and $65,712, respectively. Audit adjustments totaling
approximately $293,450 were needed to correct the County’s
expenditures/expenses and related balance sheet accounts. We recommend the
County ensure all expenditures/expenses are properly reported in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles.
Equity Reconciliation
During our testing, an audit adjustment was required to adjust the opening net
position of the Solid Waste Landfill Fund. The entry included adjusting balances
incorrectly coded to equity during the current year, as well as to record audit entries
from the prior year, which were not posted to the County’s general ledger. An audit
adjustment totaling $806,521 was needed to correct the County’s opening net
position as of June 30, 2018. We recommend the County carefully review all
transactions to ensure all year-end closing entries, including those proposed by
the auditors, are recorded in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles.
Industry recommendation
The Information Technology environment is characterized by rapid change and there
has been no shortage of headlines about cyber security attacks. While breaches
of large organizations have been very high profile and have received a lot of
press coverage, organizations of all sizes face the same types of threats and are
experiencing similar breaches. Many organizations are still struggling to effectively
address cyber security issues; however, they are no longer ignoring them. During the
performance of our audit of the financial statements of the County, we noted that the
organization is taking measures to prevent such an attack on the County, but is
lacking some elements of a Cyber security Framework or Cyber security Risk
Management Program (CRMP). A functioning CRMP will assist the County with
comprehensively identifying cyber security weaknesses, potential threats and risks,
and controls used to safeguard information and systems. We recommend that the
17
entity investigate and consider implementation of a Cyber security Risk Management
Program including covering the monitoring and testing of controls in place.
New GASB Pronouncements- Implemented This Year
- GASB Statement No. 75, Accounting and Financial Reporting for
Postemployment Benefits Other Than Pensions, replaces the requirements of
Statement No. 45 and addressed accounting and financial reporting for OPEB
that is provided to the employees of the state and local governmental employers.
This statement established standards for recognizing and measuring liabilities,
deferred outflows of resources, deferred inflows of resources and
expense/expenditures. For defined benefit OPEB, this statement identifies the
methods and assumptions that are required to be used to project benefit
payments, discount projected benefit payments to their actuarial present value,
and attribute that present value to periods of employee service. Note disclosure
and required supplementary information requirements about defined benefit OPEB
are also addressed.
- Statement No. 74, Financial Reporting for Postemployment Benefit Plans Other
Than Pension Plans. The objective of this statement is to improve the usefulness
of information about postemployment benefits other than pensions (other
postemployment benefits or OPEB) included in the general purpose external
financial reports of state and local governmental OPEB plans for making decisions
and assessing accountability. This statement results from a comprehensive review
of the effectiveness of existing standards of accounting and financial reporting for
all postemployment benefits (pensions and OPEB) with regard to providing
decision- useful information, supporting assessments of accountability and inter-
period equity, and creating additional transparency.
- Statement No. 76, The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles for
State and Local Governments. The objective of this statement is to identify (in the
context of the current governmental financial reporting environment) the hierarchy
of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The “GAAP hierarchy”
consists of the sources of accounting principles used to prepare financial
statements of state and local governmental entities in conformity with GAAP and
the framework for selecting those principles.
- GASB Statement No. 83, Certain Asset Retirement Obligations, requires the
accrual of an estimate for any legally enforceable future liability associated with
the retirement of a capital asset (i.e. decommissioning a sewer treatment plant)
and to report the expenses over the life of the associated capital asset. Applicable
for June 30, 2019.
- GASB Statement No. 84, Fiduciary Activities, This statement establishes
criteria for identifying fiduciary activities with a focus on: 1) whether a government
is controlling the assets of the fiduciary activity; and, 2) the beneficiaries with
whom a fiduciary relationship exists. Applicable for June 30, 2020.
New GASB Pronouncements for Future Years
18
- GASB Statement No. 87, Leases was issued in June 2017 and is
effective for the first reporting period beginning after December 15,
2019. This statement increases the usefulness of governments’ financial
statements by requiring recognition of certain lease assets and liabilities
for leases that previously were classified as operating leases and
recognized as inflows of resources or outflows of resources based on the
payment provisions of the contract. It establishes a single model for
lease accounting based on the foundational principle that leases are
financings of the right to use an underlying asset. Under this statement,
a lessee is required to recognize a lease liability and an intangible right-to-
use lease asset, and a lessor is required to recognize a lease receivable
and a deferred inflow of resources, thereby enhancing the relevance and
consistency of information about governments’ leasing activities.
Applicable for June 30, 2021.
- Statement No. 88, Certain Disclosures Related to Debt, Including Direct
Borrowings and Direct Placements, under Statement 88, debt for
disclosure purposes is defined as a liability that arises from a contractual
obligation to pay cash (or other assets) in one or more payments to settle
an amount that is fixed at the date the contractual obligation is
established. Applicable for June 30, 2019.
- Statement 89, Accounting for Interest Cost Incurred Before the End of
a Construction Period, this standard eliminates the requirement/ability to
capitalize construction period interest costs as part of the cost of a capital
asset in enterprise funds. This standard should be applied prospectively
with no restatement. This standard can be early implemented as part of
fiscal year 2019, but is applicable for June 30, 2021.
- Statement No. 90, Equity Interests an amendment of GASB Statements
No. 14 and No. 61, is intended to improve the consistency and
comparability of reporting a government’s majority equity interest in a
legally separate organization and to improve the relevance of financial
statement information for certain component units. It defines a majority
equity interest and specifies that a majority equity interest in a legally
separate organization should be reported as an investment if a
government’s holding of the equity interest meets the definition of an
investment. A majority equity interest that meets the definition of an
investment should be measured using the equity method, unless it is
held by a special-purpose government engaged only in fiduciary
activities, a fiduciary fund, or an endowment (including permanent and
term endowments) or permanent fund. Those governments and funds
should measure the majority equity interest at fair value. Applicable for
June 30, 2020.
Other Matters Currently Being Considered by GASB
- Re-Examination of the Financial Reporting Model. GASB has added this
19
project to its technical agenda to make improvements to the existing financial
reporting model (established via GASB 34). Improvements are meant to
enhance the effectiveness of the model in providing information for decision-
making and assessing a government’s accountability.
- Conceptual Framework is a constant matter being looked at by GASB.
Current measurement focus statements (for governmental funds) to change to
near-term financial resources measurement. May dictate a period (such as 60
days) for revenue and expenditure recognition. May expense things such as
supplies and prepaid assets at acquisition.
- Revenue and Expense Recognition is another long-term project where the
GASB is working to develop a comprehensive application model for recognition of
revenues and expenses from non-exchange, exchange, and exchange-like
transactions.
- Conduit Debt. The GASB is looking at improving the definition of conduit debt
and determining whether a liability should be reported for these transactions.
Other Changes
- There continues to be changes to auditing standards relative to the conduct
and reporting of Single Audits. This year’s financial and compliance audit
recognized the implementation of the new Uniform Grant Guidance (UG), which
included significant changes to cost principles and other requirements for
auditees receiving Federal funds. These changes are driven based on the grant
award date as awarded by the Federal agency. As such, auditors and
auditees will follow requirements from both the “old” and “new” guidance for a
few years to come.
Commissioner Dorosin referred to page 11, and asked if this is that just a change in the
way things get reported, or is there a substantive change in the County’s overall fiscal health.
James Bence said in short no, there was no change, but there is a new audit that the
County has to have. He said the State still requires auditors to come in and audit the eligibility
determination, but because it is not part of the County’s financial packet, the State requires
agreed upon procedures, which was a separate engagement that the Firm did with the County.
He said the results of this engagement were submitted to the State in October, citing no
instances of determination ineligibility.
Commissioner Dorosin clarified that the way things are done has changed, but the
underlying substantive outcomes shows that everything is in order.
James Bence said yes, in layman’s terms. He said the audit is still clean, and the
biggest takeaway would be to know that more of the County’s programs are going to be subject
to compliance review now than in the past.
Commissioner Marcoplos asked if these changes added additional expense to the
County for additional audits.
James Bence said yes.
Commissioner Greene referred to page 15, and asked if a cyber security risk
management program is costly to implement.
James Bence said he does not know if he can answer that question. He said the
process starts with a study and it may be able to be handled in house. He said his firm’s
greatest emphasis is placed on the County getting a policy in place.
Commissioner Greene said the County would need to commit to having a policy and
then find out how to implement it.
James Bence said yes.
20
Commissioner Bedford referred to page 20 of the full audit report, and asked if this is
where the Board should be focusing most of its attention.
James Bence said that is the County’s budget schedule, and pages 17-20 would be
good schedules to look at.
Commissioner Bedford said it would have been helpful to have these documents in
advance of this meeting, in order to be familiar with them prior to having the presentation.
A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Price for the
Board to approve the audit contract extension per North Carolina General Statute.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
5. Public Hearings
NONE
6. Regular Agenda
a. Approval of the Proposed Guidelines for the New Orange County Local Rent
Supplement Program (OC-LRSP) and Approval to Enter into an Agreement with
the Orange County Housing Authority to Administer the New OC-LRSP Utilizing
the Locally-Appropriated Funds
The Board considered voting to adopt a resolution approving the proposed program
guidelines for the new Orange County Local Rent Supplement Program (OC-LRSP); and
authorize the County Manager to execute the necessary agreement with the Orange County
Housing Authority to administer the new Orange County Local Rent Supplement Program (OC-
LRSP).
Sherrill Hampton, Housing Director, reviewed the information below:
BACKGROUND:
The Orange County Board of County Commissioners, at its June 19, 2018 regular meeting,
approved an initial $100,000 appropriation for a new local voucher program known as the OC
Local Rent Supplement Program. In addition, the HOME Consortium, now known as the Local
Government Affordable Housing Collaborative and consisting of the Towns of Carrboro, Chapel
Hill, and Hillsborough, as well as Orange County, approved a recommendation to award
$139,613 in FY 2018-19 HOME funds to be used for Tenant-Based Rental Assistance. Of the
aforementioned amount, $114,613 will serve as leveraged resources for the new OC Local Rent
Supplement Program. The remaining amount of $25,000 will be used for the Rapid Re-Housing
Program. The federal Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) approved the FY
2018-2019 HOME grant award on October 3, 2018, and the grant agreement was fully executed
on October 10, 2018 by the County Manager.
The new OC Local Rent Supplement Program (OC-LRSP) in many aspects mirrors the
federally-funded Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program. However, it is also designed to allow
for flexibility in meeting local identified housing needs. Attachment 1 provides a full program
overview and the proposed guidelines of the new OC-LRSP. In addition, a draft implementation
timeline and a copy of HUD’s FY 2019 Fair Market Rents (FMRs) are also included as
Attachments 2 and 3, respectively. The listed rents serve as the payment standards for the
rental subsidies offered under the new program. It should be noted that there has been an
increase in the FMRs in FY 2019 as opposed to those originally cited for FY 2018. OCLRSP is
able to handle the increase in rents due to the leveraging of the HOME funds.
21
However, the increased amount of HOME funds for rent subsidies will decrease the availability
of funds for security deposits and utility connections. Nevertheless, monies from the Risk
Mitigation and Housing Displacement Fund could be allocated to also cover the increase, but
these are usually one-time payments.
Implementation of the new OC-LRSP is proposed to begin in mid-January 2019 with an
announcement of the new program and a briefing for applicable service providers. The
application period is anticipated to begin February 1, 2019. However, this date may be delayed
for 10-15 days due to the integration of new software in order to handle the required new
Waiting List.
Approval is being sought to enter into an agreement with the Orange County Housing Authority.
This is due in part to HUD’s review of the overall agency and best practices in the public
housing industry. HUD requires an agreement between the parties if Housing Authority staff will
be used to conduct any part of the work. Most other communities (District of Columbia, Hawaii,
Massachusetts, Toronto, etc.) in the US and Canada who have or considered having a local or
state voucher program utilize a Housing Authority to administer the program.
Sherrill Hampton provided a sheet of answers to questions she received from
Commissioner Greene’s, the content of which she reviewed below:
RESPONSES TO COMMISSIONER GREENE’S QUESTIONS AND OTHER POINTS OF
CLARIFICATION
Question 1:
What would a “sponsor-based” rental assistance program be?
A Sponsored-based rental assistance component allows even greater flexibility and could be
used in two (2) different ways in conjunction with the Bond Program and/or HOME Program
where (1) a nonprofit or for-profit entity is developing new housing units or acquiring and
rehabilitating units. The vouchers are portable and would allow use at the new and/or acquired
sites, as well as at other sites owned by the participating non-profit and/or for-profit entities.
Under the (2) strategy, the Sponsor-based vouchers could be awarded to entities that agree to
provide supportive services to applicable tenants housed in their affordable units.
Note that this category of rental assistance will be employed in the future if the new program
receives a substantial investment to allow for its implementation. Staff included it in the initial
guidelines in case non-County funding is received in the near future that would allow for its
implementation. The category being recommended for initial implementation is tenant-based as
the funds appropriated only allow for approximately 15-20 vouchers.
Question 2:
Under the section on Funding Policies and Procedures, is there an error when describing
the OCHA Board as OCHA Board of Commissioners?
Yes that is an error. The section should read “The Orange County Board of County
Commissioners (BOCC) will review and approve all policies, procedures and guidelines, as well
as amendments, revisions or other changes for its new Local Rental Supplement Program.
However, given the experience the Orange County Housing Authority (OCHA) has with running
several federally-funded voucher programs, i.e. VASH and the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV)
Program, the BOCC will enter into an agreement with OCHA to administer the Local Rent
Supplement Program on behalf of the County. OCHA cannot implement any major policy
changes without the review and approval of the Orange County Board of County
Commissioners but may make minor changes to allow for best practices in the industry to be
incorporated or other minor revisions to ensure a smooth implementation, i.e. application period,
22
forms of outreach, etc. In addition, the OCHA, from time-to-time, may make recommendations
to the BOCC for other needed changes and/or revisions”.
Page 2 – Responses to Commissioner Greene’s Questions
Question 3:
Under the section on Screening & Assessment, what are the assumptions about support
services that these tenants will get?
For the tenant-based and project-based categories, there are no assumptions about the
provision of supportive services that a tenant may receive. Like the federally-funded Housing
Choice Voucher Program, the provision of supportive services is not mandated. This only takes
place with the Permanent Supportive Housing Voucher Program. That is why the statement is
included in the guidelines that “the individual must not require a level of care that is not offered
by the OC Local Rent Supplement Program”.
Only the Sponsored-base Category allows for an option to award vouchers to entities seeking
vouchers and also providing supportive services. Note that even in this case, the OC-LRSP still
would not be providing funding for supportive services.
Question 4:
Where are the definitions for homelessness and victim of domestic violence? Is it
included in the document?
The definitions were not included in the document but staff used the definitions from the current
HCV Administrative Plan as it relates to homelessness and victims of domestic violence. These
definitions follow HUD policy regarding homelessness and domestic violence.
See attached for excerpts from the Orange County Housing Authority’s Administrative Plan and
Federal Register’s Wednesday, November 16, 2016 edition.
Question 5:
PHA was used a few times in the document. Shouldn’t that have been OCHA?
Yes and no. Staff and HUD utilize “PHA” interchangeably when talking about housing
authorities. Staff is certainly open to making the change, deleting PHA and inserting OCHA
where appropriate.
Question 6:
Please explain the use of criminal background checks and sex offender checks and why
it is based on HCV regulations. Is there any flexibility for local jurisdictions regarding
criminal backgrounds, i.e. the Town of Chapel Hill and its Public Housing Program?
Like the Town of Chapel Hill’s federally-funded Public Housing, the Housing Choice Voucher
(HCV) Program, which is also federally-funded, must follow HUD rules regarding the use of
criminal background and sex offender checks as it relates to awarding or denying assistance.
So when it is mentioned that the County’s new Local Rent Supplement Program will be following
the HCV Program Guidelines as it relates to criminal background and sex offender checks that
is the relaxed policies that HUD requires.
Question 6:
Because the voucher program and the public housing program are so closely related,
Commissioner Greene would like to be sure that there is as much consistency as
possible between the two or she would like an explanation for why they can’t or
shouldn’t be. In addition, the Commissioner would like for County staff to reconsider the
strictness of the proposed policies as it relates to criminal back grounds, etc.
23
While the public housing and voucher programs have similar intent and are both funded by
HUD, the regulations for the programs do differ. To name a few of the more important
differences, see below:
• In public housing, the Housing Authority owns the units and in the HCV Program, the
units are owned by various private property owners. This difference allows HCV
participants a “choice” in selection of the location of their home, as well as serves to
mitigate concentrations of poverty.
• In public housing, the Housing Authority does not have the ability to request a rent
increase each year but instead must rely solely on federal funding to provide for its
capital needs and unit subsidy.
• With the HCV Program, there is no mechanism for having Resident Councils but public
housing allows for the creation of resident councils at the various complexes. The
bylaws of OCHA does allow for resident representation on the Board of Directors.
In the case of the new Local Rent Supplement Program, the County has the opportunity to craft
a program that provides for flexibility given specific needs found throughout all areas of the
County, as Orange County has rural, urban and suburban characteristics. County staff has
recommended that in several instances the new program mirror the current HCV Program
policies to mitigate confusion among constituents and alleviate potential legal ramifications, as
well as follow industry best practices.
As it specifically relates to the criminal background checks and being less restrictive, note the
following:
• Staff proposes that the Orange County Local Rent Supplement Program “mirror” the
criteria of the current HCV Program as it relates to criminal background checks, etc. The
current HCV Program screening criteria is less stringent than the Town of Chapel Hill’s
screening criteria, as I read in the materials forwarded by Commissioner Greene, unless
additional changes have been made to Chapel Hill’s policy since it was adopted. The
proposed LRSP policy, as well as the current HCV policy, allow the flexibility to review
each applicant on a case-by-case basis whereas The Town of Chapel Hill has a more
rigorous, set criminal screening criteria.
• The chart below compares the proposed Orange County LRSP policy with the Town of
Chapel Hill’s policy:
Orange County Local Rent Supplement Program
Town of Chapel Hill
• Currently engaged in is defined as any use of illegal drugs during the previous six
months.
• The following chart summaries the exclusionary periods of ineligibility for admissions to
the public housing program, based on criminal activities:
Table 1: Chart summaries the
exclusionary periods of ineligibility
for admissions to the public housing
program, based on criminal activities
CRIMINAL ACTIVITY
EXCLUSIONARY
PERIOD
Registered Sex Offenders LIFE
Manufacturing Methamphetamine
LIFE
24
Felony Drug Possession with
intent to sell, manufacture or
distribute, trafficking
10 YEARS
Felony-Assault 7 YEARS
Felony-Larceny 7 YEARS
Burglary 7 YEARS
Drug Possession 5-7 YEARS
Felony- Fraud 3 YEARS
Misdemeanor- Larceny
(shoplifting)
2 YEARS
Misdemeanor-Assault 1 YEAR
Trespassing 1 YEAR
Sherrill Hampton referred to page 2 of the table, and said there was a question about
bedroom size. She said staff has a limited budget, and is seeking to stay within the allocated
funds. She said staff looked at the most requested unit sizes, and the way staff would address
this question is highlighted in yellow on the table. She said the need is so great, and staff wants
to manage expectations. She said if one is not meeting the bedroom size by one’s household
size, then one’s application will not be considered at this time.
Sherrill Hampton referred to funding policies on page 3, noting some changes. She said
Commissioner Greene pointed out a discrepancy, which has been corrected and is contained
under question 2 in the response to Commissioner Greene’s question. She said if the Board
approves this tonight, the Housing Authority will administer the local rent supplement program
and can only make very minor changes as relates to implementation; any major change will
require coming back before the Board for approval.
Sherrill Hampton said there was concern that the guidelines very clearly talk about
displacement due to the closure of manufactured home parks, as well as other urgent
community needs. She said this is addressed in item 6.
Sherrill Hampton said there was a question regarding why staff was not targeting
veterans. She said there is a voucher program that is solely for veterans, and if a veteran is
homeless they have a preference. She said staff tried not to pile on too many preferences, in
order to use the number of vouchers available to make a dent in the need. She said due to the
availability of federal programming and resources at the VA, staff did not give veterans a
preference at this time.
Sherrill Hampton referred to page 4 and outreach and marketing, noting that the Board
requested that staff contact social service agencies and other providers within the 10 mile
radius of where the County voucher can be used. She said staff plans to do this, and has
included in the plan.
Sherrill Hampton referred to the top of page 7, which discusses persons displaced due
to an urgent community need, and how they will be addressed. She said this is referring to the
manufactured home park closures. She said these persons will be referred to her office by
EmPowerment, which has the contract for relocation coordination services.
Sherrill Hampton referred to the top of page 8, which further addresses inclusion for
urgent community needs. She said the responses that she provided to Commissioner Greene’s
questions explained that the local rent supplement program will mirror the current policies,
under the Housing Authority’s voucher program, as it relates to criminal background checks.
She said staff looked at the admissions policy from the housing authority in Chapel Hill, which is
public housing and differs from the County’s program. She said her office will review on a case-
by-case basis, and therefore, does not have a rigid set determination. She said her office’s
policy was reviewed and approved by HUD, and meets with HUD requirements and most recent
notice of granting some leeway around criminal background checks.
25
Commissioner Greene said her concern is how to deal with ex-offenders when they
make an application, and she suggested having a joint conversation with the Chapel Hill
Housing Authority to promote more flexibility. She said it would be worthwhile to have a
thoughtful review of the County and the Town’s two policies. She said in Chapel Hill, if one has
an arrest that is dismissed, it does not affect an application in any way. She said it appears,
however, that this is not the same for the County policy.
Commissioner Greene petitioned the Manager to come up with a process and who to
include in this discussion.
Chair Rich said she has found that the County is not consistent with the towns on
several issues regarding housing.
Bonnie Hammersley said County staff meets monthly with the Towns of Chapel Hill,
Hillsborough and Carrboro’s Housing Directors and Managers. She said are all aware of this
local program, and there was interest at one time on the part of the Town of Chapel Hill but
there has been a changeover in management. She said staff will continue this conversation.
Commissioner Greene said this particular conversation may only need to include Chapel
Hill, and it would be helpful to have a thorough and thoughtful review of this one policy, with the
involvement elected officials.
Commissioner Dorosin said this is exciting and echoed Commissioner Greene’s
comments. He said he would like to come up with another name or acronym for this program,
as OCLRSP is cumbersome. He suggested OCRA: Orange County Rental Assistance, or
something else that is catchy, and easy to market and remember.
Other Commissioners noted that there is already a program with the acronym OCRA
(Orange County Rural Assistance).
Commissioner Dorosin said the point remains, and this program must be promoted. He
said it is a great program.
Commissioner Greene commended all of the hard work that had gone into this program
and policy:
A motion was made by Commissioner Dorosin, seconded by Commissioner Price for the
Board to adopt and authorize the Chair to sign a resolution:
1) Approving the proposed guidelines for the OC Local Rent Supplement Program; and
2) Authorizing the County Manager to execute the necessary agreement with the Orange
County Housing Authority after consultation with the County Attorney.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
b. County Commissioners: Boards and Commissions Assignments
The Board considered selecting the Boards and Commissions on which Board members
would like to serve going into 2019.
Chair Rich said the Board changed this process last year: the intragovernmental boards
would be 2 one-year terms; and the regional boards would be 4 one-year terms. She said there
are a few other snags that should be reviewed at a later date, but tonight the Commissioners
will just choose boards. She said the reasoning behind the duration of service on the various
boards is due to some boards have large learning curves, and it makes sense to serve longer
than just one year. She said the process starts with the most senior commissioner choosing
first.
Commissioner Bedford said she would like to know the responsibilities and expectations
of some of these boards.
26
Chair Rich said the Commissioners are liaisons to these boards, and the first
responsibility it to attend the meetings of these boards. She said if one cannot attend, one
should inform the Clerk who would see if anyone else can attend.
Chair Rich said sometimes members give updates during Commissioner comments at
BOCC meetings, or by email if the update is particularly long in nature.
Chair Rich asked if John Roberts would clarify the importance of not having more than
three Board of County Commissioners members at a meeting.
John Roberts said if four BOCC members attend, it is considered an official BOCC
meeting as that number constitutes a quorum, and it would violate open meeting and notice
laws.
Chair Rich said a Commissioner can attend a meeting to which said Commissioner is
not a liaison, but to be careful to keep open meeting and notice laws in mind. She said it would
be wise to notify the Clerk and the assigned Commissioner prior to attending.
Process Governing the Selection Process of BOCC Boards/Commissions Assignments
1. Each Commissioner is to have one “save” (senior members to go first)--(choosing one board
that they currently serve on and service as an officer is not an automatic exemption):
• Appointments to regional boards are to be no more than 4 years.
• Appointments to intra-county boards are to be no more than 2 years.
The round robin process will continue as in the past below:
2. The junior member will then pick one board first in the first round and then least senior
members of the Board will choose one board on which to serve (suggestion is to do this
alphabetically - by last name)
3. In the second round, the senior member will pick first, and then the other senior members to
the least senior member will pick
4. And then it is back to the junior member.
BOARD NAME MEETING DATE
BOCC MEMBER BOCC member Serving
2018
BOCC Member Serving
2019
STATUTORY
ABC Board Monthly, Third Tues
8:30 AM-ABC offices
in Hillsborough
Commissioner Not
Required (non-voting
member)
Commissioner Price Commissioner Price
Board of Health Monthly, Fourth Wed
7:00 PM-at Health
Dept in Hillsborough
1 Commissioner
Required
Commissioner Burroughs Commissioner McKee
Board of Social Services Monthly, Third
Monday- 4:00 PM at
DSS offices in
Hillsborough
2 appointees
Commissioner not
required but usually a
Commissioner serves
Commissioner McKee
Commissioner Bedford
Central Community Board
(Orange, Person and
Chatham Counties are now
combined with Alamance
and Caswell Counties)
Quarterly 1 Commissioner or
designee
1 Consumer/Family
member
1 Citizen/
Stakeholder
Commissioner Price Commissioner Bedford
INTERGOVERNMENTAL
and OTHER GROUPS
WITH BOCC MEMBERS
Burlington/Graham MPO 5x/year-(or more as Requires Commissioner McKee- Member- Commissioner
27
Transportation Advisory
Committee
needed) Tuesdays
at 5pm in Burlington
1 Commissioner
member
1 Alternate
Commissioner
Member
Commissioner Burroughs
- Alternate
Bedford
Alternate-Commissioner
McKee
Chatham Orange Joint
Planning Task Force
3x/year- alternates
between Orange
County and
Chatham County
2 Commissioners
Commissioner Rich
Commissioner Marcoplos
Member- Commissioner
Price
Alternate- Chair Rich
Chapel Hill/Carrboro
Chamber of Commerce
Monthly
Third Thursdays at
8:30am at Chamber
1 BOCC member Commissioner McKee Commissioner McKee
Community Home Trust
BOD
Monthly-2nd
Thursdays at 6pm at
CHT office
1 Commissioner
Required
Commissioner McKee Commissioner McKee
Durham- Chapel Hill –
Carrboro Metropolitan
Planning Organization
(MPO)- Transportation
Advisory Committee
(DCHC-MPO)
Monthly- 2nd Monday
at 9am in Durham
1 Commissioner
1 Commissioner
Alternate
Commissioner Price-
Member
Commissioner Marcoplos-
Alternate
Member- Commissioner
Price
Alternate: Chair Rich
Durham- Orange-Chapel
Hill Work Group
Quarterly- at noon -
rotates locations-
Durham/
Chapel Hill/Orange
County
2 BOCC Members
Commissioner Jacobs
Commissioner Rich
Commissioner Marcoplos
Commissioner Bedford
Durham Tech Board of
Trustees
6x/per year- usually
4th Tuesday of
month at 4-6pm
(locations move
about)
Plus there are
committee meetings
2 Appointees– one
Commissioner
One resident- already
appointed
Commissioner Marcoplos-
Member
Commissioner Marcoplos
Family Success Alliance Meets 6x per year-1-
3pm
Alternates –
northern and
southern Orange
County
2 Commissioners
Commissioner Burroughs
Commissioner Marcoplos
Commissioner Price
Commissioner Marcoplos
Fire Chief’s Association of
Orange County
Bi-monthly – first
Weds.-7pm
Commissioner not
required as member –
but can attend as
guest(s)
Commissioner McKee Commissioner Dorosin
Food Council Meets 1/x per Month
( usually the 1st
Monday at 4:00)
Alternates between
Chapel Hill and
Hillsborough
1 Commissioner
Commissioner Rich Commissioner Greene
Go Triangle Board of
Trustees
Monthly
3rd Wed-12pm in
Durham
1 Commissioner
Commissioner Marcoplos Commissioner Marcoplos
Go Triangle Special Tax
Board
Meets every January
(more often if
needed) in Durham
at GoT office
2 Commissioners
required
Commissioner Burroughs
Commissioner Price
Commissioner Price
Chair Rich
Go Triangle Community
Advisory Committee-
6x per year (
assuming they will
meet at Go T
offices)
1 Board of County
Commissioners’
Liaison
Commissioner Price Commissioner Price
Healthy Carolinians Meets quarterly (3rd Commissioner not Chair Dorosin Commissioner Dorosin
28
Thursdays at
8:30am)
required –often same
BOCC Member as on
the Board of Health
Orange County Local
Government Affordable
Housing Collaborative (the
Collaborative)
Quarterly 1 Commissioner
Required
Commissioner Marcoplos Commissioner Dorosin
Intergovernmental Parks
Work Group
Meets 3 times per
year at 5:30pm-on
Wed.
at SHSC
1 Commissioner
Member
1 Alternate
Commissioner
Chair Dorosin –Member
Commissioner McKee -
Alternate
Member- Commissioner
McKee
Alternate- Commissioner
Bedford
Joint Public Safety Training
Facility Work Group
Meets as needed at
ES
2 Commissioners
Chair Dorosin
Commissioner Price
Commissioner Dorosin
Jordan Lake One Water
Association- Elected
Officials
Meets the third
Wednesday of every
other month from
9:00 AM to 11:00
AM at TJCOG
1 Commissioner
Commissioner Jacobs Commissioner Marcoplos
Justice Advisory Council Quarterly (Friday
afternoons-3:30pm)
in Hillsborough
2 Commissioners
Commissioner Jacobs
Chair Dorosin
Commissioner Dorosin
Commissioner Greene
JCPC (Orange County
Juvenile Crime Prevention
Council)
Meets 6-7x per year
(every other month)
Fridays at noon
1 Commissioner
Commissioner Burroughs Chair Rich
LIWG ( Legislative Issues
Work Group)
Meets as needed 2 Commissioners
Term - one year
Commissioner Rich
Chair Dorosin
Commissioner Dorosin
Commissioner Price
NACo Voting Delegate 1 Commissioner
Required
Commissioner Price Commissioner Price
(12/2/18)
NCACC Voting Delegate 1 Commissioner
Required
May have alternate
Commissioner Price Commissioner Dorosin
(12/3/2018)
N/S BRT (North/South
Bus Rapid Transit) policy
committee
As needed 1 Commissioner
Commissioner Jacobs Commissioner Dorosin
Orange County Partnership
for Young Children
Bi-monthly- Last
Wednesday-at
8:30am-alternates –
Chapel
Hill/Hillsborough
1 Commissioner
Commissioner Burroughs Commissioner Bedford
Partnership to End
Homelessness
Monthly- 1 Commissioner Commissioner Burroughs Commissioner Greene
Schools Joint Action
Committee
TBD 1 Commissioner
Commissioner Rich Commissioner Rich
(just appointed in 11/18 –
group hasn’t met yet)
Small Business Loan
Program
Meets monthly as
needed to vet
applications
received (usually
7:30am on Fridays
in Hillsborough)
1 Commissioner
Commissioner Jacobs Commissioner Bedford
29
Solid Waste Advisory
Group (SWAG)
Meets as needed 2 Commissioners
Commissioner Jacobs
Commissioner Marcoplos
Chair Rich
Commissioner Marcoplos
Strategic Communications
Work Group
Meets as needed
2 Commissioners
Commissioners
(internal)
Community Relations
Director
Commissioner Rich
Commissioner Marcoplos
Commissioner McKee
Commissioner Price
Triangle Area Rural
Planning Organization
(TARPO) Transportation
Advisory Committee
Bi-monthly-
meetings at 12pm,
alternates counties –
Lee and Chatham
1 Commissioner
Member
1 Alternate
Commissioner
Commissioner Marcoplos
– Member
Commissioner Rich-
Alternate
Member- Commissioner
Greene
Alternate- Commissioner
Marcoplos
TJCOG Meet 1x per month-
Last Wednesday
6pm
1 Commissioner
1 Alternate
Commissioner McKee –
Member
Commissioner Rich-
Alternate
Member- Commissioner
Greene
Alternate – Chair Rich
Upper Neuse River Basin
Association
Bi- monthly at
9:30am-12:00pm
(meets in Butner)
One Director Position
Two Alternate
Positions
Commissioner McKee-
Member
Alternate- Commissioner
Price as of 3/8/18
Member- Commissioner
Greene
Alternate – Chair Rich
Workforce Development
Board – Regional
Partnership
Meets monthly in
various counties-
Does not require a
Commissioner-usually
has been 1 Non-
Voting
Liaison
Nancy Coston Nany Coston
Visitor’s Bureau 8:00 am third Wed.,
monthly, no meeting
in July/December
1 Commissioner
Required
Commissioner Rich Chair Rich
EX-OFFICIO
Hillsborough/Orange County Chamber of Commerce- does not
require a Commissioner
Chair Serves
NC DOT Quarterly Meetings Chair/Vice Chair
School Collaboration Meetings Chair/Vice Chair
A motion was made by Commissioner Dorosin, seconded by Commissioner Price to
approve these appointments.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
Commissioner Marcoplos referred to Chair Rich’s comments at the beginning of this
item, and said this process can still be improved. He said last year the goal was to ensure that
no Commissioner had a lifetime appointment to any committee, which was achieved by the
changes made. He said the Board also acknowledged the need to serve for longer on some
boards due to the learning curve; however, there was no formal process put in place to ensure
this. He said he would like to discuss this at a future work session, and wants to know how the
Board makes the most of its power by putting the right people in these very important positions,
part of which is allowing the person to stay in the position for more than a year.
Chair Rich said one can be on a board for two years and when it comes time to choose,
it may be that no other Commissioners want the position. She said this begs the question of
whether the original Commissioner should be able to remain on the board. She agreed there
are details that need to be ironed out.
30
The Clerk said this process was approved previously, but there is merit in having further
discussion.
Commissioner Dorosin said the Board honored the process it established last year, and
he would argue against any one Commissioner becoming “an expert” on a particular
board/commission, or the notion that one Commissioner may be better suited to serving a
particular board than another.
7. Reports
NONE
8. Consent Agenda
• Removal of Any Items from Consent Agenda
Commissioner Greene: 8-d
• Approval of Remaining Consent Agenda
A motion was made by Commissioner Greene, seconded by Commissioner Bedford to
approve the remaining items on the Consent Agenda.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
• Discussion and Approval of the Items Removed from the Consent Agenda
8-d Resolution of Approval – Adopt Best Management Practices for Roadsides and
Utility Rights-of-Way that Benefit Pollinators and Native Plants in Orange County, NC
The Board considered voting to approve a resolution to implement voluntary roadside
and utility rights-of-way best management practices that will increase the visibility, enjoyment,
and conservation of pollinators and native plants along the roadways and utility rights-of-way in
Orange County and authorize the Chair to sign.
Commissioner Greene read the item, and said this has been a discussion that has gone
on for a long time. She invited Johnny Randall to come forward.
Johnny Randall, Botanical Gardens, said he has had great interest in this topic for a long
time, and Orange County is taking a leadership role in the right-of-ways (ROWs). He said he
hopes this will be a model that the rest of the State can follow.
Commissioner Price thanked Johnny Randall for sticking with this over the years.
Commissioner Marcoplos asked if it is difficult to work with the utility companies on this.
Johnny Randall said yes it is. He said the Department of Transportation (DOT) does the
mowing, but the power lines are adjacent to the roadside. He said he looks forward to having
more discussions with the utility companies to create a solution that is economical and mutually
beneficial.
Commissioner Marcoplos said a resident recently contacted him about the Duke Energy
sprayers on the edge of her farm, expressing concern.
Johnny Randall said the utility companies contract much of the work out, and the utility
companies may not have as much control as suspected.
Commissioner Price said one used to be able to contact utility companies and request
that pesticides not be used on one’s private property, but this may no longer be true.
Johnny Randall said he thinks this is still true, but the landowner would be responsible
for controlling the woody vegetation that interferes with the utilities.
A motion was made by Commissioner Greene, seconded by Commissioner McKee to
approve a resolution to implement voluntary roadside and utility right-of-way best management
31
practices that will increase the visibility, enjoyment, and conservation of pollinators and native
plants along the roadways and utility rights-of-way in Orange County and authorize the Chair to
sign.
VOTE: UNANIOUS
a. Minutes – None
b. Fiscal Year 2018-19 Budget Amendment #4
The Board approved budget and capital project ordinance amendments for fiscal year 2018-19
for the Health Department; Library Services; Orange County Public Transportation; County
Capital Projects; Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation; Department of
Social Services; and Emergency Services.
c. Resolution of Approval – Conservation Easement on Walker Farm and Approval of
Budget Amendment #4-A
The Board approved a resolution, which is incorporated by reference, to the purchase of and
acceptance by Orange County of an agricultural conservation easement for the Walker Farm,
and approve Budget Amendment #4-A and authorized the Chair to sign.
d. Resolution of Approval – Adopt Best Management Practices for Roadsides and Utility
Rights-of-Way that Benefit Pollinators and Native Plants in Orange County, NC
The Board approved a resolution, which is incorporated by reference, to implement voluntary
roadside and utility rights-of-way best management practices that will increase the visibility,
enjoyment, and conservation of pollinators and native plants along the roadways and utility
rights-of-way in Orange County and authorized the Chair to sign.
e. Schools Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (SAPFO) – Approval of Membership
and Capacity Numbers
The Board approved November 15, 2018 membership and capacity numbers for both school
districts (Orange County and Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools) which will be used in
developing 10-year student membership projections and the 2019 SAPFO Technical Advisory
Committee (SAPFOTAC) Report.
f. Agreement with the State for Federal Assistance
The Board approved an agreement with the State of North Carolina for assistance related to the
recovery from the September 14-17, 2018 Hurricane Florence Incident and authorized the Chair
to sign.
g. Designation of Orange County Agent for FEMA Public Assistance
The Board designated an agent for Orange County’s application for FEMA’s Public Assistance
for the recovery related to Hurricane Florence, September 14-17, 2018 and authorized the Chair
to sign.
h. Service Renewal with Spectrum for Connecting County Buildings with Network
Services and Dedicated Internet Access
The Board approved a Service Renewal between Orange County and Charter Communications
Operating, LLC for network services and upgrade of Dedicated Internet Access (DIA) from
200Mbs to 500Mbps and authorized the Manager to sign.
9. County Manager’s Report
Bonnie Hammersley noted the information items on the agenda, particularly the
Memorandum on Unified Development Ordinance text amendment clarifying enforcement of
Nutrient Standards. She said this has come to the BOCC in the past as an abstract, and the
Board approved the Planning Board to proceed in this process. She said this is under
information items simply to inform the Board that this is going forward as a text amendment, and
not that it has been completed.
32
Bonnie Hammersley introduced Orange County’s new Child Support Director Erica
Bryant.
10. County Attorney’s Report
John Roberts said in addition to the well-reported bills that the General Assembly (GA)
passed (elections and voter ID) the legislature also revisited some statutory requirements and
technical aspects in a technical corrections bill. He said this impacts local governments as the
GA eliminated the requirement for cable/telecom services to provide evidence and maps of how
many households they skip over in their service areas. He said the Republican legislator who
pushed that indicated that in the upcoming long session they will put forward a bill that will
replace that and be better than what was being used. He said they clarified that local
governments cannot require new or increased stormwater controls for preexisting
developments, and that that has to go in stormwater ordinances, and they further restricted
town’s ability to impose fees for the review of small cell applications.
Commissioner Dorosin asked if the Governor has signed the technical corrections bill
yet.
John Roberts said no, it has been ratified by both houses, but is waiting for the
Governor’s signature.
Chair Rich asked if Commissioner Dorosin thinks the Governor will not sign it.
Commissioner Dorosin said there is some controversial stuff in there about municipal
charter schools and the innovative school district.
11. *Appointments
Commission for the Environment – Appointments
The Board considered making re-appointments to the Commission for the Environment.
A motion was made by Commissioner Dorosin, seconded by Commissioner Marcoplos
to appoint the following to the Commission for the Environment:
• Position 12 James Eichel to an At-Large Engineering for a First Full Term ending
12/31/2021
• Position 13 Matt Crook to an At-Large Position for a First Full Term ending 12/31/2021
• Position 14 Lynne Gronback to an At-Large position for a Second Full Term ending
12/31/2021
• Position 15 Bradley Saul to an At-Large Position for a First Full Term ending 12/31/2021
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
12. Information Items
• December 3, 2018 BOCC Meeting Follow-up Actions List
• Memorandum - Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Text Amendments Clarifying
Enforcement of Nutrient Standards
• Memorandum - Water Resources Information Item
• Memorandum - County Revenue Manual
• Memorandum - County Government Academy for Orange County Residents
13. Closed Session
33
A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Dorosin to
go into closed session at 9:50 p.m. for the purposes of:
“To discuss the County’s position and to instruct the County Manager and County Attorney on
the negotiating position regarding the terms of a contract to purchase real property,” NCGS §
143-318.11(a)(5).
“To discuss matters related to the location or expansion of industries or other businesses in the
area served by the public body, including agreement on a tentative list of economic
development incentives that may be offered by the public body in negotiations,” NCGS § 143-
318.11(a)(4).
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
RECONVENE INTO REGULAR SESSION
A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Greene to go
back into regular session at 10:35 p.m.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
14. Adjournment
A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Greene to
adjourn the meeting at 10:35 p.m.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
Penny Rich, Chair
Donna Baker
Clerk to the Board