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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 12-05-2022; 6-a - Discussion on Process for Board of Commissioners Vacancy 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: December 5, 2022 Action Agenda Item No. 6-a SUBJECT: Discussion on Process for Board of Commissioners Vacancy DEPARTMENT: Board of Commissioners ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Application Utilized for 2021 Board Vacancy John Roberts, County Attorney, 919- 245-2318 Laura Jensen, Clerk to the Board, 919- 245-2130 PURPOSE: To discuss the process by which the upcoming vacancy on the Board of Commissioners ("BOCC") will be filled. BACKGROUND: Commissioner Renee Price was recently elected to the North Carolina General Assembly. Commissioner Price notified the Board of Commissioners that she will be resigning her position effective December 31, 2022. Orange County is subject to North Carolina General Statute (NCGS) 153A-27, which provides that in Orange County, a vacancy is filled by the BOCC subject to several pre-requisites. The nominee must be a member of the same political party as that of the member being replaced and a resident of the same district. Before filling the vacancy, the BOCC must also consult the appropriate political party, but is not bound by the party's recommendation. The BOCC may either conduct the applicant evaluation process itself or, as it has done in the past, allow the Orange County Democratic Party to conduct the applicant evaluation process. The Board would then receive one or more recommended applicants from the Party and appoint a new Board member. The BOCC must fill the vacancy within 60 days of the date the vacancy becomes effective — December 31, 2022. The deadline for the Board to fill the vacancy is March 1, 2023. If not filled by that date, the Clerk of Superior Court must fill the vacancy. Pursuant to NCGS 153A-27, the appointee will serve in the position for the remainder of Commissioner Price's unexpired term. The last vacancy on the Board of County Commissioners in 2021 was created by the resignation of Mark Dorosin and was filled through an open process in which the Orange County Democratic Party evaluated the applications, interviewed those applicants, and presented four applicants to the BOCC for consideration. Should the BOCC choose to follow the same process as in 2021, the application process is proposed to begin in December 2022. The 2021 application (for potential use again in the current process) is attached for Board reference and discussion/revision. The 2021 application included questions from the BOCC and from the Orange County Democratic Party. It is proposed that applications be accepted through January 6, 2023, with all eligible applications then being forwarded to the Orange County Democratic Party. The Party would review the applications and nominate candidate(s) to the BOCC by January 30, 2023, in time for Board consideration at the February 7, 2023 Business meeting. 2 FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this action. SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: There is no Orange County Social Justice Goal impact associated with this item. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: There is no Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal impact associated with this item. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board discuss the process, options, and Vacancy Application, and provide direction to the Clerk to the Board and County Attorney on next steps. 3 Orange County Board of Commissioners - Vacancy Application Name: Address: Email: Phone: Registered Voter?yes_no_ Party Affiliation: Questions: 1. What motivates you to want to serve as an Orange County commissioner, including why are you seeking an appointment now, as opposed to running for the seat during a previous election? 2. What do you consider to be one of the most important characteristics of a county commissioner? What in your experience demonstrates your ability to be effective as a commissioner?What is your experience in shared governance or leadership?What steps do you take in making decisions? 3. How would your appointment enhance diversity of the BOCC? Applications are due to the Orange County Clerk to the Board by 5 pm on July 19,2021. Completed applications can be emailed to clerk@orangecountync.gov or delivered to 300 W. Tryon St.,2°d Flr., Hillsborough, NC 27278. 4 Orange County Board of Commissioners - Vacancy Application 4. What do you see as the most urgent unmet needs facing Orange County. Please limit to 5 or less and prioritize these needs, particularly if listing more than 3. 5. If you could change one thing about the current county budget, what would that be? 6. What is your assessment of the county's funding practices with regard to the two school systems? How do you propose the BOCC meet over$300 million in K-12 public schools capital needs? 7. Do you support the 1909 Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools special district tax? How should it be used? Applications are due to the Orange County Clerk to the Board by 5 pm on July 19,2021. Completed applications can be emailed to clerk@orangecountync.gov or delivered to 300 W. Tryon St.,2°d Flr., Hillsborough, NC 27278. 5 Orange County Board of Commissioners - Vacancy Application 8. What is your vision for how Orange County should grow economically? 9. One of the unfortunate outcomes of the pandemic is that the wealth gap has grown even greater. We anticipate what economists call a K-shaped recovery, in which pre-existing inequities are exacerbated.This disparity largely falls along lines of race. How can county commissioners ensure that prosperity in the coming years is more equitably shared? 10. What steps do you think the Board of Commissioners could take to address the chronic lack of affordable housing in the county? Applications are due to the Orange County Clerk to the Board by 5 pm on July 19,2021. Completed applications can be emailed to clerk@orangecountync.gov or delivered to 300 W. Tryon St.,2°d Flr., Hillsborough, NC 27278. 6 Orange County Board of Commissioners - Vacancy Application 11. What should the county government be doing to address the climate crisis? 12. Orange County is in the process of revising its long-term transit plan in the aftermath of the failure of the Durham-Orange light rail project. What do you believe a new plan should emphasize?What potential initiatives would you like to support? 13. How should the BOCC interact with other governments—i.e.,town councils, NC General Assembly? Applications are due to the Orange County Clerk to the Board by 5 pm on July 19,2021. Completed applications can be emailed to clerk@orangecountync.gov or delivered to 300 W. Tryon St.,2°d Flr., Hillsborough, NC 27278.