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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 02-07-2023; 4-a - Discussion and Appointment for the Vacant Position on the Orange County Board of Commissioners 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: February 7, 2023 Action Agenda Item No. 4-a SUBJECT: Discussion and Appointment for the Vacant Position on the Orange County Board of Commissioners DEPARTMENT: Board of Commissioners ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Applications for BOCC Vacancy Laura Jensen, Clerk to the Board, 919- January 2023 Correspondence from the 245-2130 Orange County Democratic Party PLEASE NOTE THAT NO PUBLIC COMMENT WILL BE ACCEPTED AT THE MEETING ON THIS ITEM. PURPOSE: To discuss nominees to the vacant position on the Board of County Commissioners, hear comments from nominees for the position, and make an appointment. BACKGROUND: At its December 5, 2023 Business Meeting, the Board of County Commissioners addressed the issue of filling the vacant District 2 seat on the Board, which occurred on December 31, 2022. State statute requires that the Board consult the political party with which the departing commissioner is affiliated. The Board decided on the following course of action for filling the vacancy, which follows a similar process used for filling a previous vacancy in 2021 : • The application form for nomination was produced and advertised by the Clerk to the Board Laura Jensen, after revisions were suggested by the Board of County Commissioners. • Applications for the vacancy were submitted to the Clerk to the Board by Friday, January 6, 2023, at 5:00 pm. Any individual wanting to be considered for the vacancy had to submit an application. • The Clerk's Office forwarded all applications to the Orange County Democratic Party and BOCC members for review. In addition, the applications were sent to the Board of Elections to verify eligibility of each candidate. • The Orange County Democratic Party had until January 30, 2023 to review the applications and provide a nomination/nominations to the Clerk to the Board and the Chair of the BOCC. • The BOCC agreed to consider the nominations and vote by ballot on an individual to fill the vacancy at the February 7, 2023 BOCC meeting. 2 According to State statute, the appointment of a new Board member must be made within sixty days of the vacancy. Otherwise, the Clerk of Superior Court shall make the appointment. Thus, the BOCC has a deadline of March 1, 2023 to make an appointment. The Clerk to the Orange County Board of Commissioners received applications from the following individuals for the commissioner vacancy by the published deadline of 5:00 pm on Friday, January 6, 2023. Director of Elections Rachel Raper has confirmed that all of the applicants are registered Democrats and reside in District 2, making them eligible for appointment to the vacant seat. • Gail Corrado • Horace Johnson • Phyllis Portie-Ascott • Brenda Stephens • Natalie Ziemba On January 17, 2023, Gail Corrado formally withdrew her name from consideration for the vacancy. The applications from each remaining applicant are attached. Following the process used when filling a previous vacancy in 2021, the applicants will each have two minutes to address the Board prior to any action. Correspondence from the Orange County Democratic Party is also attached regarding consideration of the applicants. The person chosen by the Board of Commissioners will take the Oath of Office at the February 16, 2023 Board work session and begin service at that meeting. The selected individual will serve until December 2, 2024, and a primary and general election will occur in 2024 to elect an individual to serve a full, four-year term through 2028. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this item. 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 nominees for the vacant BOCC position, hear comments from the nominees, and consider voting by ballot to appoint an individual to serve in the vacant position on the Board of Commissioners. f 3 � Orange County Board of Commissioners-Vacancy Application k I k Name: Horace H.Johnson Jr Address: P.O- Box 473, 632 Cedar Grove Rd, Hillsborough, NC 27278 ; Email: hjohnson134@nc.rr.com Phone: 919-593-2477 Registered Voter?yes noF—I Party Affiliation: Democrat 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? Reason for not running for a seat/position in the previous election: Diagnosis of a neurological disorder re:one of my parents required my full attention in securing treatment and around the clock care for my parent. My parents come first.. My goal was achieved What Motivates Me:The needs of the people i've met throughout the county that say to me and believe that no one gives a damn about them!That their voices go unheard,That they are never asked what their issues are,that they are the last in the equation to be considered when policies are being considered that will greatly effect them, that face gentrification.The opportunity to be part of a team that makes Preservation of Historical Neighborhoods a priorty 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? Communication skills. My most recent experience was my gained by working in a team member capacity with a local community based organization to research ways to better inform county residents that are homeowers of the County Tax assistance program that was being offered and and provide professional assistance,to those that qualifed, but were still in need of help to understand the questions and fill out the forms. I Currently serve on the Board of Preservation Foundation of Historical Hillsborough aswell a Commitee engaged by the Alliance of Historical Hillsborough. Finally, I have been at My fathers side during his political career. Sometimes as an adviser, but definitely more as a student of how to negotiate for things needed for the people. I make my decisions based on facts! Facts are like the truth.Stick with truth. 3. How would your appointment enhance diversity of the BOCC? Most obvious, my appointment would be the addtion of a African American Male. But more importantly, my appointment to the BOCC would ensure diversity of thought,and insure that all individuals residing in Orange County have a strong, accessible, unbiased representative to whom they can voice their concerns and or fears related to issues and or events that may have a negative or positive affect in their daily lives and coming future. Applications are due to the Orange County Clerk to the Board by 5 pm on January 6,2023. 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. 1.Tax assistence for senoir homeowners that qualify(Outreach) 2. Shelter for the Homeless/Domestic Violence Victims 3. Impoving and Maintaning Grade school reading and writing levels 4. Broadban I 5.Address the local traffic issue I 5. If you could change one thing about the current county budget,what would that be? Increase funding for shelters/housing for the homeless and victims of domestic abuse 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? This is a very complicated issue. I suggest that a search for an outside consultant that specializes in assessing the needs of the schools and identifying altenative funding sources be conducted. It's the only way to insure that nothing is overlooked regrading the needs of the facilities. 7. Do you support the 1909 Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools special district tax?How should it be used? Irrespective of the originators,of the CHCCS special tax, intent, the funds generated by the Special Tax, should be used to research, develope,and implement programs and teaching methods that will be of benefit to ALL children in and effort to insure that they learn how to read and write at the level required to futher their education post K-12, and to hire those individuals uniquely trained to insure that the levels required are reached and maintained. Applications are due to the Orange County Clerk to the Board by 5 pm on January 6,2023. Completed applications can be emailed to cierk@orangecountync.gov or delivered to 300 W. Tryon St.,2"d Or., r Hillsborough, NC 27278. , 3 5 Orange County Board of Commissioners -Vacancy Application 8. What is your vision for how Orange County should grow economically? Redirect focus from past place-based initiatives that typically were too focused on attracting outside investment rather than growing local assets, and often too expansive or determined by political interests,to place based intiatives that focus on community centered economic inclusion. In reality,we would redefine the Where, Who, What and How 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? I think one option is researching community-centered economic inclusion. It is a place-based approach that values process as well as outcomes in achieving equity—seeking to build ' community power,shift relational dynamics, and bridge policy siloes,all while working toward equity-focused neighborhood-level change. 10. What steps do you think the Board of Commissioners could take to address the chronic lack of affordable housing in the county? Research the possiblity of improving housing voucher programs. Maintain and research increasing funding for the emergency rental assistance program, research community land trust. If possible, re-evaluate how contracts are award to potential contractors when planning land development for housing. I'm sure there are many things that can be reviewed as potential solutions. Applications are due to the Orange County Clerk to the Board by 5 pm on January 6, 2023. Completed applications can be emailed to clerk@orangecountync.gov or delivered to 300 W. Tryon St.,2nd 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? I believe the county has proposed to convert nine vehicles recommended for replacement to electric models and to additional replacements to Hybrid models.That is in my opinon, a great start... lead by example. I 12. How should the BOCC interact with other governments—i.e.,town councils, NC General Assembly? Q In accordance with the Law to ensure that residents concerns are met and that town and state requirements are met. It should be a Bias free evironmentl The BOCC,Town Councils, NC General Assembly all ONE TEAMIII Applications are due to the Orange County Clerk to the Board by 5 pm on January 6,2023. Completed applications can be emailed to clerk@orangecountync.gov or delivered to 300 W. Tryon St.,2"d F/r., Hillsborough, NC 27278. 7 Orange County Board of Commissioners -Vacancy Application Name: Phyllis Portie-Ascott Address: 723 Churton Grove Blvd Hillsborough, NC 27278 Email: phyllisascott@gmail.com Phone: 919452-3871 Registered Voter?yes RjnoR Party Affiliation: Democrat 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? SEE ATTACHED 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? A commissioner's most important characteristic is being collaborative. I' ve demonstrated this while serving on the Northern Orange NAACP leadership team and the Orange County Democratic Party. While leading the County Party as Acting Chair, I recruited an entirely new leadership team who were passionate and dedicated to achieving the party's goals. During leadership meetings and phone calls with individual team members,we created a space of mutual respect,where colleagues were encouraged to share all opinions including those that were unpopular. Certainly,there are times when executive decisions must be made in urgent situations, but generally, I believe in a collaborative approach to leadership. 3. How would your appointment enhance diversity of the BOCC? SEE ATTACHED Applications are due to the Orange County Clerk to the Board by 5 pm on January 6,2023. Completed applications can be emailed to clerk@orangecountync.gov or delivered to 300 W. Tryon St.,2nd Flr., Hillsborough, NC 27278. 8 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. Affordable and reliable broadband access Affordable housing including rentals. Expand healthcare resources for individuals needing behavioral healthcare. Access to Childcare. Equitable Education in a safe environment. 5. If you could change one thing about the current county budget,what would that be? Considering the significant labor shortage impacting every sector in this county,the implications for our most vulnerable populations, such as our students and people needing behavioral health services, suggest that we act quickly. For that reason, I would increase funding to those departments for competitive wages and benefits. 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? Students have the best opportunity to become the best learners in a safe and comfortable learning environment. I would consult with fellow commissioners,school board members,staff, and stakeholders to understand the priorities of the capital needs before meeting with both school systems to discuss their greatest needs and desires. 7. Do you support the 1909 Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools special district tax? How should it be used? As a strong supporter of public education,every funding source is essential to students' success,so I support leveraging this funding source to meet local school needs. Applications are due to the Orange County Clerk to the Board by 5 pm on January 6,2023. Completed applications can be emailed to clerk[a orangecountync.gov or delivered to 300 W. Tryon St.,2"d Flr., Hillsborough, NC 27278. 9 Orange County Board of Commissioners -Vacancy Application 8. What is your vision for how Orange County should grow economically? Creating an Orange County where everyone can both live AND work would be ideal.As we recruit businesses,the growth must be sustainable and environmentally friendly.A focus on economic growth around healthcare and supporting services would play to the strengths of our community. In addition,the expansion of services that support sustainable farming would enable Orange to continue to be a leader in innovating programs that reach all parts of our county. 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? SEE ATTACHED 10. What steps do you think the Board of Commissioners could take to address the chronic lack of affordable housing in the county? SEE ATTACHED Applications are due to the Orange County Clerk to the Board by 5 pm on January 6,2023. Completed applications can be emailed to clerk@ orangecountync.gov or delivered to 300 W. Tryon St.,2"d Flr., Hillsborough,NC 27278. 10 Orange County Board of Commissioners -Vacancy Application 11. What should the county government be doing to address the climate crisis? If one doesn't exist, establish a Climate Crisis Plan. I would work to understand better the direct impact of the climate crisis on our entire community and work to implement a plan to mitigate the crisis. 12. How should the BOCC interact with other governments—i.e.,town councils, NC General Assembly? From my observation,the BOCC has a good working relationship with our legislative and municipal delegation. Consistent collaboration with other counties may be mutually beneficial as it ensures awareness of what each is attempting to achieve and may reveal interferences in implementing practices or policies beneficial to future Orange County projects. Applications are due to the Orange County Clerk to the Board by 5 pm on January 6,2023. Completed applications can be emailed to clerk@orangecountync.gov or delivered to 300 W. Tryon St.,2°d Flr., Hillsborough, NC 27278. 11 1 Orange County Board of Commissioners -Vacancy Application Name: Phyllis Portie-Ascott Address: 723 Churton Grove Blvd. Hillsborough, NC 27278 Email: phyllisascott@gmail.com Phone: 919-452-3871 Registered Voter? yes x no Party Affiliation: Democrat 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? Throughout my life, serving others through volunteering has been a priority that started while growing up as a tobacco farmer in Bertie County and continued through undergraduate and graduate school, building human services and real estate businesses, raising a family, and establishing Orange County as home. Prior to the pandemic, I've never desired to serve in elected office. However, the pandemics'far-reaching impacts have shaken the safety net that our most vulnerable residents have come to rely on. It has also underscored how critical it is for Orange County residents to have reliable and affordable broadband access, affordable housing, childcare, and accessible behavioral health services. In numerous service experiences, I have prided myself on being a hardworking team player and have always sought to impact others through my efforts positively. I believe Orange County residents would benefit from my perspective,experience in rural communities,work ethic, and commitment to delivering results as a Commissioner. 2. What do you consider to be one of the most important characteristics of a county commissioner?What is 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? A commissioner's most important characteristic is being collaborative. I've demonstrated this while serving on the Northern Orange NAACP leadership team and the Orange County Democratic Party. While leading the County Party as Acting Chair, I recruited an entirely new leadership team who were passionate and dedicated to achieving the party's goals. During leadership meetings and phone calls with individual team members, we created a space of mutual respect, where colleagues were encouraged to share all opinions including Applications are due to the Orange County Clerk to the Board by 5 pm on January 6,2023.Completed applications can be emailed to clerk@orangecountync.gov or delivered to 300 W.Tryon St.,2nd Flr., Hillsborough, NC 27278. 12 2 those that were unpopular. Certainly, there are times when executive decisions must be made in urgent situations, but generally, I believe in a collaborative approach to leadership. 3. How would your appointment enhance the diversity of the BOCC? The BOCC would be enhanced by my diverse business background, including serving on the Advisory Board for a leading bank in NC. Having started and managed several human service and real estate businesses that provided the safety net to our vulnerable residents provides me with a better understanding of what our residents are experiencing and the urgency of our work. My diverse experiences include living through the challenges of working and being the parent of school-age children while lacking reliable broadband access. As a result, our family had to sell our Orange County farm-based dream home after only nine years. Furthermore, my experience serving on the Orange County Public Schools' Equity Task Force provided me broad and deep perspective on the specific challenges our students and their families face and reinforced how a structured, ongoing approach to addressing these challenges benefits the learning environment for all students. Finally, as a volunteer Chaplain journeying with patients and families experiencing significant health crises, including death, I always created a safe space for them to reflect and remember,to restore some dignity that may have been stripped away during the disease process or from being hospitalized. 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. 1. Affordable and reliable broadband access 2. Affordable housing including rentals. 3. Expand healthcare resources for individuals needing behavioral healthcare. 4. Access to Childcare. 5. Equitable Education in a safe environment. 5. If you could change one thing about the current county budget, what would that be? Considering the significant labor shortage impacting every sector in this county, the implications for our most vulnerable populations, such as our students and people needing behavioral health services, suggest that we act quickly. For that reason, I would increase funding to those departments for competitive wages and benefits. Applications are due to the Orange County Clerk to the Board by 5 pm on January 6,2023.Completed applications can be emailed to clerk@orangecountync.gov or delivered to 300 W.Tryon St.,2nd Ar., Hillsborough, NC 27278. 13 3 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? Students have the best opportunity to become the best learners in a safe and comfortable learning environment. I would consult with fellow commissioners, school board members, staff, and stakeholders to understand the priorities of the capital needs before the meeting with both school systems to discuss their greatest needs and desires. 7. Do you support the 1909 Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools special district tax? How should it be used? As a strong supporter of public education, every funding source is essential to students' success, so I support leveraging this funding source to meet local school needs. 8. What is your vision for how Orange County should grow economically? Creating an Orange County where everyone can both live AND work would be ideal.As we recruit businesses, the growth must be sustainable and environmentally friendly. A focus on economic growth around healthcare and supporting services would play to the strengths of our community. In addition,the expansion of services that support sustainable farming would enable Orange to continue to be a leader in innovating programs that reach all parts of our county. 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 the lines of race. How can county commissioners ensure that prosperity in the coming years is more equitably shared? Living through the pandemic was a very stressful experience, yet I felt hopeful hearing leaders acknowledge how the pandemic exacerbated existing inequities while pledging to address it. Perhaps a good start could be reaching out to the BIPOC (Black Indigenous People of Color) community for input on ensuring our residents have access to opportunities to build prosperity. The wealth gap exists largely because of the gap in homeownership between our white residents and our BIPOC residents. The supply could not keep up with demand during the pandemic, so prices soared. Understanding the inequities in income, gaps in saving, and the ability to obtain a mortgage has made purchasing a home largely unaffordable. Applications are due to the Orange County Clerk to the Board by 5 pm on January 6,2023.Completed applications can be emailed to clerk@orangecountync.gov or delivered to 300 W.Tryon St.,2nd Flr., Hillsborough, NC 27278. 14 4 1 suggest increasing the down payment assistance program and ensuring some funding is earmarked to address the gaps. Additionally, increase the total amount of business grants to be intentional about marketing to BIPOC businesses, including startups. 10. What steps do you think the Board of Commissioners could take to address the chronic lack of affordable housing (workforce housing) in the county? The first approach to addressing the affordable housing crisis is to partner with developers in the three Economic Development Areas to allow inclusionary zoning for new construction, encouraging the designation of a certain number of affordable housing units for those with moderate income. Second, expand the downpayment assistance program for people seeking to purchase a home. And finally, incentivize landlords to accept housing subsidies beyond the Housing Choice Vouchers for seniors, individuals with intellectual disabilities, and other behavioral health challenges by streamlining the entry process. 11. What should the county government be doing to address the climate crisis? If one doesn't exist, establish a Climate Crisis Plan. I would work to understand better the direct impact of the climate crisis on our entire community and work to implement a plan to mitigate the crisis. 12. How should the BOCC interact with other governments—i.e., town councils, NC General Assembly? From my observation, the BOCC has a good working relationship with our legislative and municipal delegation. Consistent collaboration with other counties may be mutually beneficial as it ensures awareness of what each is attempting to achieve and may reveal interferences in implementing practices or policies beneficial to future Orange County projects. Applications are due to the Orange County Clerk to the Board by 5 pm on January 6,2023.Completed applications can be emailed to clerk@orangecountync.gov or delivered to 300 W.Tryon St.,2nd Fir., Hillsborough, NC 27278. 15 Orange County Board of Commissioners - Vacancy Application Name: Brenda Stephens Address: 5807 Craig Rd Durham, NC 27712 Email: Stephensbl908@gmail.com Phone: 919-309-0919 Registered Voter?yes W1no Party Affiliation: Democrat 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? I have a record of dedicated service to our county, and I believe that service as a Commissioner would be a natural extension of my leadership in public service. During the prior elections, I opted to continue my term as a school board member at the local and state level. Now that I have fulfillled and closed my commitment as a school board member, I am seeking this role as another avenue of service. 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? A county commissioner is more than a fiduciary gatekeeper.As an elected official, I understand and appreciate the shared governance model that we enjoy in our county. My experience in leadership and shared governance is one of growth, efficacy, and pragmatism. In my role as Regional Library Director(Caswell, Orange & Person) I established a positive working relationship with trustees, county commissioners and patrons. I worked with municipal and state officials to meet the needs of libraries, and worked with special groups in advisory capacities. I collaborated with Dr. Neil Pederson,former Superintendent of Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, to place a branch library in McDougle middle school, and I worked with former Mayor Mike Nelson and the Carrboro Board of Alderman to establish the inaugural location of the Cybrary in the Century Center. 3. How would your appointment enhance diversity of the BOCC? I am unapologetically a champion for diversity and equity. I have been blessed in my life to see equal rights, albeit slowly, extended to the underrepresented and underserved demogrphics in America.As a Black woman who served in the military, I have firsthand knowledge of the positive effects of diversity. Also, I have deep roots in Orange County that date back to 1792. My family has been enhancing diversity for centuries in our community. My great, great,great grandfather, Frank Umstead, was a Blacksmith in Hillsboro Township. Applications are due to the Orange County Clerk to the Board by 5 pm on January 6, 2023. Completed applications can be emailed to clerk@orangecountync.gov or delivered to 300 W. Tryon St.,2"d Flr., Hillsborough, NC 27278. 16 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. Economic development and affordable housing are the most pressing concerns for the County at this time. Additionally,the infrastrucure needs associated with growth and expansion demand immediate attention. Having a strategic plan for continued postive growth that is equitable is key for the present and future success of Orange County. Our county is already the jewel of the state, and I want to continue to make Orange County the most desired destination in North Carolina. 5. If you could change one thing about the current county budget,what would that be? I'm a proponent of funding our schools to support success for all students. Our County Commissioners already do an outstanding job in funding schools, and I would look for other funding opportunities for them within the budget. 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? The needs of the two school systems are different, and each should be treated on their individual merits and needs. If there is a good basis for it, bringing a bond referendum is a possible option addressing the capital needs of the school systems. 7. Do you support the 1909 Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools special district tax? How should it be used? The residents in the Chapel Hill/Carrboro School district believe the special district tax is essential to their children's education. Board members fulfill their fuduciary responsibilites by working together as a governance team with the superintendent to make decisions to spend the special district tax. Applications are due to the Orange County Clerk to the Board by 5 pm on January 6, 2023. Completed applications can be emailed to clerk@orangecountync.gov or delivered to 300 W. Tryon St.,2"d Flr., Hillsborough, NC 27278. 17 Orange County Board of Commissioners - Vacancy Application 8. What is your vision for how Orange County should grow economically? Strategic and well-planned growth is essential. Orange County should be open to business but also open to families being able to thrive within the county. 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? The pandemic put on display that inequity exists on many planes. For instance, access to broadband services were and continue to be a factor in academic outcomes for students. Creating a more equitable public service model is the key to addressing these disparities. 10. What steps do you think the Board of Commissioners could take to address the chronic lack of affordable housing in the county? More structuce could be added to development requirements to increase access to affordable housing. But,that's not the only concern with affordable housing. Public transportation is a major issue that is connected to housing.That will have to be addressed as well in order to create more affordable housing. Applications are due to the Orange County Clerk to the Board by 5 pm on January 6, 2023. Completed applications can be emailed to clerk@orangecountync.gov or delivered to 300 W. Tryon St.,2"d Flr., Hillsborough, NC 27278. 18 Orange County Board of Commissioners - Vacancy Application 11. What should the county government be doing to address the climate crisis? There should be a green intiative that includes staff who are knowledgable about positive public policies to affect climate change. 12. How should the BOCC interact with other governments—i.e., town councils, NC General Assembly? With mutual respect and understanding the BOCC should: 1. Have open communication 2. Work collaboratively 3. Establish shared goals Applications are due to the Orange County Clerk to the Board by 5 pm on January 6, 2023. Completed applications can be emailed to clerk@orangecountync.gov or delivered to 300 W. Tryon St.,2"d Flr., Hillsborough, NC 27278. 19 Orange County Board of Commissioners - Vacancy Application Name: Natalie Ziemba Address: 2406 George Anderson Drive, Hillsborough 27278 Email: natalieziemba@yahoo.com Phone: 970-310-4369 Registered Voter?yes W1no Party Affiliation: Democrat 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? As a lifelong social justice advocate, I have been involved in many community-based advocacy efforts and non-profit organizations working to address inequalities.Throughout these experiences, I constantly wrestle with the tension between what can be changed through non-governmental channels and what can be changed through direct governmental action. Both options have limits and opportunities, and I think both are necessary in creating an equitable society. I don't feel the need to replace any of the existing Commissioners by competing for a seat during an election, but do appreciate the opportunity provided by the vacancy as a chance to expand my resources for making change. 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? I think a willingness to change is one of the most important characteristics of leadership, whether that means making a personal change of opinion or behavior, or changing a plan of action that may not be achieving the desired outcome within the time or limits of the original plan. When making a decision, I make a concerted effort to gather information from multiple perspectives, solicit feedback on what aspects of the decision I haven't yet considered, and also allow enough time to reflect on the options and let my thoughts settle. My social work training and volunteer and professional experirence on rape crisis hotlines have helped me refine my approach to leadership in high-stakes personal interactions and collaborative planning and action among stakeholders with disparate goals. I also have some experience in county government as a member of the Orange County Parks and Recreation Council. 3. How would your appointment enhance diversity of the BOCC? As a cis-gender, upper-middle class white woman, I experience a lot of privilege in my daily life. Having served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the South Pacific, I gained invaluable experiences in cultural humility and always try to bring an attitude of seeking to understand across differences. Additionally, my experience and perspective as a 34-year old who graduated from school during the great recession, and being a younger employee, have helped me stay tuned to economic and labor changes in recent years. Applications are due to the Orange County Clerk to the Board by 5 pm on January 6, 2023. Completed applications can be emailed to clerk@orangecountync.gov or delivered to 300 W. Tryon St.,2"d Flr., Hillsborough, NC 27278. 20 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. The Orange County Broadband Initiative is one of the most important activities in the county, in light of the widening digital divide from the Covid pandemic and the ability of internet to offer social connection as well as educational and economic opportunities. I would love to see universal Pre-K in effect in Orange County, and also additional support and resources for parents during the first year after having a baby, such as regular nurse home visits. I also think it is essential to establish alternatives to the criminal legal system.The drug treatment courts are an excellent example of this, and additional alternatives could include restorative justice programs and mental health crisis response teams. 5. If you could change one thing about the current county budget,what would that be? I would like to see an increase in funding for reentry programs following incarceration. Formerly incarcerated folks have a wide variety of needs, including housing, assistance finding and retainign employment, meeting ongoing terms of probation or parole, and general support through a major life transition. More robust reentry programs may help reduce recidivism and ongoing expenses related to housing inmates. 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? Considering the population distribution, I think the county's funding practices of the CHCCS and OHS districts makes sense,though it is important to keep in mind that the rural OHS faces logistical challenges not present to the same degree in CHCCS.The intersection of public schools and public needs could provide some opportunities for cross-funding of projects, such as imrpoving internet service through a combination of Broadband Taskforce and school allotments.The county could also lobby the state government to increase funding for schools to allow the county to reallocate money spent on instructional funds toward capital improvements. More traditional methods like a bond initiative could also be considered. 7. Do you support the 1909 Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools special district tax? How should it be used? While I fundamentally support any initiative that puts more resources toward education, it is hard fully support the 1909 special district tax knowing it was implemented with racist objectives to promote education of white students. Intentional spending of special tax funds can help reduce disparities by supporting educational programs that increase resources for at-risk populations like low-income students, racial minorities, and students who speak English as a second or third language.Also, it may be worthwhile to consider whether a similar special tax may be implemented in the OHS district to reduce disparities among school systems. Applications are due to the Orange County Clerk to the Board by 5 pm on January 6, 2023. Completed applications can be emailed to clerk@orangecountync.gov or delivered to 300 W. Tryon St.,2"d Flr., Hillsborough, NC 27278. 21 Orange County Board of Commissioners - Vacancy Application 8. What is your vision for how Orange County should grow economically? With the presence of the flagship UNC campus in Orange County, much of the county economic activity revolves around academia, healthcare, college sports, student life, and other university endeavors. While this will continue to drive much of the economic growth in the county, I hope it will also contribute to growth in essential sectors related to these areas. I would love to see Orange County become an oasis for nurses and medical techs by increasing training programs, affordable housing, and public transportation that makes the environmentally friendly choice the easy choice for getting to and from UNC. Orange County also has a great opportunity for attracting interest and investment in the growing healthcare tech industry. 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? One way the BOCC can reduce a k-shaped recovery is to specifically allocate Covid recovery funds to programs and organizations working to promote racial equity.This could include funding for things like public health programs, organizations working to reduce educational disparities, and infrastructure improvements in low-income neighborhoods. Additionally, it would be important to consider what other social and environmental factors contribute to long-term community stability and growth, including affordable housing, secure employment, safe communities, reliable public transportation, and reducing toxic stress, among other contextual factors. 10. What steps do you think the Board of Commissioners could take to address the chronic lack of affordable housing in the county? There are several ways the BOCC could work to address affordable housing in the county.The BOCC can reevaluate property valuations that disadvantage minority communities, like the Northside neighborhood in Chapel Hill, and impose higher taxes on investment, rental, and corporate properties.The BOCC can also work to incentivize Section 8 housing among landlords, which could also benefit from infrastructure improvements in low-income neighborhoods to help make properties more desirable.Another option could involve less traditional methods, such as exploring the feasibility of building a tiny house community to see whether reduced property sizes and building costs could contribute to long-term affordability and stability in housing. Applications are due to the Orange County Clerk to the Board by 5 pm on January 6, 2023. Completed applications can be emailed to clerk@orangecountync.gov or delivered to 300 W. Tryon St.,2"d Flr., Hillsborough, NC 27278. 22 Orange County Board of Commissioners - Vacancy Application 11. What should the county government be doing to address the climate crisis? Climate action is one of those areas where I particularly feel the fine balance of limits and opportunities between social justice activism and government action. While individual efforts to reduce plastic and energy consumption are important, I think the BOCC has a great opportunity for normalizing sustainable practices through incentives, regulations, and penalties that protect the environment, reduce reliance on non-renewable energy, and promote sustainable alternatives. In addition to "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" it is also important to repurpose, repair, and recover. BOCC actions can support all of these options. 12. How should the BOCC interact with other governments—i.e., town councils, NC General Assembly? Municipal and state governments overlap significantly in their actions actions and goals, so it is important to maximize resources by reducing duplicate efforts. County and city councils could share quarterly updates about current priorities and future actions, whether presented briefly at a regular meeting or sent over email.The BOCC can also work to amplify the concerns of residents by advocating with the NC General Assembly. Applications are due to the Orange County Clerk to the Board by 5 pm on January 6, 2023. Completed applications can be emailed to clerk@orangecountync.gov or delivered to 300 W. Tryon St.,2"d Flr., Hillsborough, NC 27278. 23 D ORANGEDEMOCRATS January, 2023 Via Email Dear Orange County Board of County Commissioners, As you know,on January 30,2023,the County Executive Committee of the Orange County Democratic Party (the "CEC") met in an open, virtual meeting to consider whom to recommend to the Orange County Board of County Commissioners("BoCC")to fill the vacancy on the BoCC left by the departure of Commissioner Price. Following precedent, CEC members residing in Commission District 2 voted `yes' or `no' as to each applicant on the question of whether such applicant should receive the CEC's recommendation, with any applicant receiving weighted- majority votes in the affirmative receiving a recommendation. Per that vote, Phyllis Portie-Ascott receives the Orange County Democratic Party's recommendation to fill the BoCC vacancy, attaining a weighted vote total of 77.5%. No other applicant attained a weighted-majority vote. Thank you for your consideration. For the avoidance of doubt, please note that our transmission of these recommendations is intended to fulfill the consultation requirement of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 152A-27(c). Sincerely, Jonah Garson, OCDP Chair