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In regards to healthcare, the legislature is working on a COVID relief bill and there will be <br /> another$5 billion coming through different functions. Childcare has been supplemented due to a <br /> 33% vacancy rate in childcare facilities as a result of people not working and staying home with <br /> their children. There is another round of money coming through the Hope program that may help <br /> landlords during the moratorium on evictions so the landlord/homeowner can apply directly by <br /> showing documentation of losses and the funding would go straight to them. Over 98% of the <br /> vaccines delivered in NC have been administered. NC DHHS says every county is supposed to be <br /> notified for the next three weeks how much vaccine they are supposed to get. As of the end of last <br /> week, 3,400 first shots have been administered along with 650 second shots. Walgreens and CVS <br /> have helped administer the vaccine at nursing homes. <br /> Priorities include getting students back to in-person school. Dr. Crumpton stated that the <br /> Board of Education has expressed that they would like for their staff to be at the front of Group 3, <br /> which is defined in the list of guidelines related to vaccination from the State. There are a lot of <br /> concerns regarding nursing and teacher shortages. Sanford Mayor Chet Mann asked about <br /> landlord support related to the eviction relief bill. The concern is that there will be mass evictions <br /> once the eviction relief expires. Senator Burgin stated there will be a bill which is intended to <br /> provide relief that will go straight to the landlord instead of the tenant. Broadway Mayor Andrews <br /> stated concerns regarding unpaid water bills. Some people were successful getting assistance <br /> through the Hope Program. Blue Cross Blue Shield billed but didn't cut anyone off from April <br /> through December and letters are now going out to cut people off. They expect to lose about $20 <br /> million. Commissioner Smith disclosed that his daughter-in-law is the head nurse at the local <br /> hospital's emergency room and is feeling the burnout. Some hospitals are full and have issues <br /> with the number of COVID patients. Mayor Mann expressed a concern about the length of time the <br /> mail is taking to be delivered, which has caused issues with water cut off notices. Mayor Mann <br /> asked about sales tax. Dr. Crumpton stated that Lee County seems to be doing well. In property <br /> tax collections, the County is ahead of where it was last year. Revenues are being driven by the <br /> construction projects going on in the county. Senator Burgin said that one of his goals is doing <br /> away with a gas tax and changing to an annual permit fee. If there is a fee for the mileage driven <br /> this would be a better balance as the newer cars are using less gas. Senator Burgin stated that <br /> opioid overdoses and deaths are up about 38%. There has been an idea presented that every <br /> time an opioid is prescribed the Narcan shot is also prescribed. EMS is running two to three opioid <br /> overdose cases a day. Mayor Mann stated that the City and County have boards dedicated to <br /> addressing the opioid issue. Senator Burgin stated that there is also a mental health crisis in the <br /> state. Commissioner Knecht stated that with growth comes land use issues and he asked if there <br /> are any ideas to address the land use issues caused by growth. Representative Sauls stated that <br /> he talked to Senator Burgin about getting the city and county together to talk about possible <br /> resolutions and to see if legislative action needs to be taken. Senator Burgin mentioned that he is <br /> also looking into seeing if there is a way new businesses could be on the State Health Plan for a <br /> couple of years as they get started. <br /> City Manager Hal Hegwer stated that while the special legislation for the City of Sanford <br /> was put in place related to satellite annexation outside of the 3-mile limit, the City hasn't utilized it. <br /> The reason the legislation was put in place was because people asked for it. Commissioner <br /> Carver stated that the way he understands it is that if a person wants to have water and sewer <br /> connected to a property located outside of the city limits they would have to annex to be eligible. <br /> Commissioner Carver further stated that what he doesn't understand is if this is in the best interest <br /> of the citizens to have a bunch of satellite areas controlled by the city or to step back and look at <br /> issues with fire and security. Mayor Mann stated that to get water and sewer to places that ask for <br /> it without annexing is expensive and they don't want to have to raise taxes on the citizens of the <br /> city to pay for it. City Manager Hal <br />