Minutes - June 18, 2012 Budget Work Session

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BK:00024 PG:0979 LEE COUNTY Q O 13467 C3 n5'2. 0, 0 Committed Today for a Better Tomorrow BUDGET WORK SESSION OF THE LEE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 106 HILLCREST DRIVE SANFORD, NORTH CAROLINA 27330 JUNE 18, 2012 The budget work session of the Lee County Board of Commissioners for the County of Lee, State of North Carolina, convened at 1 p.m. in the Gordon Wicker Conference Room, First Floor, Lee County Government Center, 106 Hillcrest Drive, Sanford, North Carolina, on said date. Commissioners present were Richard B. Hayes, Larry "Doc Oldham, Charles T. Parks, Nathan E. Paschal, Robert T. Reives, Linda A. Shook, and James K. Womack. Chairman Shook called the work session to order and the following business was transacted: Commissioner Paschal delivered the invocation. The pledge of allegiance was recited. Mr. Bob Joyce, Executive Director of the Sanford Area Chamber of Commerce presented a draft plan to the Board for a promotion and marketing proposal from the Chamber. A $25,000 allocation is requested in the FY 2012 -13 budget to address the startup of a promotion and marketing proposal for a ChamberNisitor's Bureau. The Chamber will take the lead on starting the process of developing an organization that will lead the marketing efforts for the community. The Chamber will act as the lead organization with private industry to develop a strategic plan and construct a framework for future expansion of a tourism and promotional entity. Mr. Joyce stated initial funding for this effort would come from private industry sources including Lee County, City of Sanford, Town of Broadway, 2 " Century, and grant funding from private, state and federal sources. After discussion, Commissioner Womack moved to support the concept of a Sanford -Lee County Visitors Bureau, transitioning to a Tourism Development Authority (TDA) long term, contingent upon appropriate participation by all relevant stakeholders, completion of the necessary documentation to construct a charter, and sufficient funding from public and private sources. Upon a vote, the results were as follows: Aye: Hayes, Oldham, Parks, Paschal, Reives, Shook, and Womack Nay: None The Chairman ruled the motion had been adopted unanimously. Lee County Economic Development Director Bob Heuts discussed a North Carolina Department of Commerce Let's Get Certified Program, Mr. Heuts asked the Board to consider a $30,000 allocation for FY 2012 -13 to participate in the NC Department of Commerce Certified Site Program that will certify