HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 02-25-2025; 8-a - Minutes 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: February 20, 2025
Action Agenda
Item No. 8-a
SUBJECT: Minutes
DEPARTMENT: Board of County
Commissioners
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Draft Minutes (under separate cover) Laura Jensen, Clerk to the Board, 919-
245-2130
PURPOSE: To correct and/or approve the draft minutes as submitted by the Clerk to the Board
as listed below.
BACKGROUND: In accordance with 153A-42 of the General Statutes, the Governing Board
has the legal duty to approve all minutes that are entered into the official journal of the Board's
proceedings.
Attachment 1: January 17, 2025 Retreat
Attachment 2: January 21, 2025 Business Meeting
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this item.
ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: There are no Orange County Strategic Plan Goals
applicable to this item.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve minutes as
presented or as amended.
Attachment 1
1
1 DRAFT MINUTES
2 ORANGE COUNTY
3 BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
4 RETREAT
5 January 17, 2025
6 9:00 a.m.
7
8 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met for a retreat on Friday, January 17, 2024 at
9 9:00 a.m. at Whitted Human Services Center in Hillsborough, NC.
10
11 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Jamezetta Bedford, Vice-Chair Jean Hamilton,
12 and Commissioners Marilyn Carter,Amy Fowler, Sally Greene, Earl McKee (arrived at 11:57 a.m.)
13 and Phyllis Portie-Ascott (arrived at 9:11 a.m.)
14 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: None.
15 COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT: John Roberts
16 COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Travis Myren, Interim Deputy County Manager
17 Caitlin Fenhagen, and Clerk to the Board Laura Jensen. (All other staff members will be identified
18 appropriately below)
19
20 Chair Bedford called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. All commissioners were present,
21 except Commissioner Portie-Ascott and Commissioner McKee.
22 Chair Bedford welcomed everyone to the retreat.
23
24 Housing Programs Overview
25
26 Blake Rosser, Housing Director, introduced staff from his department: Danielle Butler,
27 Alycia Brown, and Aaron Rimmler-Cohen. He then made the following presentation:
28
29 Slide #1
ORANGE COUNTY
Q HOUSING DEPARTMENT
Overview Of Services- 2025
30
31
32
2
1 Slide #2
Affordable Housing Low-income residents pay no more than 30%of income on housing casts(renVmortgage+utilities)
AMI—Area Median Income In 2024 in the Durham/Chapel Hill metro area,this is$105,900 for a family of four
Law-income 80%of AMI--$84,700 for a family of four;$59,300 for a single person
Very low income 50%of AMI—$52,950 for a family of four;$37,100 for a single person
Extremely low income 30%of AMI—$31,750 for a family of four;$22,250 for a single person
FMR—Fair Market Rent Calculated annually by HUD,for 2025❑urhamlCH it is$1,637 for a 18R,$1,872 for 28R,and$2,334 for 38R
CoC—Continuum of Care HUD Definition:"A community plan to organize and deliver housing and services to meet the specific needs of
people who are homeless as they move to stable housing and maximum self-sufficiency.It includes action steps to
end homelessness and prevent a return to homelessness."
OCPEH The CoC for Orange County:Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness
HOME Committee Collaborative partnership operated by OCPEH in which area service providers meet twice monthly to discuss
clients and refer for services
Transitional Housing Temporary housing with supportive services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness,with the goal
of interim stability and support to successfully move to and maintain permanent housing.A client in transitional
housing is still considered homeless and not in a form of permanent housing.An example is IFC's shelter,which
can be from 90 days to 1 year.
PSH-Permanent Supportive Combines rental assistance with voluntary supportive services to address the needs of chronically homeless
Housing people. The services are designed to build independent living and tenancy skills,and connect people with
community-based health care,treatment and employment services.
Rapid Rehousing A program offering housing search,move-in and rental assistance along with case management, an a temporary
basis(no longer than 2 years). The goal is to quickly re-house someone who recently became unsheltered and
transition them to more permanent housing.
Housing First A policy that advocates unconditional, permanent housing as quickly as possible to homeless people, and other
supportive services afterward (House first,add supportive services later).Rapid Rehousing is an example of a
Housing First program.
HCV—Housing Choice The modern name for Section 8 rental assistance program serving"very low income'residents
Voucher
OCAHC—Orange County A group of area agencies working on affordable housing from all angles:development,acquisition, rehabilitation,
Affordable Housing Coalition rental assistance,and homelessness
OCHPC—Orange County Agroup operating out of UNC's Community Practice Lab(CPL)which coordinates repair and rehabilitation
Home Preservation Coalition applications from law-income residents and refers them to participating community partners.
AHAB—Affordable Housing Volunteer advisory board which advises the Board of County Commissioners on affordable housing priorities for
2 Advisory Board the county.
3 Commissioner Greene said that there is another definition of affordable housing that
4 includes transportation. She said the average cost of transportation forAmericans is 20% of their
5 income. She said while it is not part of the HUD formula, it is a significant cost of housing. She
6 said the Orange County transit plan recommends that transportation be taken into consideration.
7 Blake Rosser said that it is good to keep that context in mind. He said that is one of the
8 things they talked about in the affordable housing scoring matrix. He said he believes they
9 shortened the distance required to be close to transit in the scoring matrix.
10
11
3
1 Slide #3
Housing Department has 4 divisions comprised
of 16 programs (number of staff in parentheses)
Community - OCHA
Development SOHRAD Street Outreach,
Harm Reduction and
Deflection
Housing Re air& RRH Rapid Rehousing
Helpline Rehab(2.5} EDP(2) HCV(fi) SOAR SSIISSDI Outreach,
(3.5) Access and Recovery
LHA Longtime Homeowner
SOHRAD HOME(1) EHA(1) guard Assistance
(3.5) REDP Eviction Diversion
Program
Housing LHA(D.5) CRP(2) EHA Emergency Housing
Access(1) Assistance
CRP Civil Rights Program
(Fair Housing)
ERRH5) AHAB
OCHA Orange County
ll Housing Authority
SOAR(1J BondICIP
(0.5)
ORANGE COUNTY
T�0
HOUSING DEPARTMENT
2
3
4
4
1 Slide #4
�� _ . a�unns0ltinrll
!- �ll� dla 7r�rnlpn
� / ' \ �dllff(eKdIMIV
Nern�gkleS(exirhr ` _ vaCOnf
(hfuroplff h�sM DGENCWr11�lfK �
Vacant _
LS R. vmmmw A�tratreA nt��
HausnpNelpwq Lpidlebmktg(mmor. Ambuk4W Danf mmsem
Ovtread(oacdmaw Vacant
Yncnnf N(YSpericlist Re6bSpeculml T«tgeren�'1'saAswurft
loleko"Wmv- AliciaSidbury w"AWr DvrdSamvv Stephamebywick
(oerdnutedFntrySpaWrn Akikgffmdu
Utfil(lvraNnn N(YSg 0" HIA{wS la 1"spoddioI IrnporxyDlkrAtsistut
,WWLiKt*(wliq, Akxesaafdr AWrGwr WdW ams PuruuaWrlkerson
(mmnered tarry AAffhi$durwn
Aydc(ma — A(YSp Ait GpiigleGfr�Yr (aAnrlp,
PexSopportNnngNKSOHw WrOhlrmd
(wdnuW Wry S"Wo luanfwrtt
FWsapponNesigntKS01lAQ fsSlw AdNfGfir
Evelyn McBride
lnagl�aErikuMctr
PeKS,patN�npRK50H1AG ldndr✓kfr& R•-.
Anrhpny.Vrpon?gh "
SOAR Cnewnrkrf
ChmAiwlrnwr
nORANGECOUNTY
HOUSING DEPARTMENT
2
3
4
5
1 Slide #5
r
Civil Rights Program(Fair Housing) (0.5) Department
Eviction Diversion 2
Emergency Housing Assistance 1 $450,000
Civil Rights Program 2 Fu ('7�(�
g Housing Choice Voucher 6 $7,000,000 i 1LLi�1111111Ia-'
Client Needs $16,000
HOME Investment Partnership 0.5 $350,00 �` i0 Over ew
HOMF-ARP $400,000
Urgent Repair Program JNCHFAJ $120,000
Essential Single Family Rehabilitation(NCHFA) $160,000
Longtime Homeowner Assistance $250,000
Bond/Clp $1,666,667
Emergency Repair Fund (Fee-funded)
Urgent Repair Program 2 $40,000
Administration 2
Housing Helpline 2.5
Rapid Rehousing 1.5 $250,000
Administration 0.2
Cold Weather Cots $30,000 *OCPEH consists of contributions
Bridge Housing $95,000 from fourOC municipalities broken
Landlord Incentives $20,000 down in the following proportions:
Permanent Supportive Housing $150,000 39.7%-Chapel Hlil
a SSI/SSDI Outreach,Access,and Recovery 1 39.5961-Orange County
• 143%-Carrboro
Rapid Rehousing 1
• E5%-Hillsborough
Street Outreach,Harm Reduction and Deflection 4
Housing Helpline 0.5
Rapid Rehousing 05 **Administrative personnel includes
Housing Access Coordinator 1 rector(partial},Business Officer,
Bridge Housing $148,000 Grants Coordinator,and 2
Administration 1,625 Administrative Assistant equivalents
Administrative Personnel`* <5
2
3 Commissioner Portie-Ascott arrived at 9:11 a.m.
4
5 Chair Bedford asked for more information on the HOME Investment Partnership.
6 Blake Rosser said it is more commonly called the HOME Program, and it is a federal
7 program. He said the county is in a HOME consortium with Chapel Hill and Carrboro. He said
8 that the county decides what to do with the funds. He said that Chapel Hill gets around $400,000
9 for CDBG, and the county gets around $400,000 and the county then decides how it will spend it
10 each year. He said that you see it with the consolidated plan, the Annual Action Plan, the CAPER,
11 and he said you see it every 5 years for consolidated plan.
12 Commissioner Carter asked for more information about how landlord incentives work.
13 Blake Rosser said it is a program funded through the Partnership to End Homelessness
14 and is intended to recruit landlords. He said best practices for landlord incentives is a signing
15 bonus. He said that is the most common incentive. He said there is also a referral bonus. He
16 said there is a risk mitigation incentive, which is to compensate landlords for tenant damage to
17 properties.
18 Commissioner Greene asked Blake Rosser to review where those funds come from.
19 Blake Rosser said that administrative fees from the HCV program are used for the risk
20 mitigation incentive. He said they also request funds in the budget for incentives.
21 Commissioner Carter asked for more information about SSI outreach.
22 Blake Rosser said that is the SOAR program. He said is for unhoused individuals and
23 helps them get registered for benefits.
6
1 Commissioner Carter asked for clarification of where the cold weather program was
2 administered.
3 Blake Rosser said it is under the Partnership, but it is a shared responsibility in the
4 department. He said that in the current fiscal year, they have already surpassed the number of
5 cold weather nights the county had last year. He said that they are experiencing burnout among
6 overnight staff and an unprecedented volume of people needing shelter on cold weather nights.
7 Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked for information on the employees under eviction
8 diversion. She said one was an attorney.
9 Blake Rosser said is the Eviction Diversion Expediter. He said the role functions as a
10 paralegal for the attorney.
11 Vice-Chair Hamilton asked for another column on the chart in slide #5 of the number of
12 customers served by each division.
13
14 Slide #6
Legal
nORANGECOUNTY
0 HOUSING DEPARTMENT
15
16
17 Slide #7
Application-Legal Services
Emergency Housing Assistance.
.. -. service to assist with housing costs.Apply
evictionperson.Only assists those earning 30%AM I and below,and
facing -
Changing Events"that
op
Ryan Evans ORANGE COUNTY
Legal Semites Manager HOUSING DEPARTMENT
ryevans@vrangecountync.gvv
18
1 Blake Rosser said that during the pandemic, the county spent $15 million on Emergency
2 Housing Assistance due to ARPA funding. He said that as those funds decreased, they went to
3 $2 million, and in the current fiscal year the county appropriated $400,000 for the program. He
4 said that those funds combined with the remaining ARPA funds allowed for about $500,000 for
5 the current year. He said they changed the parameters of the program to allow assistance to
6 folks with life changing circumstances, including sickness, loss of job, and a death in the family.
7 He said they also changed the requirement for AMI to 30% or below. He said they have seen
8 some benefits with those changes.
9
10 Slide #8
aboutLegal Services
Eviction Diversion Program. Legal advice
landlordhousing issues-Representation in court if a
respect has
already filed an eviction case In small claims court
Civil Rights Program. Investigation into any civil rights
violations with . federal and local
Public Accommodation . Civil Rights ordinances
Ryan Evans n4RANGE COUNTY
Legal Services Manager HOUSING DEPARTMENT
ryevans@arangecountync.gov
11
12 Blake Rosser said the Civil Rights Program used to be the fair housing program in the
13 Office of Equity and Inclusion. He said it was moved into the Housing Department so that it was
14 under the supervision of an attorney. He said that the program was underperforming for several
15 years, and that the county voluntarily chose to withdraw from the program with HUD temporarily.
16 He said they have a plan to streamline the program's practices and policies to show HUD that
17 they are capable of reassuming administration of the program by the end of the year. He said
18 they have a goal to reapply for certification by the end of the year. He said they are still taking
19 applications, and they are explaining the circumstances that the department is in, and giving them
20 the option of applying directly to HUD.
21 Vice-Chair Hamilton asked for more information on the partnership with HUD.
22 Blake Rosser said it brings reimbursement for handling the cases, such as paying for the
23 staff investigating the cases and training. He said HUD also offered expertise to the department.
24 Blake Rosser said he is still speaking with HUD to determine what supports will be available. He
25 said he is optimistic that HUD will still be a resource. He said it was beneficial to the program to
26 be an official HUD authority.
27 Vice-Chair Hamilton asked about the experience for residents with the changes.
28 Blake Rosser said theoretically there should be no impact because they can still provide
29 intake and investigations as before. He said practically speaking, people can get more efficient
30 review of their cases with HUD rather than with the county.
31 Vice-Chair Hamilton asked what the process is for putting an application in with HUD.
32 Blake Rosser said that the HUD office for our region is based in Atlanta, but they have
33 local offices. He said that forms can be completed online or by phone. He said that his experience
34 with this HUD office is that they are responsive to applicants.
8
1 Commissioner Carter asked what measures would be used to gauge the progress and
2 when will the Board hear more about that.
3 Blake Rosser said he is still looking into that with HUD. He said the most basic metric is
4 how many cases the program has processed and closed. He said the measure from HUD is that
5 the program needed to close eight cases a year, which is a reasonable amount. He said one
6 investigator can have a case load of fifteen cases. He said that he would like to close four cases
7 between July and December.
8 Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked what a typical day looks like for the employees in the
9 civil rights program.
10 Blake Rosser said the two employees are the intake specialist and the civil rights
11 coordinator. He said that the civil rights coordinator was not only coordinating, but doing all the
12 investigations. He said that the intake specialist was fielding complaints from residents, assessing
13 standing, and administrative work such as handling purchases and finances. He said that both
14 were developing advertising and training materials and engaging in community outreach.
15 Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked if the four closed cases that Blake Rosser hopes to
16 show HUD as evidence for recertification are all that the office would hear.
17 Blake Rosser said there would be additional cases, but the four that they would need to
18 close for HUD would be fair housing related. He said two of the cases they are currently working
19 on are public accommodations cases.
20 Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked how quickly public accommodations cases are closed.
21 Blake Rosser said he would get that information for the Board. He said that 3-6 months
22 would be a reasonable timeframe.
23 Vice-Chair Hamilton asked for Blake Rosser to walk the Board through a typical fair
24 housing case.
25 Blake Rosser described an example of how a case might start and walked through the
26 process until closure.
27 Commissioner Greene asked for more information on public accommodations cases.
28 Blake Rosser said one case they are currently investigating is a person who believes they
29 were discriminated against based on their religious beliefs. He said another case is a person who
30 was trespassed from a business and believes it was for personal characteristics.
31
32 Slide #9
Strategic Plan Objectives advanced:
Housing For All, Objective 2: Address need and
any policy barriers to increase access to
emergency shelter beds and other low-barrier
housing including eviction diversion.
Healthy Community, Objective 7: Invest in
services and programs that improve the health
and quality of life of the community (Civil
Rights Program)
nORANGE COUNTY
0 HOUSING DEPARTMENT
33
34 Slide #10
9
Category j
Avg.Assistance Amount $4,179
Avg.Monthly Expense $50,149
Avg.Time to Process 31 days
Households assisted with Life-Changing 35
Event(LCE)
Households assisted with Court Summons 37
Number of LCE Households assisted prior 12
to eviction
Ryan Evans ORANGE COUNTY
Legal Services Manager Q HOUSING DEPARTMENT
ryevans@orangecountync.gov
1
2 Commissioner Portie-Ascott said it appears people are waiting to reach out for assistance
3 rather than in the first month.
4 Blake Rosser said it is a mix. He said that he can look into that data further.
5 Commissioner Fowler asked if there are ways to communicate with the public better about
6 the program.
7 Blake Rosser said he would work with the Community Relations Department on a
8 communication plan.
9 Commissioner Carter asked if there was any overlap in the three household categories.
10 Blake Rosser said there can be some overlap between life-changing event and court
11 summons households. He said he is not sure if the numbers in the chart reflect an overlap.
12 Commissioner Carter asked about the funding for legal services.
13 Blake Rosser said it is locally funded, except for reimbursements for the civil rights
14 program.
15 Commissioner Carter asked if the county knows how many households can be supported
16 by the Housing Department budget.
17 Blake Rosser said they don't look at it in a big picture sense as she described. He said
18 the total EDP clients served in the last 9 months is 468, with two FTEs performing the work. He
19 said that would be $180,000, then you add the expenses for EHA and operations, and it's in the
20 ballpark of 150 people for$700,000.
10
1 Slide#11
Legal Services — Performance
Measures
Clients from 411124—12/31124 Number Percent of Total
Total EDP Clienfs Served afi8
Repeat Court Summons' + Na EHA 48 '10.3°I°�1a.��.3
Repeat Summons +Received EHA 21 4.5°/°[e.s�°�
Total Repeat Court Summons (With 69 14.7°/°(17.5°I)
and withouf EHA}
Ryan Evans ORANGE COUNTY
Legal Services Manager Q HOUSING DEPARTMENT
ryevans@orangecountync.gov
2
3 Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked if there are guidelines on how many times a person
4 can receive Emergency Housing Assistance.
5 Blake Rosser said they can only receive it once.
6
7 Slide #12
LegalPerformance
receivedMeasures
Oct-Dec
* 10 Denials
• Do -
.AMI for.- . ... (13
Outside• O
• Property refused: 15
• Court case already .-.
* 3 Landlords have accepted partial payments (2 complexes, 1 private).Three have
declined, and most have said they will review but will not accept for now.
Ryan Evans ORANGE COUNTY
Legal Services Manager � HOUSING DEPARTMENT
ryevans@ora n gecaumync.g ov
8
9 Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked how many cases were covered by the landlords that
10 accepted partial payments.
11
1 Blake Rosser said three.
2
3 Slide #13
Orange County Housing
Authority (OCHA)
r
ORANGF COUNTY
0 HOUSING DEPARTMENT
4
5
6 Slide#14
OCHA
Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). Orange County
Housing (OCHA)operates the federal Section 8
householdsprogram, serving 0•, and
a administers almost 700 vouchers and currently
has over 650 under lease. Program
householdand lasts for as long as the income-eligible
programcompliant with
closedThe HCV Waitlist'is currently to the general public, but
we have tentative plans o open it once more in 2025.
Alycia Brown nQRRIGE COUNTYHCv Program Manager HOUSING DEPARTMENT
a Ik�row n@o rangecou ntyn c.gov
7
8 Commissioner Greene said that the practice of Chapel Hill administering public housing
9 and the county administering vouchers is not typical for other counties.
10 Blake Rosser said it is a unique situation to have two authorities in the same area. He
11 said it makes some sense because the public housing is located in the Town of Chapel Hill. He
12 said there was a law in the 1990s that prevents more public housing from coming online.
13 Commissioner Greene said that Town of Chapel Hill has had to fill in the gap for public
14 housing needs.
12
1 Chair Bedford said the county also helped fund renovations for Trinity Court.
2 Blake Rosser said the federal government has moved away from public housing and is
3 focusing on public/private partnerships. He said the only way to get more public housing is to
4 privatize it.
5 Regarding other places where the housing authority is its own entity, Commissioner
6 Fowler asked if they are only funded by the federal government.
7 Blake Rosser said it is only federal, but it is supposed to be self-sustaining. He said this
S gets to Commissioner Greene's point that they are only receiving a certain amount of money
9 because they are also collecting rent.
10
11 Slide #15
OCHA
OCHIA Board. The Orange County Housing Authority
(OCHA) Board oversees the running of all OCHA
programs, chiefly the Housing ■ Voucher
program, funded by
Board monitors all HCV processes and approves
major policy changes and updates. In 2009 the
Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) appointed a
group of citizens to the OCHA Board. Prior to this
time the BOCC had served in the role of Housing
Authority Board.
Alycia BrownORANGE COUNTY
HCv Program Manager HOUSING DEPARTMENT
a Ihrawn@vrangevvu ntync.gvv
12
13
14 Slide #16
Strategic Plan Objectives advanced:
• Objective L Allocate predictable funding
sources to contribute or support adding to
affordable housing stock
Objective 6: Partner with public agencies to
increase opportunities for public employees to
buy and rent homes where they work.
Objective 9: Increase representation of people
with lived experience on housing related
matters ORANGE COUNTY
�! HOUSING DEPARTMENT
15
16
oCHA — Performance Measures
Vvucher5 Under lease: 550�fi87
subsidy Lltilizativn rate: 10fl%
2024 HU❑ Evaluation: "High Performer"
Inspection turnaround: 48 hours
13
Slide#17
[ertification Submission Rate: 98%+
Two program participants on gv►►erning board
Alycia Brown ORANGECOUNTY
HCV Program Manager HOUSING DEPARTMENT
albrown@orangecountync.gov
4 Aaron Rimmler-Cohen continued the presentation:
•-
�otrirnunity Development
ORANGECOUNTY
14
Slide#19
Community Development
HOME Federal Grant. Approximately $4QQ,000 in
federal funds disbursed annually #❑ our program,
Aaron
which we then award to applicants for a variety of
activities including:
• New development of affordable housing
+ Repair/Acquisition of existing housing
• Homebuyer assistance
- Tenant-Based Rental Assistance
Affordable Housing Bond. Si m ila r t❑ the a hove
process but with local funds.,.less strings attached.
Rimmier-ColienCommunity !' + COUNTY
.. HOUSINGDEPARTMENT
. . ..
3 Aaron Rimmler-Cohen said that the HOME program is one of the most flexible programs
4 under Community Development. He said that over the last 7 months, the division has tried to
5 focus on specific activities to make the best use of the county's funding.
• Slide #20
Community Development
Aaron Rimmier-Cohen
Community Development Manager
Urgent Repair and Single Family Rehabilitation. In
collaboration with the Housing Preservation
Coalition, uses state and local funds to preserve
existing affordable housing, allowing residents to
age in place.
Longtime Homeowners Assistance. Another
preservation strategy: reimbursing longtime
homeowners far their increasingly burdensome
property taxes
ORANGECOUNTY
acohen@orangecountyne.gov
9 Aaron Rimmler-Cohen said that the department is shortening the response time for urgent
10 repair • that urgentproblems •• not lead to issues requiring a single-family •
15
1 rehabilitation. He said they are working to get urgent repair response down to 3-6 weeks. He
2 said that his completion goal for single family rehabilitation is 6-12 months. He said that these
3 programs are for homeowners, and can only be used for essential repairs.
4 Commissioner Greene said Habitat for Humanity has a program for painting homes. She
5 asked if the division collaborates with Habitat for Humanity.
6 Aaron Rimmler-Cohen said they coordinate with Orange County Home Preservation
7 Coalition, which is run out of the UNC Community Practice Lab. He said that due to capacity
8 limitations with outside agencies those types of projects are not being serviced as often. He said
9 there is a backlog of essential repair projects.
10 Vice-Chair Hamilton asked about the income eligibility guidelines.
11 Aaron Rimmler-Cohen said that it is mostly under 80% of the AMI, and the AMI for a family
12 of four in Orange County is $105,000. He said they also look at the age of the home, if there is a
13 child under 6 in the home who might be at risk of lead exposure, or if there is an individual in the
14 home with a disability.
15 Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked if the division refers people to the energy funds for all
16 programs.
17 Aaron Rimmler-Cohen asked for clarification.
18 Commissioner Portie-Ascott said she had heard of a program with available funds under
19 the Inflation Reduction Act, which would help replace things like HVAC.
20 Aaron Rimmler-Cohen said if the county was coordinating with that program, it would be
21 under the Orange County Home Preservation Coalition, but he was unaware if the coalition had
22 partnered with the program. He said he would look into it.
23 Chair Bedford asked if the county was still working on a backlog of homes that need
24 repairs.
25 Aaron Rimmler-Cohen said he anticipated bringing a plan to the Board with information
26 about rental assistance and home renovation and repair services after more conversations with
27 HUD. He said they will be able to provide assistance to individuals through the Partnership to End
28 Homelessness Home-ARP program as well. He said that assistance is available to people at risk
29 of experiencing homelessness or those fleeing domestic violence.
30 Commissioner Carter asked if those funds are already available.
31 Aaron Rimmler-Cohen said that they received a $1.3 million allocation in 2023 that the
32 county hasn't drawn down. He said he has submitted information to begin drawing those funds
33 down. He said he could provide a report on their services to the Board later in the year so they
34 could begin receiving funds in 2025. He said all those funds must be spent by 2030.
35 Commissioner Fowler asked if people with disabilities qualify for that kind of assistance.
36 Aaron Rimmler-Cohen said if the person only has a disability and wasn't also at risk of
37 experiencing homelessness, they will not qualify for the Home-ARP. He said that similar
38 communities have prioritized helping individuals experiencing homelessness and are living
39 unsheltered. He said as the county builds out the program, they are looking at how to give
40 preference to the highest need individuals.
41 Commissioner Greene asked if there were people not served by Longtime Homeowners
42 Assistance when funding ran out.
43 Aaron Rimmler-Cohen said that funds are spread out based on the number of people who
44 apply.
45 Commissioner Greene said that the minimum number of years to be eligible for Longtime
46 Homeowners Assistance is 5 years. She wondered if there are people who lived here much
47 longer who are not getting the assistance they need.
48 Aaron Rimmler-Cohen said he would not see a problem with increasing the minimum
49 number of years for ownership. He said the majority of people in the program have lived in Orange
50 County longer than 5 years.
16
1 Chair Bedford said that the Board should expect to see tweaks every year as the county
2 refines the program. She said as they raise taxes for the school bond, they can expect to need
3 to put more money into the Longtime Homeowners Assistance program.
4 Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked if the heirs of a property can access the program.
5 Aaron Rimmler-Cohen said no, because they would not have owned the property for 5
6 years.
7 Chair Bedford said there is a distinction between heirs who want to live in the property, vs
8 those who want to be a landlord.
9 Commissioner Portie-Ascott said some heirs might want to move back and live in the
10 property, but repairs must be made first. She said they will need to keep the taxes up while they
11 make repairs.
12 Aaron Rimmler-Cohen said she brings up an important point. He said they run into that in
13 the county, but the NCH FA does not include regulations that are flexible enough. He said if that is
14 of interest to the Board, it would require local funding to support programs for heirs' properties.
15 Chair Bedford said that might be an important addition to the county's legislative priorities.
16 Commissioner Portie-Ascott said most of the properties the county forecloses on are heirs'
17 properties.
18 Chair Bedford said heirs' properties need protections from investors.
19 Commissioner Greene said that heirs' properties are another category from what she
20 would like to do with the minimum years of ownership.
21 Vice-Chair Hamilton asked for the County Manager to determine how much it would cost
22 to fund the same number of eligible owners in the Longtime Homeowners Assistance program at
23 the anticipated increased tax rate.
24
25 Slide #21
Community • /
Minimum Housing Code. • Community
Rehabilitation Officer fieldsand investigates
concerns ■ about
compliance with local ■ ••-
Affordable Housing Advisory Board. A citizen
advisory board that recommends policy to the
Board of County Commissioners about how best
/ address affordablehousing
Aaron Rimmler-CohenORANGE COUNTY
Community Development Manager HOUSING DEPARTMENT
acohen@orangecountync.gov
26
27
28
29
17
1 Slide #22
Strategic Plan Objectives advanced:
Objective 1:Allocate predictable funding sources to contribute
or support adding to affordable housing stock.
Objective 4: Prioritize and select County-owned land and/or
facilities as part of an overall plan of facilities to create crisis,
bridge, low barrier, affordable, and permanent housing
Objective 7: Expand resources and invest in housing designed
for our aging and disabled residents.
= Objective 8: Preserve existing housing stock from disrepair and
avoid displacement.
ORANGE COUNTY
O HOUSING DEPARTMENT
2
3 Aaron Rimmler-Cohen said that 8 lots have been set aside for affordable housing, but his
4 understanding is that there are problems with 6 of those 8 lots. He said the division would like to
5 be part of the future process for selecting lots that are earmarked for affordable housing.
6 Commissioner Carter asked what the problems are with the 6 lots.
7 Aaron Rimmler-Cohen said it is usually a combination of zoning issues, and sometimes
8 there are gradient or water issues or site-specific issues.
9 Commissioner Carter what lots are facing zoning issues.
10 Aaron Rimmler-Cohen said he would provide that information to the Board.
11 Chair Bedford said that the Board also received that information in a previous Board
12 meeting.
13
14 Slide#23
Community Development
Performance
• Number of homes repaired (G3, 08)
• HOME funds • ' • 1
.45
• • • • e
Court .93
Trinity (Community
- • • 590
Aaron Rimmler-Cohen
Community Deel pment Manager nORANGE COUNTY
acohen@orangecountync.gov 0 HOUSING DEPARTMENT
15
16 Aaron Rimmler-Cohen said that ESFR stood for Essential Family-home Rehabilitation.
18
1 The Board took a 5-minute break at 10:38 a.m.
2
3 Blake Rosser continued the presentation:
4
5 Slide #24
Orange County Partnership to
End Homelessness (OCPEH)
nORANGECOUNTY
O HOUSING DEPARTMENT
6
7
8 Slide #25
Intervention: Overview
Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness
9or
. .
Direct
Service
9
Danielle Butler ORANGE COUNTY
OGPEH Manager Q HOUSING DEPARTMENT
da butler@ora n gecvuntync.gvv
9
10
11 Blake Rosser said the Partnership to End Homelessness provides a continuum of care for
12 addressing the causes of homelessness and the needs of unhoused individuals and families. He
13 said, fundamentally, it coordinates resources in the community.
19
1 Slide #26
2024-25 OCPEH BUDGET CH OC CARR. HILLS.
39.70% 39.50% 14.30% 6.50%
Staff/Description Total PORTION PORTION PORTION PORTION
OCPEN Expansion Budget
2.625 FTE:1 Homeless Programs Manager,
CoCPersonnel.625 Homeless Programs Coordinator&1
Housing Access Coordinator $241,173 $ 95,746 $ 95,263 $ 34,488 $ 15,676
CoC Operations $ 82,460 $ 32,737 $ 3ZS72 $ 11,792 $ 5,360
50HRAD Personnel4.0 FTE:1 Clinical Coordinator(GRD),3 Peer
Street Navigator(OCPEH) $295,516 $ 113,350 $ 112,779 $ 40,829 $ 18,559
50HRADOperations $ 37,050 $ 14,709 $ 14,635 $ 5,298 $ Z408
RRHPersonnel0.5 FTE $ 33,500 $ 13,300 $ 13,233 $ 4,791 $ 2,178
RRH Operations $ 3,415 $ 1,356 $ 1,349 $ 488 $ 222
2/3 of annual operational costs(OCPEH is
Bridge Housing operations requesting funding for four of the six beds
available.The two remaining beds will be
funded with support from UNC Health) $ 147,887 $ 58,711 $ 58,415 $ 21,148 $ 9,613
Coordinated EntryPersonnel0.5 FTE $ 34,195 $ 13,575 $ 13,507$ 4,890 $ 2,223
Coordinated Entry Operations $ 3,415 $ 1,356 $ 1,349 $ 488 $ 222
FY23-24 Fund Balance$70,000 was approved to carry over from
FY22-23 to apply in FY24-25 $(70,000) $ 27,790) $ 27,650 $ 10 010 $ 4,550
TOTAL EXPANSION BUDGET $798,611 $ 317,048 $ 315,451 $ 114,201 $ 51,910
2024-25 OCPEH BUDGET $1,893,545.00
Joint Funding("Expansion Budget") $798,611.00
County Funding{"Lora!Investments"} $309,294.00 � �RA N G E CO U N TY
Federal Grants{"OCPEMGrants"} $785,640.00 � HOUSING DEPARTMENT
2
3 Commissioner Carter asked if the county talked to Mebane about contributing to the
4 program.
5 Chair Bedford said that Mebane has not been interested in participating, but they hope to
6 have a joint meeting with Mebane soon.
7
8
9
20
1 Slide #27
Local Investments Outside OCPEH
Landlordlncen rive Program FY23-24 General Fund Doll ars $ 50,000
PSHFundingFY23-24 General Fund Doll a rs-Perm anent Supportive Housing toIFC $ 150,000
Cold Weather e me rgencyFY 23-24 General Fund Dollars-Part-time as needed for staffing in
overnight shelter accord ancewith the Community's Inclement Weather Response Plan. $ 14,500
Bridge Housing FY23-24Socia1 Justice General Find DoIlars $ 94,794
TOTAL LOCAL INVESTMENTS $ 309,294
OCPEH Grants
DV Rapid Re-housing grant transfer(January 0.9 FTE Rapid Re-housing Case Manager
CoC Grant .December2D24) (DV);Rental and utility assistance $ 157,208
CoC Grant Supportive Service Only:Coordinated Entry 2.5 FTE:2.5 Coordinated Entry(Housing
(October2023-September 2024) Helpline)Specialists $ 191,764
CoC Grant Rapid Re-housing(November 2023-October FTE:2 Rapid Re-housing Case Managers 2024) 161,920
HOME Grant Rapid Re-housing(FY 23-24 Year to Date Rental and utility assistance
spending) $ 121,989
ESG Annual Rapid Re-housing(Jaruary2024-December 0.5 FTE:0.5 Rapid Re-housing Case
2W4i Manager $ 43,660
State Fiscal Rapid Re-housing(CPS)(January 2024-June 0.1 FTE Rapid Re-housing Case Manager;
Recovery Funds 2025)- Rental and utility assistance $ 85,200
CoC Planning (July 2023-June 2024) .2 FTE Homeless Programs Coordinator;
Grant (July 2024-June 2025-anticipated) Stipends for people with lived experience $ 23,899
TOTAL GRANTS $ 785,640
2024-25 OCPEH BUDGET $1,893,545.00
Joint Funding("Expansion Budget") $798,611.00 � ORANGE COUNTY
County Funding("Local Investments") $309,294.00
Federal Grants("OCPEH Grants") $785,640.00 Q HOUSING DEPARTMENT
2
3 Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked for more information on the burnout experienced by
4 cold weather shelter staff. She asked how many people are on staff and how many are needed
5 to operate the shelter.
6 Blake Rosser said that they hire additional temporary staff for the cold weather shelter.
7 He said they have already exhausted the current funding for the shelter. He said that the burnout
8 is due to the continuous stretch of cold weather days. He said there is a pool of 8-9 people who
9 staff the cold weather shelter, and they have hired 2 more. He said they need 3 people each night
10 for the shelter, and the pool of employees do not want to work overnight as often as is needed
11 due to the weather. Blake Rosser said there are other organizations which are providing coverage
12 for the shelter due to exhausted staff resources.
13 Travis Myren said there will be a budget amendment on the January 21 business meeting
14 agenda to appropriate more funds for the cold weather shelter.
15 Chair Bedford said the Continuum of Care also received funding that they
16 dispersed to IFC and other non-profits. She said the leadership team makes decisions each year
17 on how those funds are spent.
18 Commissioner Carter asked how cold weather shelter guests are connected to resources
19 while staying in the shelter.
20 Blake Rosser said that is a good opportunity to connect folks with services. He said the
21 Street Outreach Team is present at the shelter and conducts coordinated interviews during intake.
22 He said this week DSS is providing resources to connect people to food stamps and getting
23 people registered for Social Security.
21
1 Slide#28
_ Housing Access Working with landlords to make
�A Coordinator units available for people at very
low incomes
•
• �� Short-term rental assistance
.IF■'I Rapid Re housing and services
�0 Homelessness Supportive service to prevent
Prevention/ homelessness and bring
Housing Stabilization housing stabilization
Street Outreach,Harm Connections to housing and
Reduction&Deflection services for peapleliving
r� PartnershipwithOCcriminal unsheltered
lusfice Resource Department
Danielle Butler nORANGE COUNTY
OCPEH Manager Q HOUSING DEPARTMENT
dabutler@orangecountync.gov
2
3 Commissioner Greene asked if anyone representing the SOAR program is still at UNC
4 Hospital.
5 Blake Rosser said he didn't know.
6 Commissioner Greene said a person was trained to do the work for SOAR and was located
7 at UNC Hospital.
8 Blake Rosser said that his department has people who are trained to do SOAR work. He
9 said SOAR used to be administered by DSS.
10 Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked what services SOHRAD connects chronically
11 homeless individuals to.
12 Danielle Butler said the purpose is to connect them with permanent, supportive housing.
13 She said that service is being provided by IFC. She said that in a recent funding CoC cycle, the
14 Partnership to End Homelessness applied for funds to expand housing for those individuals.
15 Chair Bedford said there weren't any openings for years, and the county appropriated
16 $150,000 to help, but that amount could only serve approximately 8 new people. She said that
17 not everyone needs the same level of services, so there is an effort to reassess what current
18 needs are, and how does the county adapt to those needs.
19 Danielle Butler said nationwide there is a desire to help people currently receiving
20 assistance move out of the program to make room for new participants.
21 Chair Bedford said it is important for the Board to remember that transportation to shelters
22 can be a barrier and people in the northern part of the county should be considered.
23 Vice-Chair Hamilton said it is important to find out what the needs are of people in
24 permanent supportive housing. She said it is also important to know what needs new people are
25 facing to see if there are common reasons or circumstances.
26 Danielle Butler said the leadership team is reviewing this type of information and they are
27 also making sure that service providers are working together.
28
29
30
�CPEH
Hvu5ing Helpllne. Front davr to ali housing services.
Information and referral, application assistance.
Coordinated Entry interviews {harneless system intake.
ln-Person Assistance available-
• Manday(IFC Community Kitchen,10am-1pm}
• Tuesday�Thursday(Southern Human Services Building,8:30am-4pm�
Service Providers with any special ar urgent requests should directly rantar[
22
Slide#29
Nvusing Nelpline Coordinator currently varantl
Danielle Butler ORANGECOUNTY
OCPEHManager ■ HOUSINGDEPARTMENT
. . ..
3 Blake Rosser said one of the ways the department would like to reach more people in
4 Northern Orange County is to have an employee hold an in-person office day in Hillsborough each
5 week.
6 Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked if staff are working in-person or remotely.
Blake Rosser said there are no completely remote • • • some
8 completely in-person and some are hybrid.
1 Slide #30
�CPEH
SnHRAD. The Street outreach, Harm Reduction and
Deflec#ion program �50HRAD� connects people experiencing
homelessness in orange County with housing and services.
Peer support and clinical staff use a relationship-based
model to provide ongoing engagement and case
management for people living unsheltered.
S�HRAD is co-managed by the grange County Criminal
Justice Resource Department and OCPEH,
Danielle Butler
1' + CO
OCPEH • 1 1 ' + 'TMENT
..
23
1 Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked if the SOHRAD team is finding out why people might
2 refuse shelter when approached.
3 Blake Rosser said yes, to varying degrees.
4 Danielle Butler said that the team continues to try to engage with individuals.
5 Commissioner Greene said it sounds like Danielle Butler believes that the team needs to
6 keep trying to engage because perhaps they aren't asking the right questions.
7 Danielle Butler said she knows of one individual who had to be worked with for seven
8 years before they would agree to try a housing program, because this person did not want to have
9 anything that could be taken away. She said the initial point of entry is the housing helpline, but
10 also completing a coordinated entry. She said the SOHRAD team is also trained on completing
11 the coordinated entry. She said they will also be training Rapid Rehousing staff on coordinated
12 entry.
13 Commissioner Portie-Ascott said that she recalled that those who remain unsheltered are
14 black men.
15 Blake Rosser said approximately 60-70% of people remaining unsheltered are black men.
16 Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked what the demographic information is for the people on
17 the SOHRAD team.
18 Danielle Butler said they have the following: 2 African American males, 1 Caucasian male,
19 and 1 Hispanic female.
20
21 Slide #31
OCPEH
SOAR. • - ! • .
national program that assists eligible adults
experiencingexperiencing or at risk of homelessness to apply for
SSI/SSDI disability benefits. The program was begun to
help address the low benefit approval rates for people
■ of approval
for applications done through ! ■ rCarolina
over ■ applications completed
outside of ! ► `
Danielle Butler GRANGE COUNTY
acPEH Manager Q HOUSING DEPARTMENT
dabutier@orangecountync.gov
22
23
24
25
OCPEH
Cold Weather Cats. Fxtra shelter beds provided an
"White Flag" nights when temperature drops below 32�
Fahrenheit] during the fall and winter.
The shelter runs from 7pm to lam ❑n cold nights, and
24
Slide#32
serves as overflow for IFC's cold weather beds which are in
operation from Novem B. a April.
New location for Winter 2024-25 is at University Baptist
Church, �Oa 5-Columbia 5t., Chapel Hifl
Danielle BullerORANGE
a ■ HOUSING DEPARTMENT
COUNTY
..
nights.3 Blake Rosser said that individuals who can pass a background check may be eligible for
4 a bed at IFC. He said the main barrier is the individual is a sex offender.
5 Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked where those who are sex offenders can go on cold
6 weather
7 Blake Rosser said the county • • weather shelter.
8 Chair Bedford said that there used to be more barriers at IFC, but they have been reduced
9 in recent years.
1 Commissioner Greene said she thoughtbarriers had been • -•
11 Chair Bedford said they had not.
12
E�CPEH
Landlord Recruitment. A limiting factor is the amount
of landlords with affordable units who are willing to lease
to participants in county programs (such as Rapid
Rehousing or Section S). We have a dedicated full-time
staff charged with recruiting and retaining landlords, as
well as the following reward programs:
• Landlord Incentive Program: $1,���signing bonus for new
landlords,and bonus to current landlords who
refer associates
Risk Mitigation Program: Up to BOB in compensation for
tenant-caused damages beyond security deposit amount
Christopher
ORANGE
Housing Access Coordinator
chjacksongorangecountync.gov
25
Commissioner Portie-Ascott said it is not a program that is offered in many other counties.
2 Blake Rosser said that Orange County is one of only a handful of counties nationally that
offerit. He said it was easier to offer it when ARPA was funding the program, but worthwhile
I
5 Commissioner Carter asked how many landlords are in the program.
• Blake Rossersaid he would have to check, but • • about 30 a year.
7 Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked why landlords might be hesitant to participate.
Blake • . • when he's spoken with landlords, • tape
• around Section i and the stigma • '• with people in Sectioni housing.
1
11 •-
DCPEH
DCPEH Leadership Team.The governing body of ❑CPEH,
include Gaps Analysis &
which develops and implements policy to prevent and end
homelessness in Orange County.
The vision of DCPEH is that homelessness in Orange
County becomes rare, brief, and one-time. DCPEH was
established by representatives of relevant organizations
within ❑range County to carry out the responsibiiitiesset
forth in the HUD CoC Program interim rule �24 CFR Part
578).
10-year plan w/materials (last
i 1
1
W ■ HOUSINGDEPARTMENT
Slide12
13
14
DCPEH
HOME Committee. Coordinates care and prioritizes housing
resources for households living unsheltered in Orange County.
Ranking on the HDME Committee list is determined using(in
❑rderJ:the Vulnerability Index-Service Prioritization Decision
Assistance Too! �VI-SPDAT),whether someone is fleeing domestic
violence, length of time homeless,and whether sheltered or
unsheltered.The task force obtains consent forms for each client.
Service providers countywide are involved,from non-profits, D55
he county departments, UNC Hospitals,veterans
❑rganizatians, law enforcement, private attflrneys, and more.
Danielle Butler 0GPEH ' 1
■ HOUSINGDEPARTMENT
15
..
16
deSli #36
26
Intervention: • • . - . Entry
•Access
Housing Helpline,
-Assessment SOHRAD, SOAR
(VI-SPDAT)
•Prioritization �I
•Referral HOME Committee
nORANGE COUNTY
0 HOUSING DEPARTMENT
1
2 Commissioner Fowler asked if everyone must go through the HOME committee.
3 Blake Rosser said if they aren't currently experiencing homelessness, then they can be
4 referred to other services.
5
6 Slide #37
There Are Different Outcomes Based On Hotlisehold Need
At risk o W I IF, Experiencing homelessness
Unstable Housing homelessness
(2+weeks ofsecured (Less than 2 weeks of homelessness
housing) stable housing OR less
than 2 weeks experien(ing
homelessness)
Financial Emergencm Permanent
Assistance Homelessness Response Housing
Eviction and Diversion Referrals
homelessness
prevention Flexible funding
via Emergency Housing available
Assistance(EHA) Structured
Legal conversation
help with 20%find other HOME
evictions places to stay In-County committee
Shelter
Out County by name list
L4011111111- shelter Housing tholce
Fair housing/ A E► 17 Fleeing vouchers
Discrimination Domestic permanent
Violence/ Supportive
Sexual As Housing
Stable Cold Weather Rapid He-housing
Other p veteraosprograrns
Resources Housing Cots during
winter months Supportive
services
7
8 Slide #38
27
Strategic Plan Objectives advanced:
• Housing For All (Goal 3)
Objective 2:Address need and any policy barriers to increase access to
emergency shelter beds and other low-barrier housing including eviction
diversion
• Objective 3:Invest in permanent supportive housing.
Objective 9:Increase representation of people with lived experience on
housing related matters.
- Healthy Community(Goal 2)
Objective 1:Improve harm reduction, prevention,and support services
for adults and children experiencing behavioral health issues,substance
use disorder,and intellectual or developmental disability.
Objective 3:Provide social safety net programming and the resources
needed for our most vulnerable community members(e.g.,veterans,
unhoused people,foster children, older adults,etc.).
• Objective 4:Reduce impacts and barriers for justice-involved children
and adults through deflection, diversion,therapeutic interventions, and
re-entry support,including housing, ORANGE COUNTY
O HOUSING DEPARTMENT
1
2
3 Slide #39
OCPEH — Performance Measures
Number of Households a ■
Returning to homelessness in I year:7%(1 pt. decrease)
Number of people unhoused. 148(17%increase)
Nationally: 18%
Chronically Homeless: 26(8%decrease)
Entering She Ite r/Homelessness. 340
First time homeless: 274
(Both Highest Ever)
Median days homeless:288(13%decrease)
Median time in shelter: 56(20%decrease)
E ORANGE COUNTY
Danielle butler OCP
O Manager HOUSING DEPARTMENT
dabuttehutler@orangecvuntyne.gvv
4
5 Commissioner Greene said the number of chronically homeless seems consistent from
6 figures 15 years ago.
7 Commissioner Carter asked what new programs the department might implement.
8 Blake Rosser said that they are developing new ways to get more work done with less
9 money. He said there is compelling data about UBI [universal basic income] programs. He said
10 that in the pilot programs, they disbursed funds for a year, and they found that by disbursing it to
11 those experiencing homelessness, they reduced homelessness significantly. He said that even
12 when the UBI stopped, the results stayed.
13
14 Slide #40
28
INTRAdepartmental
Collaboration
nORANGECOUNTY
HOUSING DEPARTMENT
2
3 Slide #41
HCV serves OCPEH relerreCS HCV cllents receive EOP
from}TOME Committee and EHA a551stenCe
MC / A
Housing EDP refer Repair& EDP HCV
Helpline HHand Rehab
ellents to
each J�
other J ❑O
EHA
SOHRA❑ HOME aoesrCV""CV
k far HCV
homeowners
Housing
Access _
HAC rem Is landlords
and units far HCV clients
RRH
RRH uses HOME funds
for Tenaol-Based Rental
Assistance(TERN ORANGE COUNTY
HOUSING DEPARTMENT
4
5
6
7
29
1 Slide #42
INTERdepartmentr
l.
Collaboration
n
ORANGE COUNTY
HOUSING DEPARTMENT
2
3
4 Slide #43
h7AP
OCHPC
LUP
HGyIFp MAP Master Agmg
Housing HelpIl Plan
HOME CAM 1I
01ilily Ass lB j FYI Foster Youth to
C1NC Independence
SOHRAOHOUSING
CWC Cold Weather
Emergency Cots
serviCes Ern.Hggll/! LIJP Land Use Plan
Minimum C',
RepaidReha6
LHA
$pHRAp
54AR
ORANGE COUNTY
HOUSING DEPARTMENT
5
6
7
8
9
30
1 Slide#44
Orange County Housing Department
00 W. Tryon Street
Hillsborough
and
2501 Homestead Road
Chapel Hill
. •0
Blake Rosser ORANGE COUNTY
Director,vC Housing Q HOUSING DEPARTMENT
brosser@orangecou ntyn c.gov
2
3 Vice-Chair Hamilton asked for future presentations to include the work performed by
4 outside agencies.
5
6 FY2025-26 Budget Outlook
7
8 Travis Myren, County Manager, made the following presentation:
9
10 Slide #1
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
FY2025-26 Budget Outlook and
Lang-Range Financial Planning
January 17, 2025
Board of Commissioner Retreat
11
12
13
31
1 Slide #2
Budget Tools and Terminology
— Cost to Continue
• Cost Associated with Continuation of Current Staffing
— Ten (10)Year Capital Investment Plan (CIP)
• Creates a Ten(10)Year Plan for Capital Expenditures
• Approves Appropriations for Year 1
-- Debt Service Model
• Projects Debt Service Requirements and Affordability Measures based on CIP
— Long Range Financial Plan
• Ten(10)Year Operating Budget Projection Model based on Previous Expenditure Trends
• Integrates Debt Service and Operations and Maintenance Costs from CIP
ORANGE COUNTY
NC)RTI-i C:AROI.INA
2
3
4 Slide #3
Strategic Plan Alignment
Mission Statement
Orange County is a visionary leader in providing governmental services valued by our community,
beyond those required by law, in an equitable, sustainable, innovative, and efficient way.
Vision Statement
We are a diverse, inclusive, and healthy county working together to strengthen our community and
enhance the quality of life for all residents.
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
5
6
7
8
32
1 Slide #4
Strategic Plan Priorities
Environmental Promote sustainability,and resiliency across the County and
Protection)and Climate collaborate with our partners to activate our community,protect
Action and preserve our natural resources,
and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Healthy Community Increase equitable access to care and social safety net
programming to promote the physical.social.and mental well-
being of our community_
Housing for All Promote equitable and accessible housing and address housing
disparities through policies,partnerships.and collaboration to
create a thriving community.
Multi-modal RED Collaborate with our regional partners to expand.integrate/
Transportation connect.and provide accessible public transportation options.
Public Education/ Enhance and maintain quality school operations and infrastructure
Learning Community and cultivate lifelong learning.
Diverse and Vibrant Foster an environment that attracts and retains sustainable and
Economy diverse businesses and visitors,employment opportunities,
and diversifies our tax base.
ORANGE COUNTY
d NORTH CAROLINA
Z
3
4 Slide #5
Countywide Financial Performance
Audited General Fund Revenues and Expenditures
S30D.0 f i27'f.5 7$.2
i$$1.$ f2Fi9.2
.z a —
5250.0 S $233.3
$20au ,
■Revenues
Expenditures
5 t 50.0
$100.0
sso.a
$0.0
FY 2019-20 FY 2020-21 FY 2021-22 FY 2022-23 FY 2023-24 FY 2024-25 Proj
5 ON A COUNTY
TH CA OUNA
5
6
7
8
33
1 Slide #6
FY 2025-25 Expenditure Budget
Total County Expenditures by Category
Cep1121 Pay-Go
4.7%
Tren0—To
7.3Ye
CIP e d Expi,Ng G—M ■Personnel Services
0.29.
■Operations
is Recurring Capital
■Education
aTransfer to Debt Service
a Capital Pay-GO
■Transfers To
PAMWV V eaPB01 CIP and Expiring Grants
g
�1
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
Z
3
4 Slide #7
FY 2025-25 Expenditure Budget
County Expenditures Excluding Education
LWLM
Personnel Services
NORTH CAROLINA
5
6
7 Commissioner McKee arrived at 11:57 a.m.
34
1 Slide #8
FY 2025-26 Expenditure Budget
Cost to Continue Personnel Assumptions
Wage Adjustment-$800,000 for each I%
Merit Performance Awards-$440,000
Increase of Employer Health Insurance Contribution-6.5%-$700,000
Increase of Employer Retirement Contribution Rate-6%Per LGERS rate stabilization program-$500,000
Maintain Living Wage
Right size Overtime-$600,000
Increase to Retiree Health-5%at$160,000
Annualize Library Personnel Costs-$100,000
Increase Employer Dental Insurance Contribution-4%at$20,000
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
2
3
4 Slide #9
FY 2025-25 Expenditure Budget
Potential New Operating Costs
Support for Existing Operating Costs
- Increased Software as a Service Cost-$500,000(Financial System Cloud Upgrade+ New Programs)
- Bonds and Insurance-$200.000
Continuation of Enhanced Programming
- Expanded Funding for County Child Care-$750,000
- Expiration of Grant Programs-CARE Team and CJRD Mental Hea€tl}$300.000
- Annualized Aging Programming(take out meals and Phome services) -5180,000
- Transfer to Debt Service Fund-pending the size of Spring borrowing
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
5
6
7 The Board took a break at noon for a group photo and lunch.
8
35
1 Slide #10
FY 2025-26 Expenditure Budget
Educational Spending Assumptions
• No growth in projected number of students
- November 1511,Average❑ally Membership was 132 students below budgeted enrollment
Current Expense-modeling a 3% increase-$3.2 million
- Per pupil expense would grow by$170 per student if enrollment remained at FY2024-25 levels
Debt service-expected to decrease by$181,000 if all planned projects move forward
Pay-Go for Schools -$10 million (3.15 cents equivalent on tax rate)
• Health and Safety Contracts—modeling a 3% increase-$120.140
ORANGE COUNTY
NC')R•r•i-a CARCMINA
2
3 Travis Myren said health and safety contracts fund school nurses and SROs.
4 Commissioner Fowler asked if the 3.15 cents take the revaluation into account.
5 Travis Myren said yes, it will be on the new estimated tax base.
6
7 Slide #11
Student Enrollment Over Time
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
Average daily Membership
F3,OD0
12.266 12,353 12,203 12,239 12.474 11,355 12 1 12,449
12,129 12,D17
11A34 17,73&-
11,343 11,465 1F,393
[982} 11219 11,332
1fADD I rT3} {TT4}
187}
*000
9A00
8A00
7ADD
mo7-0a 2ro4w :vvsiv w10-1t 2vi1I: :01113 101�14 m1�1s Mus :wcn :011aa m1e•1v w1�20 :OM11 Iw642 1v::43 =wW. swiss 1c+5-la an.
ORANGE COUNTY
11 NC7R-r,i r C'ARCM TNA
8
9 Travis Myren noted that the 2025-26 estimate is a decrease of 87 students in CHCCS.
10
36
1 Slide #12
Student Enrollment Over Time
Orange County Schools
Average Daily Membership
7.648
7501 7.S26 7.551 7.504
7,SW 7,020 7.345—7.366-7
1.192 7.272 7,182
7,122
6.956 7T 7,OQ7 (7t7] 9,990 6,943
7A00 5601
[1321 (46)
6.500
6.PD0
S,SDO
SAW
2W?-W 200i09 2NO-30 2MA11 20102 2K2-13 MIN 20141S M2516 20 W M17-1I M1i19 20i910 WM3 2021-22 2022-21 3021-24 2W435 2025-X�
�1
ORANGE COUNTY
12 NORTH CAROLINA
2
3 Travis Myren noted that the 2025-26 estimate is a decrease of 45 students in OCS.
4
5 Slide #13
FY2025-26 Education Projections
mmm
Current Expense $108,090,282 $111,332,990 $3,2425,708 Lora[W4519 for opereury evenws
Capital Pay-Go $3,060,000 $13,121,200 $10,061,200 Recurring Capilal+flew PayC�o
Debt Service $19,182,204 $19,000,277 ($181,927) Principal and irnerest paymerns on school
debt
Health &Safety One School Nurse per racilify
Contracts $4,004,666 $4,124,806 $120,140 One Safely Officer for Middle and High
schoota
TOTAL $134,337,152 $147,579,274 $13,242,122
ORANGE COUNTY
13 NORTH CAROLINA
6
7 Travis Myren reminded the Board that the amount dedicated as pay-go each year is
8 flexible.
9
10
37
1 Slide #14
Per Pupil Allocation
Per Pupil AJlocation -Modeled
Total Current Expense Budget $111,332,990
Total Countywide Budgeted Students 19,077
Per Pupil Amount $5,836
Each budgeted student funded at the same per pupil amount
DistrictDistrict Budgeted Countywide
Students Per Pupil I Allocation
F9HCCS 11,141 $5,836 $65,018,653
7,936 $5,836 $46,314,337
ORANGE COUNTY
14 NORTH CAROLINA
2
3
4 Slide #15
Per Pupil Allocation Over Time
County Per Pupil Funding Amount History
$7.aao
$d,000 $S,G66 $9a36
$5,346
69,000 SO.H08
S4,000 53,Si1 $3
$a.e6a $3,941 $4i65 54,35J $4,367 $6,367
$2�57 $3.M, 63,200 $3,096 M20Z $3,187
5®,000 •—
$�.a0a —
$3A� - - -
S yn aa y
S�' Y' 10 ,+1 t'L -NS n4 15 :l� tit 1t 'A9 it ti 01 1� 14 4'V
c�� 1 ¢ - �� �titi k4�titi ya1°M1� -
Change in Per Pupil Allocation
�,� ss3a.as
ssao.00
$400.00
1:00.00 17Oso s17a 174-00
100.00 %,J1.00 WI-� 365.00 sIn.00 $33b.60 .o0 17am
s300.00
s =
$[t00.a01 41 t s "01} �y
riil
5
6
7
8
38
1 Slide #16
County Revenue Sources
Total County Revenues by Category
■Property Tax
-4
galas Tax ■Sales Tax
■Intergovernmental
■Charges for Service
P-p—ty Tax
■Other Revenue
cnargas rarsaYl�a.g°h ■Transfers In
d
_Other R—t-0
+NIL F •v% ■Approp of Fund Balance
Tran5f0r&In
v.2%
Approp of ru nd Balanco
2.4%
ORANGE COUNTY
16 NORTH CAROLINA
Z
3
4 Slide #17
Property Tax Mechanics
Property Tax Base X Tax Rate = Property Tax Collections
Real and Personal Property $21.713,241,752
Motor Vehicles $1,602,886,809
Total Tax Base FY2024-25 $23,316,128,561
FY2024-25
Total Tax Base FY2024-25 $23,316,128.561
Adopted Tax Rate 0.8629
Total Potential Property Tax $201,194.873
Rdjuslmenrs wade for 99.k%collection of real andpefmmat and 99.6%
cortacrion for motor vehicles=$199,640,640
ORANGE COUNTY
17 NORTH CAROLINA
5
6
7
39
1 Slide #18
Impact of the Revaluation
PROPERTY TAX BASE
• New tax base for FY2025 -26 based on revaluation and natural growth
• Goal is to value all property in the County to reflect market conditions/market value at the time of
the revaluation
- Completed every 4 years in Orange County
Preliminary estimated new tax base of approximately$32 billion
- Represents an increase of$8.6 billion or 37%over FY202dV5
ORANGE COUNTY
18 NORTI-I C-,AROILINA
2
3
4 Slide #19
Countywide Revenue Changes
• Budget Assumptions —Tax Base History
Percent Change In Assessed Value
Real,Personal,and Metor Vehicle
w
.ux
so
sa
so
M7"
so
18.FQ76
50
]I.66N
so
fo
1.88% 0'94% 2,p2X, 2.46%
50 .5476
FY2006 FY2007 FY200S FY2009 M010 FY2012 FY2012 FY2013 FY2017 FY201s FY2016 mom FV2019 FY2019 2'9620 FY2021 FY2022 FY2023 IY2027 FY202s FY2026
EK-
�nangefrom Wier Tear
�1
19 ORAIN E COUNTY
5
6 Travis Myren said this sort of projected growth from a revaluation has never been seen
7 before.
8
40
1 Slide #20
FY 2025-26 Revenue Assumptions
PROPERTY TAX RATE
County is required to publish but not adopt a"Revenue Neutral Rate"
- The tax rate that would be required to raise the same amount of revenue as the prev lous year,plus an allowance for
average natural growth rate.
- Current tax rate -0.8629 cents per$100 of value
Revenue neutral rate will drop to approximately 0.64 cents
- Property Tax Base X Tax Rate=Property Tax CoNecibns
2.36%Natural Growth=$4.7 Million
��
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROI INA
2
3 Commissioner Carter asked how natural growth is calculated.
4 Travis Myren said natural growth is based on the previous three years of actual growth in
5 the tax base.
6 Commissioner Carter asked if the natural growth calculation would take the revaluation
7 into account at some point.
8 Kirk Vaughn said revaluation years are not used to establish natural growth rate, so the 3
9 years prior to the revaluation would be used in future calculations.
10 Vice-Chair Hamilton said it is possible that revenue neutral rate could be different
11 depending on the results of the revaluation.
12 Travis Myren said staff is confident in the projection, but the tax base is established in
13 January each year and that is what will be used in the budget.
14
15
41
1 Slide #21
Impact of the Revaluation on Individual Property owners
Interaction between increased value and tax rate decrease
Value Pre-Revaluation V $ 400,000 0.8629$ 3,452 Post Revaluation Value $ 450,000 0.04 $ 2,880 $[572]
Pre-alu
Value Revaluation $ 400,000 0.8629$ 3,452 Post Revaluation Value $ 600,000 0.64 $ 3,840 $ 388
V
slu
��
ORANGE COUNTY
21 NORTH C:AKOLINA
2
3 Commissioner McKee said this is a catch 22 on a lot of "lower cost" housing that exist
4 around urban areas. He said West Hillsborough is a prime example. He said these folks are
5 usually lower income or on fixed income and have a large jump in their tax value. He said this
6 happened after the last revaluation in Northside and other areas around the County.
7 Chair Bedford shared that a listsery email was sent out yesterday from Community
8 Relations with the timeline for tax notices and the appeals period.
9 Travis Myren said home values alone are estimated to increase around 50-60%.
10
11 Slide #22
FY 2025-26 Revenue Assumptions
PROPERTY TAX REVENUE PROJECTION
Allowance for average natural growth above revenue neutral collections-2.36%or$4.7 Million
No Change in Collections 992%for Property,99.6%for Vehicles
Total property tax revenue estimated to be$204 Million for FY2025-26 budget model
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH C.AROLINA
12
42
1 Slide #23
FY 2025-26 Revenue Assumptions
SALES TAX TRENDS
Sales Tax now growing significantly slower than pre-Covid trends.
Annual Growth Rate of OG Sales Tax
MCC%
16.00%
14.00%
12.00%
10.00%
8.00%
6.00%
a.QD%
2.00%
0.6a%
FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016 FY M 7 FY 2018 FY 2010 FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025-YTO
—P*,ZaPka Salsa Tar —PaiH of SDI&Sakn Tax ——Par-Cap MPwCpr4d TIWId Pas PM-6pWd 7r0rd
2
3 Travis Myren said it is a little bit perplexing that the first three months collected so far have
4 been below pre-Covid rates.
5 Travis Myren said the per capita calculation is determined by population, so the state
6 collects all the sales tax and it's distributed to the counties based on population. He said the Point
7 of Sale/Delivery is based on sales and deliveries that occur in Orange County. He explained that
8 the county has adopted Articles of Sales Tax and that goes to the county directly and then there
9 are the state sales tax components that are distributed.
10 Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked what the articles of county sales tax are.
11 Travis Myren said Article 44 is hold harmless and Article 46 is for economic development.
12 Travis Myren noted that these projections don't take into account the loss of per capita sales tax
13 that will inevitably decrease because of the lack of tourism etc. in the Western part of the state
14 after Hurricane Helene.
15
16
43
1 Slide #24
FY 2025-26 Revenue Assumptions
SALES TAX REVENUE PROJECTION
- Based an a 2%increase from FY 24-25 Budget
Projecting$917.000 increase from FY2024-25 Budget
- Watch for decreases in Article 44 Hold Harmless Funding
County Medicaid costs could be rising faster than Article 44 sales tax
W;T-1—
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
2
3
4 Slide #25
FY 2025-26 Revenue Assumptions
Sales Tax History
550,000,000 16A°4 20°%
$44,139.012 545,006,U t2
545,000,000 543.396,780 S42,G43,720
540.000,000 74.7 237,096,370 161%
535.000.000 5 .101.943
S00.OWOW $27.644-579 S2a,120,263 10%
623,006,800
$24,d09,0d4 525.9 i0.020
f20,000,000 5%
615.000.000
S10.060= 03%
ss.6vo.006
s .sx
FY201&17 FY2017-r8 FY20$&19 FY2019-20 FY2020-21 FY2021-22 FY2022-20 FY2023-24 FY2024-25 Budgel FY2025-26 P1q.
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
5
6
7
44
1 Slide #26
FY 2025-26 Budget Guidelines to Departments
• Additional expenditure requests will require reallocation of existing funds or new revenues
• New General Fund positions should come with new revenue or reallocation of existing funds
• Analyze current service levels; review historical spending patterns utilizing Budget versus
Actual reports
• Initiatives will be reviewed with ❑EI framework and alignment to Strategic Planning Objectives
• Continue to develop interdepartmental and intergovernmental collaboration initiatives
ORANGE COUNTY
NnRTH C:ARO1,INA
2
3
4 Slide #27
Long Range Financial Planning
New debt service associated with the capital budget and general obligation school bond
Personnel and Education costs consistently growing at a faster pace than revenues
• New Operating Costs related to upcoming Capital Investments in next 3 years
- $3 million Operating Subsidy for Crisis Diversion Facility
- $800,000 Upgraded Public Safety Software for ES&Sheriff
- $500,000 Staffing new Emergency Services Substation in Chapel Hill
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
5
6
7
45
1 Slide #28
Ten Year Capital Investment Plan
Projected Capital Expenditures
(in millions$)
s1m.o
$1'2V 5110.0 $I lox,
sloa.o
sa9.o
570.4
swo
W.o $na
1.3
522.8 22.9 $23. 523.E s29.9 $24. 524.s $24.9
$20.9 5T8.2 S19 ji S13
STS.i1R.
514.3 f12. $73.�14• A
S. fl �■ 1 �� al 1 � i
$
l = 1 �■ 51
$5.7
FY25-26 FY26-27 FY27-28 FY28-29 FY2MO FY30-31 FY31-32 FY32-33 FY33-34
r Base County CIP ■Major County Projects ■Base School C I P ■School Bond
2
3 Commissioner Portie-Ascott said she thought 2025-26 is when the work for the Justice
4 Complex would begin.
5 Travis Myren said staff is currently working with the Clerk of Court and Sheriff's Office on
6 what that will look like. He said he would be surprised if the work begins then because the concept
7 is not done yet.
8 Commissioner Greene said she thought there were three $5 million amounts set aside for
9 housing every three years. She asked when those will come forward.
10 Travis Myren said one was done last year, so the next will be in 2027-28 and then 2030-
11 31.
12 Commissioner Greene asked why the major county project is so high in 2027-28 and not
13 so high 3 years later.
14 Travis Myren said 2027-28 includes the viper radio system and Emergency Services
15 headquarters.
16 Commissioner Portie-Ascott said going back to the Justice Complex, what are the plans
17 to mitigate the damage happening at the Link Building.
18 Travis Myren said he is not aware of any damage happening inside the Link Building but
19 will double check.
20 Commissioner McKee said he would like for there to be an ongoing effort to keep the
21 outside of the building presentable.
22 Travis Myren said the building will be on a schedule for pressure washing going forward.
23
24
46
1 Slide #29
Projected Future Debt Impact
Debt Model anticipates significant increases over the next 5 years
Size and timing of tax increases are highly variable, based on timing of current projects and
upcoming school projects
Year Debt to AV DS to GF Revenues Tax Rate Equivalent
2026 1.31°% 11.80% 0.11�
2027 1.57% 14.18% 3.25d
2028 1.68% 14.73% 0.68�
2029 1.93% 16.60% 2.29�
2030 1.73% 17.87% 1.52�
2031 1.65% 19.01% 1.44�
2032 1.83% 18.27% -
2033 1.70% 18,75% -
2034 1.46% 19.06% -
2035 1.33% 18.19% -
Total Impact _YE COUNTY
y
Y NORTH CAROLINA
2
3
4 Slide #30
Long Range Financial Model
GENERAL FUND SUMMARY FORECAST
Actual Original Projected Projected Projected
2023-24 2024-25 2025.26 2026-27 2027-28
(S In Thousands)
Property Tax 193,179 201,999 206,746 211,040 215,425
ales Tax 42,644 44,139 45,057 46,605 48,213
ntergovernmental 20,541 22,018 22,639 23,279 23,938
harges for Service 13,912 15,104 14,851 15,103 15,361
Cher Revenue 6,242 3,044 2,999 3,007 3,015
ransfers In 11508 1,006 653 116 120
p i op of Fund Balance 7 100 7,313 7,532 7,758
Total Revenues 278,024 294,410 300,259 306,682 313,830
ersonnel Services 94,558 102,975 108,326 112,185 116,279
perations 35,658 35,858 37,316 38,768 39,716
ecurring Capital 566 194 198 202 206
ducation 104,038 113,115 116,507 119,999 123,597
ont ribs.to Oth or Ag on cies 2,171 2,511 2,535 2,561 2,587
ransfers To(Including Debt) 39,236 39,757 51,332 63,494 67,629
&M Impact from CIP 0 652 5,104 5,378
Total Expenditures 276,228 294,410 317,366 342,314 3552394
Pet Annual Rev(Exp) 1,796 (0) (17,107) (35,632) (41,564)
ap to Close 0 17,107 35,632 41,564
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
5
6 Travis Myren said through the upcoming budget cycle, staff will work on getting the
7 highlighted gap to zero.
8
9
10
47
1 Federal Funding Overview
2
3 Slide #31
Federal Funding
County receives over$20 million in ongoing federal support
Over$235 million in federal benefits are also provided directly to residents and childcare
centers that benefit the local economy
Department
Aging $533,005
Child Support Services $1.480.632
DEAPR $28,651
Emergency Services $3.283
Health $1,014.017
Housing $8,027,923
Social Services $g,334.625
Transportation $212.736
TOTAL $20,G3d,872 ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH C:AROf 1NA
4
5
6 Slide #32
Federal Funding - Aging
Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Mobility Grant provides rides for comm unity members and includes a volunteer driver $102 OOd
Disabil@ies program.Grant supports staff position as well.
Home and Community Care block Grant-Access Grant provdes in-home services,and other support services to remain independent-
in to Home Support Services Grant also supports county positions.
Special Programs for the Aging-Ttle III Part C- Congregate meals provided by caterer five days a week.Grant also supports county $742,7Sfi
Nutrition positions.
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
7
8
9
48
1 Slide #33
Federal Funding — Child Support
Expenditures
Child Support Enforcement Funds represent a reimbursement of administrative costs. $1,480.632
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
2
3
4 Slide #34
Federal Funding - Housing
Description
Provides funding for street outreach,emergency shelter,
Emergency Solutions Grant Program homelessness prevention,rapid re-housing assistance,and data s6B,fff18
collection.
Provides formula grants to fund the building,buying,and rehabilitation
HOME Investment Partnership Program of affordable housing for renVownership.Funds can also be used for $429.496
rental assistance to low-income people.
Funds are used to provide permanent housing,transitional housing,
Continuum of Care Program supportive seances,data collection,and homelessness prevention. $359.745
Grard also supports county positions that provide these seances.
Rent subsidies to low-income families.Most of this funding goes
Housing Choice Vouchers directly to residents.Funds also supports county positions that provide $7,148,994
these services.
14ftwlii—�—
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
5
6
7
49
1 Slide #35
Federal Funding — Social Services
Food and Nutmio,Services(or Food Stamps)for low-income residents to
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program(SNAP) purchase food.Funds represent just She administrative cost to the county to $2,21U17
manage this program,
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act(WIOA) WiOAgrant provides workforce training,education and support.Grant also $7�989
supports county positions that provide these services.
Medicaid provides low-income individuals and families access to health
Medical Assistance-Adminislration insurance.Grant Funds represent just the administrative cost to the county to $3,097.462
manage this program.
Grant provides in-home services.case management.family planning counseling
Social Service Block Grant and guardianship.Grant also supports county positions that provide these $395.866
services.
Child Care Development Fund-Administration This grant provides county funding to manage the Child Care Subsidy Program. $275 021
This lust represents the administrative costs to the county.
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
Z
3
4 Slide #36
Federal Funding — Social Services
Fads ral Gran tor/P rogram T It le Program Description
The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families(fANF)program is designed to help families
TANF-Work First Admin and Services with children experiencing low-income achieve economic securty and stability.Provides $1.005.157
employment services.child welfare and child-care.Grant also supports county positions.
iV-E CPS CPS 1V-E provides services to address and idenlify child maltreatment issues in serious risk $07.386
of foster care placement.Grant also supports county positions.
Provides funding for allowable pre-placement adminrstrative activities for eligible children
N-E Faster Care delerm ined to be M imminent risk of removal who,absent effective provision of preventive 1,161,636
services,would be placed in foster care.Grant also supports county positions.
�1
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
5
6
7
50
1 Slide #37
Federal Funding — Social Services
LlHEAP provides federally funded assistance to reduce the costs
associated with home energy bills,energy crises,weathedxalion,and
Low income Home Energy Administration $104_391
minor energy-related home repairs.This gram represents administrative
costs of managing the program.
The Integrated Care for Kids[InCK]Model is a local
service delivery and state payment model that aims to reduce
Integrated Cure for Kida Model expenditures and improve the quality of Care for Children under 21 years $108,179
of age covered by Medicaid through prevanlion,early identlfiraW,and
treatment of behavioral and physical health deeds.
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
Z
3
4 Slide #38
Federal Funding — Transportation
Formula Grants for Rural Areas and Tribal Transit The Formula Grants for Rural Areas program provides capital,
Program(5311 Admin) planning,and operating assistance to stales to support public $198.f135
transportation in rural areas.
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
5
6
7
51
1 Slide #39
Federal Funding — Social Services
County residents and childcare centers also receive federal funds/benefits directly
7Medir-aidBenefits $205,454,830
Nutrition Service Benefits $21,986,484
Crisis InterventionProgram— $230,278
Assistance with Heating and Cooling casts
Low Income Energy Assistance Benefits $520,792
Child Care Subsidy $6,821,392
ORANGE COUNTY
NnRTH CAR01,1NA
2
3
4 Slide #40
FY 2025-25 Budget Calendar of Events
Department Director Guidelines Presentation January 9
Operating Budget Kickoff meetings January 9-10
FY2025-26 Budget Submission Deadline February 21
Meeting w/Outside Agencies and Related Mid to Late-March
Department Directors
County Manager Meeting w/Department Directors Mid-March to
Early April
County Manager Meeting w/Fire Districts Early April
BOCC Joint Meeting w/Boa rds of Education April 29
Presentation of FY2025-26 Recommended Budget May 6
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
5
6
7
52
1 Slide #41
FY 2025-26 Calendar of Events
Budget and Capital Investment Plan (CIP) Public May 13 & May 29
Hearings
Schools and Outside Agencies Work Session May 15
Fire District, Public Safety, and Human Services May 22
Work Session
Support Services, General Government, May 27
Community Services, and Durham Tech Work
Session
Budget Amendments and Resolution of Intent to June 5
Adopt
FY2025-26 Operating and CIP Budget Adoption June 17
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
2
3
4 Local and Regional Agriculture
5
6 Jonathon Smith, County Extension Director, made the following presentation:
7
8 Slide #1
Orange County Agricultural
Economy Update
January 17, 2025
Orange County Board of Commissioners r
Retreat
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
9
10 Jonathon Smith explained the relationship between Cooperative Extension and Orange
11 County. He also described the work of the County Extension Office. He commended the Board
12 and Orange County residents for maintaining agricultural as a core part of the culture here. He
13 said his conversation today will be framed by the dynamics of producers vs. consumers.
14
53
1 Slide #2
Presentation Overview
L Profile of the Current Agricultural Economy
a. Farms-Small,Medium.Large n'
b- Farm Statistics , `
7
C. Farmer Demographics
d. Products&Revenue y
2. Community Needs
a. Food Insecurity
b_ Ag Preservation Survey Results s�
c. Ag Summit Survey Results
3. Orange County Programming Overview
4. Regional Collaborations
5. Future Planning and Opportunities
2
3 Slide#3
ProfiLe of AgricuLturaL
Economy
M i
_ � R
4
5
6
54
1 Slide #4
2022 USDA _
Ag Census:
Orange County
North Carolina
Orange Total and Per Farm Overview,2422 and changs since 2017 a Percent of state agriculture
sales
%clunpe
Countysince 291r haze of Sales by Type i%y
Number of farms 557 0 Crops 54
Land in farms iacr Lhms
es) 53,065 -24 iresmdc,pouHry,and prvducs, 40 48
Summary Average sue of farm{ease) 77 -24
Tot —
Total f$) Land I n Farms by Use{acme)
Market value of products sold 32,449-000 44 Cropland 2D,7a3
Govemmeel payments M3.D -M p 10.337
Farn4alaied imzma P,118.004
4Ysedsrel 16,911
Tpty I faun
pr4dUG01 9xpen80a 32,914,OOq -4 alter 5A37
Nei cash farm income 2,511,06U 4!T
Aava impaled:M
Per farm average i$1 1%of lend In farms
Market value of products solo 47,223 -14
3?Wwrimem paymen(s 6.589 +9E Land Use Praclicea I%of firms)
Farm-mlaledinwma' 11-029 �6
Total farm produWcn experiw5 47,W9 { No till 13
Nei cash farm income 3.655 41 Reduced ulI 6
lnlens ve nII 13
2
3 Jonathon Smith said the average of 77 acres is a lot smaller than some other counties, so
4 it shows that smaller farms are common in Orange County.
5
6
55
1 Slide #5
Producers^ 1,199 Percent of farms that: Top Crops in Acres
tax Forage(hay/haylage), it 9.330
Mate 734 Have internal a 8 Soybeans(vr beans 3,266
Female 465 access Q Com for grain 2,752
2022 D Ag Wheat For grain,ail 584
TpbeLrA ltyt
c3.5 117 Farm 35-64 613 organlcaliy 2
65 and cider 469
Census: Roc• Sell directly to r'}O Livestock Inventory(Dec 31.2022)
American Indlan)Xaska Native 11 consumers L
Asian 8 Broilers and other
Black or African American 47 meat-type chickens 1,082
Native Hawaiian/Pocific Islander - Hire Catlin and calves 6,2T7
White 1,110 farm labor 25 Goals 507
More than one race 23 Hogs and pigs 439
Orange Horses and ponies 1.291
Olhn charact�riahca Layers 200,297
Are family
Hispanic,Latino,Spanish angle 2e faints94 Pullets 1,708
With military service 90 Sheep and lambs 1,217
County New and beginning farmers 474 Turkeys 205
°Average per farm remivirg.0 May not and to 100%due in mundm0.`Amortl wuntiea whom rank ran be displayed.°Data collected for a maeimum
Summary W four producare per fam1.•Crap mmnrodity nacres may be ehodomd,see full name at,now nasa.ueda.gd Wuopmmnea.pdf.r Position below the
Ice does not indicate rank.(DI WlefheW to avoid dlsdoaing dela for ndiv4wl operethm.1NA)Not available.(Z)Lass than half of the unit shown(•I
Reprasenra xara.
(cont'd)
2
3 Jonathon Smith explained that he looked into why the percentage of"Farm organically" is
4 only 2% and learned that there are 13 farms that responded to the survey that do organic product
5 sales. He said Orange County is the number 1 county in North Carolina for voluntary sales of
6 organic products. He said a lot of smaller farms are farming organically but don't complete the
7 survey. Based on the age demographics, he said there is a unique opportunity here to mentor
8 and engage young farmers in production agriculture and encourage them to continue.
9 Commissioner McKee said there are only 687 farms and the net cash farm income from
10 the last slide is concerning. He said it indicates that farming is not viable without a second source
11 of income.
12 Mike Ortosky, Extension Agent for Community & Rural Development, said Commissioner
13 McKee makes a great point. He said the vast majority of household income on farms of all sizes
14 in the United States comes from off-farm sources of income. He said this is a critical issue.
15 Commissioner McKee said there is a small percentage of people who are able to juggle
16 the high value crops. He said if there are 5 producers making money, adding 5 more will
17 overwhelm the market and no one makes a profit.
18 Mike Ortosky said part of the solution is building more market for farmers to sell their
19 products.
20 Commissioner McKee said more resources to help farmers with marketing and figuring
21 out a pathway to get their products to the end point at a profitable dollar figure.
22 Jonathon Smith said the presentation will touch on some of the things they are doing to
23 help with this a little later. He said there are a lot of resources for farmers to plug into that County
24 Extension can help them access. He said many Ag Summit attendees appreciate the sessions on
25 money and helping them access markets.
26
27
56
1 Slide #6
ECONOMIC
CONTRIBUTION . Agriculture and Agribusiness,
including the farming,processing,wholesaling
.RTH • and retailing of food.natural fiber and forestry
LINA products,accounted for$91-8 billion of value
AGRICULTUREadded So the North Carolina economy.'
` = THAT'S 17.1 CENTS
OF EVERY DOLLAR.
I.vaka."d"is iM SWn ot"W reiumS M facas of n•:I In
T IN Mtn and mtivdes ameloyee mmpan 6.propne `
nwma.MPW wit w1d,1W panne tows.
CoRage of Agriculture Swm!Apntylru arrrrApnpwawm w hWah CWDkA Pr.MjChM
and L!to Sciences L.YJsltlen.Mc Sw.llm wv..May 7Q1 a Cw.+ra fw Xi 7.
2
3 Slide #7
Statewide Dollar
Multiplier(total new Statewide Jobs Farm Market spending in the state Multiplier(total new DollarMultiplier Multiplier
Value of per$1 of employment in slate
Orange additional product per$1 million
County output using North additional product
Products Carolina inputs output using North D.
Sold (value-added)) Carolina inputs)
Beef Cattle $2,362.000 2.24
Cotton $0 2.02 12.00
Dairy D 2-32 8-30 and nurseries
Fruit $1,064,000 2,40 24.80 Oilseeds 206
Grains $3.452,000 19,12 11.80 Poultry and eggs 2 65 5-7
Greenhouses&Nurseries $7,025,000 1-95 15-20
Oilseeds $1,600,000 2,05 7.70
Poultry&Eggs $11,132,000 2.65 5.70 Tree nuts 2,44 17.5
Timber $5,379,657 1.70 20.80 Vegetables r
Tohacco $811,000 2.22 14.10 and melons
Tree Nuts D 2,44 17.50
Vegetables&Melon $2.110.000 2,07 13,50
Other Animal $1,407,001] 1-71 14-50 Other••
Other Craps $3,085,000 2,46 24.70
$37,428,857
NmhCarollna sra[ewlsle data tram Agr lcuhure and Agribusiness In North
taluslotions forOrangeCountyba.etlon 2022 OSOd Ag CensusmarkervaWetlaee Cari.l b-MlchaefL Walden.NCStare Uni—Ily,May 2019-Oauare fin 2017.
arW•A4+iuJ[urr end dgibwrness In Ver[h[erefira,a.M1Jl 1 L Walden,NL
Stare IJniversixy,V ay]OL9.W[a are torJ0L7_
4
5 Jonathon Smith said there are Extension professionals providing direct support and
6 technical expertise to help all of these production processes.
7 Mike Ortosky explained the Statewide Dollar Multiplier.
57
1 Slide #8
Profile of the Agriculture Economy: Forestry
2022 Forestry • •
Orange County, NC
ILAOrange County has about 116,121 acres of privately owned
A timberland.
0 Landowners in this county received an estimated stumpage harvest
value of$1.7 million.
The forest sector in this county had a total economic contribution of
approximately$189 million in industry output to the county's
economy.
The forest sector in this county supported 652 total jobs with a�.�
payroll of about$48 million.
2
3
4 Slide #9
Profile of the Agriculture Economy: Forestry
Timber1
Forestland by •9 Harvest 1
Ownership NC Orange
Acres Acres Volume Estimate NC Orange
Public 2,601,709 12,404
Timberland (Million Green Tons)
Private 15,367,452 116,121
Timberland Growth 58.1 0.63
Reserve 648,263 -
Forestland Harvest 32.4 0.18
Total
Timberland$ 18,617,424 128,525 Growth:Harvest Ratio 1.79 3.51)
Forestiand
All Land 31,531,452 256,603
•Timberland 57% 50%
•Reserved 2% 0%
5
6
58
1 Slide #10
Profile of the Agriculture Economy: Forestry
Economic . of the Forest Sectorl
Direct Impactz
Emplaymem Labor lncame Value Industry Output
Qabe)• (million$)! Lddad 0MIan S}
{mrion%I
Eor—Y 15 1.48 1.74 2.12
Logparg 87 5.04 6.09 9.64
Pranary Said Wood
Products - - - -
Seundary Solid wood
pf0ducts 270 19-63 2745 73-80
Primary paper 6
paperboard prridn s _ _ _ _
Secdrdary paper 8
paperboard products
102 10.03 1592 6794
TOW 475 36 51 154
2
3
4 Slide #11
Profile of the Agriculture Economy: Forestry
Employment Labor Value Industry Output
(jobs)' Income Added (millionS)'
(million SY' (million$)I
oresc+y 17 1.59 1.96 2.49
°99rri9 110 6.71 8.53 13.32
rimary solid Wood
rrducts
ondary Solid Wood
mod ucts 362 25.53 37.66 92.83
-wary paper 8
perbaard products
pndary paper 6
perboard products
162 13.92 22.58 80.63
olal 552 48 71 189
5
6
7
8
9
59
1 Slide#12
Community Needs
GRANGE CaUNTY
NORTH CAR�LINA
2
3
4 Slide #13
Food Insecurity
Jonathon Smith,County Extension Director,will begin food security Extension program work on February 3.
Outside Agencies involved in food security are now working directly with Cooperative Extension through that
process.
Will begin meeting with outside agencies including nonprofits,churches,food banks,and other organizations to
map current work and identify gaps.
Attending trainings to find ways to link Cooperative Extension resources from NC State University and NC A&T
State University to extend education and address gaps.
Once we have a baseline,will move forward to work on a food security plan for the county with metrics,
funding goals,and anticipated outcomes.
�1
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
5
6 Jonathon Smith said Wake County did a food security plan a few years ago and he hopes
7 to begin work on that soon and complete it.
8 Vice-Chair Hamilton asked how long training etc. will take before the plan can be
9 developed.
60
1 Jonathon Smith said he is going to talk to his counterparts to get an idea of what is realistic
2 and will address low-hanging fruit first. He said a plan should be in place by the end of next year.
3 Chair Bedford added that Aging, DSS, Sheriff's Office, and other county departments all
4 do food-related work too.
5 Jonathan Smith said he will be sure to include all relevant entities and departments. He
6 said one of his first steps will be to create an inclusive advisory council that is ready to work with
7 him.
8 Commissioner Greene said Food Council did a preliminary study that she could find for
9 him. She said the Food Council also did a Community Food Access Assessment in 2022. She
10 suggested looking at some of these things to help him get started.
11 Mike Ortosky said Tri COG Feeds is working on a planning grant for Regional Food
12 System planning.
13 Commissioner Portie-Ascott said Central Elementary recently got a grant to open a food
14 pantry. She asked if it would be appropriate for someone from the schools to be involved in these
15 planning discussions.
16 Jonathon Smith said there is distribution already going on at some other OCS schools as
17 well. He said he will figure out what is currently offered and how to support. He said there is a
18 significant number of students receiving free and reduced lunch in public schools across the
19 country, so this is a major need in schools and will work on ideas to further assist families.
20
21 Slide #14
Food
Production
Resource& Distribution&
Waste Recovery Aggregation
Food System
Elements
Preparation 8 ® Food
Consumption Processing
Purchasing Marketing
Adapted 6y[hristy Shl,lmm{omNl urvverury,Ltlsrove M the rood System; ldwf 1
A Fnrner an Co+nmu+:lY��9/stems,tlnFlrrp Food,Nuirftiun cndA9r^s'✓tfurr
ORANGE COUNTY
()RTf f C'AROLINA
22
23 Jonathon Smith said food security has to involve more than just distributing food. He said
24 there are a lot of variables that might prevent someone from having access to food and will look
25 at all aspects of the local food system.
26
27
61
1 Slide #15
U.S.households with children by food security status of adults and
children,2023
Food-insecure households:17.9%
Food-insecure adults only,9.0%
Food-in-
Low food security secure
among children:7.94'o children
and
Food-secure ' ' Very low food security adults;
among children:1.0% 8.9%
LI.- -.A
Note;In most instances,when children are food insecure,the adults in the household
are also food insecure.
Source:USDA,Economic Research Service using U.S.Department of Commerce,
Bureau of the Census,2023 Current Population Survey Food Security Supplement data. ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
2
3
4 Slide #16
Orange County Food Insecurity
According to the 2022 Feeding America Map the Meal Gap estimates...
17,980 people in Orange County are food insecure
o That is a 12.3%food insecurity rate.
e 45%of this population are above the SNAP eligibility threshold,55%are below the SNAP
eligibility threshold.
o What percentage of this population are not enrolled in SNAP? How can we increase enrollment?
Is there a correlation between food insecurity rates and Medicaid enrollment?
Average meal cost is $4.90. This is above the state average cost of$3.91.
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
5
6 Jonathon Smith said that the cost of a meal in Orange County is, on average, higher than
7 the average state cost.
62
1 Commissioner Carter asked for more information on the food insecurity rates and
2 Medicaid enrollment.
3 Jonathon Smith said with more people taking advantage of Medicaid, he was speculating
4 if there would be a change in food insecurity rates. He said more data should be available on this
5 with next year's census.
6 Travis Myren said he will look into the eligibility cross over.
7 Commissioner Fowler said she thinks DSS tries to enroll people into every program they
8 are eligible for at once.
9 Jonathon said he will touch base with DSS about this.
10 Mike Ortosky said 75% of Farm Bill expenditures go to nutrition programs and less to
11 agriculture.
12 Commissioner Carter asked about vertical farming. She said she's heard it drastically
13 increases productivity on a small footprint. She asked if looking at it for use in Orange County is
14 under the purview of Cooperative Extension.
15 Mike Ortosky said research at NC State and other universities is being done on controlled
16 environment agriculture, which includes vertical farming. He said it does require tons of money
17 and a lot of energy to build or rehab a place that can be used for this purpose. He said it is
18 becoming a larger part of the food chain.
19 Jonathon Smith recommended looking up the Plant Sciences Institute at NC State for
20 interdisciplinary research focused on how to keep North Carolina as an industry leader in
21 agriculture and the plant sciences and to drive technology innovations in this area. He said they
22 send out a newsletter as well.
23 Mike Ortosky said another thing to keep an eye on is Al. He said it is now being used to
24 identify weeds in fields to target them directly, which will decrease pesticide use.
25 Commissioner McKee said any building can be turned into a production facility but is very
26 expensive. He said these technologies are coming, but may be limited to large commercial
27 farmers due to cost. He said there's no reason the county can't support farmers through grants,
28 etc.
29 Commissioner Greene said she just looked up the Farm Bill and it has been extended
30 through September of 2025.
31 Jonathon Smith shared that Caswell and Rockingham counties have been able to
32 purchase large farm equipment and loan it out to farmers for their use which lowers barriers. He
33 said County Extension is working on similar ideas.
34
35 The Board recessed for a break at 2:40 PM.
36
37 Commissioner McKee left the retreat at 2:40 PM.
38
39
63
1 Mike Ortosky continued the presentation:
2
3 Slide #17
OrangeRecent •
Survey ResuLts
ORANGE COUNTY
iVC]RTH CARO•LINA
4
5 Mike Ortosky said this survey has to do with the update of the Farmland Preservation Plan
6 that is underway and has been for a couple of years. He said it's currently being reviewed by the
7 Agricultural Preservation Board and will come to the BOCC in April. He said the update to the
8 plan was precipitated due to the rapid growth being seen in the Triangle. He said there is tons of
9 research talking about the farmland being lost and the most robust is the American Farmland
10 Trust Longitudinal Study which has been underway for the past 15-20 years. He said that study
11 shows that North Carolina is second in the nation, only behind Texas, in terms of the total acreage
12 lost and converted to non-agricultural. He said 70% of that is low-density residential. He said
13 Texas is about 5 times the size of North Carolina and the amount lost is 600K acres vs. 500K
14 acres, respectively, making North Carolina the number one state in terms of percentage of
15 farmland lost. He said the Agricultural Preservation Board has taken the lead on this, especially
16 Jane Saiers.
17
18 Slide #18
ORANGE COUNTY FARMER/LANDOWNER
SURVEY: conducted by Ag Preservation Board: ag preservation subcommittee
• Emailed to 366 CALLING ORANGE COUNTY FARMERS AND
County FOREST PRODUCERS!
farmer/landowners
in Oct 2023 FAR MER/LANDOWNER SURVEY
• Survey closed on Your Agricultural Preservation Board requests your help in updating the County's Agricultural Preservation and
N O V 17, 2023 with Farmland Protection Plan,which describes the challenges and opportunities for agriculture and forestry in the
County,outlines a vision for the future,and defines action steps to achieve that vision.Please complete this
92 respondents survey to provide vital information that will shape the Plan,
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
19
64
1 Slide #19
The most common descriptors of respondents are
farmer/producer, agricultural landowner, forest landowner.
Which of these categories describes you?
92responses
Farmer/producer 61 (66.3%)
Agricultural landowner 47(51.1%)
Forest landowner 44(47.8%)
Producer: livestock 31 (33.7%)
Producer: producelrow crops 21 (22.8%)
Producer: eggs 16(17A%)
Producer: dairy 4(4.3°/°)
Producer,greenhouse 9(9.8%)
Producer: agritourism 11 (12%)
Producer:ornamental trees... -1 (1.1%J
Honeybees and honey 1 (1.1%J
beekeeper 1 (1.1%)
Horse farm 2(2.2%)
Nursery owner --1 (1.1%)
Producer: honey bees —1 (1.1°/°)
Producer honey and honeyb... —1 (1.1%}
0 20 40 60 80
Number(1)of
2 respondents
3
4 Slide #20
Most respondents (73%) are 48 years or older.
What is your age?
90 responses
35 33
30
(n
N
20
Q
4t 13 12
10 10
5MEN 0
0 0
[0,121 (12,241 (24.301 (36,48] (48.601 (60.721 (72,841 (84.963
Age(range)
ORANGE COUNTY
NORT14 CAROLINA
5
6
65
1 Slide #21
Farming/forestry is not the main source of income
for most respondents (70%).
Is farming/forestry your (or your family's) main source of income?
91 responses
Yes
� Nn
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
2
3
4 Slide #22
Agritourism does not contribute to farm income
for most respondents (68%).
Does agritourism (visitors to the farm for recreation, education, or purchasing farm products)
contribute to your farm income?
91 responses
0 Yes
No
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
5
6
7
8
66
1 Slide #23
• The most frequently cited challenges to making a living by farming in
the County are small profit margins and high cost of land.
• The most common plan for the future of farmland/forestland is
transfer to family members] for farm use.
• The topics of most interest for an info session or training are
preserving my land through a conservation easement, ways to
diversify my operation, and transition planning.
• The most common measure respondents would consider for
enhancing their agricultural business is agritourism.
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
Z
3
4 Slide #24
Respondents overwhelmingly consider the most important threat to
farming in Orange County to be development.
What do you perceive as the most important threats to agriculture/forestry in Orange County?List up to
three threats.
85 responses
Devela ment 60
Cost of land (13) -
Cost of infrastructure (12)
Taxes (12)
Inflexible regulations (9)
Climate change (9)
New generations not taking up farming
(5)
All other threats were listed by fewer than 5 ORANGE COUNTY
5 respondents. NORTH CAROLINA
6
7
67
1 Slide#25
"As farmers age out and are dying, "Housing development.
their heirs are sellingland to cash "Encroaching urban areas, This...leads to increased cost of
out on its purchase value to farmland/forest land being sold to land and decreased value of
developW9"lOt Mousing developers for multi-family homes land for agricultural purposes.
complexes are being built on and multi-family developments There's a lot more money in
farmland while we are losing our instead of being kept in selling the land for 5-10 acre lots
resources for soil,foodshed,and than keeping it as an intact farm.
farms.This will create a crisis for farm/forest"
None of the land I see for sale
both our environment and Local around me is selling as
ecosystem as well as for food farmland.It's simply not worth it.
production and water retention and -tn]evelopment,particularly lots and
It's subdivided into
filtering.We d sprawling development that p
g nee to stop encourages large(10 acre)lots. houses are built.This leads to
developing every square inch of the The county development ecosystem deterioration which
county!It took me 20 years of policies should encourage decreases the quality of
workingtwo obs and investing to clusters of homes leavings 4 ty
1 g large percentof open space farmland as well.I'm in the far
scrape together a down payment for rather than making it easy to northern reaches of the county..
my small little farm.It should not be develop to acre lots,5 acre lots. This is not isolated towards
like this.There needs to be more The problems of sprawl in our
county are COMPLETELY the southern more urban parts of
done to save our farmland and predictable based on the the county."
counteract incentives to sell to policies in place currently."
developers."
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
2
3 Mike Ortosky said around urban areas when acres are sold here and there to developers,
4 it results in farmers in the area lessening their planning horizon and not investing in the farm when
5 they see development happening. He said these quotes focus on aging farmers and encroaching
6 urban areas, which can result in nuisance lawsuits. He said in Orange County there is an
7 aggressive Voluntary Agricultural District program, and for participating farms, buyers of property
8 within half a mile are made aware during closing that they are within half a mile from a farm.
9
10 Slide #26
7 of io respondents lack a documented farm transition
or estate plan.
Do you currently have a documented farm transition plan and/or a documented estate plan?
92 responses
Yes
No
i
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
11
12 Slide #27
68
Do you know what a conservation easement is?
91responses
i Yes
Most respondents (84%) .No
know what a
conservation easement
is, but few of them (16%)
have farmland or
forestla nd i n a Do you have farmland or forestland enrolled in a conservation easement?
92 responses
conservation easement. Yes
No
i aonl$wow
goo
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
1
2
3 Slide #28
Respondents consider the most important opportunity for
farming in Orange County to be cooperative arrangements.
What do you perceive as the most important opportunities for growing and/or diversifying agriculture in orange
County?List up to three opportunities.
53 responses
11 respondents listed cooperative arrangements.All other opportunities were listed by<5 respondents.
"Opportunity for shared professional "Distr[i]bution networks that "Creating another facility for
kitchen spaces affordable for small purchase directly from small producing value-added farm
batch production so we can get farmers"
products,because the existing
started producing and selling one is booked 24/7/365,"
without significant startup costs"
"Decentralized private "I'm in the non-commodity livestock
food hubs/farmer owned business.I sell my meat direct to
"Investment in infrastructure and cooperatives" consumers and to other businesses which
projects that support small sell my meat direct to their customers. I
farmers and local food systems- think for too long farmers in my sector
food hubs, processing centers, "food cooperative" have been focusing on what they,as
farmer cooperatives" individuals,can produce and sell. I think
we need to start thinking more
collectively and pool our resources."
4
5
6
7
8 Jonathon Smith continued the presentation:
69
1
2 Slide #29
2025 Ag Summit Needs Survey
What do farmers see as the critical challenges for their operations?
• Input Costs
+ Development
+ Affordable Farm Labor/Labor Costs
• Land Prices
• Managing pasture grasses and cover crops
• New FSMA Produce Safety Rule Pre-Harvest Water requirement updates coming in 2025
• Keeping machinery in good repair and finding local mechanics to assist when things break
down.
• Marketing
• Attaining information on Extension and Soil Conservation
• Climate Change e, V1
• r�
,ram r--
3
4 Jonathon Smith said three farmers were added to the Ag Summit planning committee this
5 year.
6
7 Slide #30
2025 Ag Summit Needs Survey
What do farmers see as the critical challenges for their operations?
• Sustainability
• Succession Planning
• Time Management
• Livestock Challenges(disposal of deceased livestock,predators,high cost of veterinary care,profit
margins)
• Technology(what's out there,what's affordable,what's useful)
• Assuring equitable distribution of resources across racial groups
• Changing rules and processes to increase organizational Sustainability for for-profits and nonprofits
supporting the ag sector
• Access to land and credit for farms and food businesses
h
• Increasing the number of local and regional government personnel who support the local food system -
8
9
10
70
1 Slide #31
2025 Ag Summit Needs Survey
Topics Identified as Greatest Needs for Education
• Agriculture Technology (exposure, adoption, training, capital access)
• Farmland Protection (policies, procedures, process)
• Regenerative Agriculture and Alternative Production Methods
• Taxes/Present Use Value/Bona Fide Farm Status policies and processes
• Forest Management
• Climate Change (preparing for and adapting to)
• Access to start-up capital tllLTp
• Highway Safety
• Fire Ants/Pests1
2
3
4 Slide #32
2025 Ag Summit Education Opportunities
25 Agriculture Industry Partners and Resources will be present to share information with an
estimated 120-150 farmers and agribusiness leaders.
Introductions during opening session from elected officials and agricultural service partners.
Panel Discussion on Farm Emergency Preparedness
THEWAYTORESUENCE
Workshops Plan,Prepare,
Prosper
• New Farmer Networking
• Alternative Grazing Management
• Agriculture Technology and Tools Demonstrations
• Ginger Production (Speciality Crop Discussion) _""�
• Creating an Emergency Plan for Your Farm =
'r
5
6
7
8
71
1 Slide#33
CountyWays ■
Working To Support the Industry
f
GRANGE ��UNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
2
3
4 Slide #34
Visitors Bureau
1. Maintains an Agritourism webpage on its website: https://www.visitchapelhill.org/agritourism/
2. Maintains a Made in Orange County webpage that includes products made by farmers or made at the
Piedmont Food Processing Center:https://www.visitchapelhill.org/restaurants/made-in-orange-county-
nc/
3. Features farm events on its website event calendar: https://www.visitchapelhill.org/event/Bth-annual-
holiday-at-the-farm/31035/
4. Administers the Orange County portion of the Visit NC Farms app by adding new farms and events and
scheduling push notifications to app users:
https://visitncfarmstoday.cam/who-is-in-it
5. Tables at various markets and events to promote the Visit NC Farms app.
b. Promotes local farms and markets in its Sneak Piques mini online film Pest:
https://www.visitchapelhili.org/sneak-piques/agritourism/ IaRMT
7. Maintains a photo library and video library for farmers.
8. Works to recruit travel press to write about local farms.
9. Sponsorship of Hog Day 2024:Sponsorship of Lloyd's Dairy farm agricultural tourism events$3,500
10. Spotlights local farms in the annual newsletter,Orange Slices,which reaches 3,000 readers weekly.
5
6 Tina Fuller provided some information on the NC Farms app and said 100 businesses are
7 on the app for Orange County, 30 farms, and 10 restaurants.
8 Commissioner Greene said she learned there is a lot of tourism interest in going to a
9 restaurant that has ingredients from a local farm. She asked what efforts are being made to
10 increase the number of farms in agrotourism since that was listed as an interest in the survey.
11 Mike Ortosky said the best resource is the Orange County Planning Department. He said
12 they have all the information about what's required for being a bona fide farm. He said because
13 of increasing growth, there is more demand to"get out of the city"so staff tries to work with people
14 through planning issues.
15 Commissioner Greene asked if he is optimistic about increasing agrotourism here.
72
1 Mike Ortosky said there is a ton of interest. He said there are existing farms and new
2 people wanting to get into agrotourism.
3 Jonathon Smith said agrotourism bridges the gap between consumers and producers. He
4 said Mike spends a lot of time talking with farmers about this opportunity and other land use
5 policies. He said the Orange County Planning staff also does a great job informing farmers.
6
7 Slide #35
Recent Articles from Orange Slices NewsLetter
• Local Nut Butter Producers,Big Spoon:Orange Slices-November 12,2024: Big Spoon Roasters
• Botanist&Barrel:Orange Slices-September 3,2024:Cedar Grove cidermaker named one of Wine
Enthusiast's 'Future 40 Tastemakers'in U.5
• Hog Day's commitment to promoting local agriculture:Orange Slices-August 13,2024:Craig Lloyd and
Hog Day Hillsborough
• The Farm's of Orange County:Orange Slices-March 26,2024:Embracing Agricultural Serenity:Enjoy
Farms around Chapel Hill and Hillsborough,NC
• Protecting farm lands: Orange Slices-July 18,2023:"We only have one earth.Let's take care of it."-
Deb Haaland
• History of Blackwood Farm:Orange Slices-June 20,2023:After Renovations,Blackwood Farm Park
Reopens
• Union Grove Farm's Future:Orange Slices-June 6,2023: Union Grove Farm&Vineyard
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
8
9 Slide #36
Stories About Orange County Agritourism from the past year
• This story from June 2,2024 mentions three area farms to visit as part of best
things to do in Chapel Hill:https://vacationidea.cam/destinations/best-things-to-
do-in-chapel-hill-nc.html
• There is a Visit Farms near Chapel Hill section of this story on nctripping.com which
includes Hillsborough and Chapel Hill farms.Scroll to find.
https://www.nctrlpping.com/thi ngs-to-do-in-chapel-hi ll-nc-weekend/
• Blackwood Farm was featured an North Carolina Weekend on PBS an May 9,2024:
https://vldeo.pbsnc,org/video/blackwood-farm-park-lflgmt/ Pick urCut Your Own Fruit and
• The Historic Occon eec hee Speedway Trai I in Hillsborough(History+How to Visit Floux"at these Orange
Today!)on August 1,2024 on the NCTripping.com website: caente'xc Farms
h ttps://www.nct ri ppi ng.co m/h isto ri c-occoneech ee-speedway-trail/
• Hope Blooms at Blawesome Family Farm in Chapel Hill in Our State on March 25, ---W---Y6-w----•W•-
2024:https://www,ourstate,com/blawesome-flower-farm/
• Indy Week story on Union Grove Farm on November 15,2023:
https://indyweek.com/news/orange/a-chapel-hi II-venture-capitalist-is-betti ng-the-
farm-on-muscadine-grapes-katand in-sheep-and-1000D0-red-wiggler-worms/
�1
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
10
73
1 Slide #37
Stories About Orange County Agritourism from the past
year
Recent Biogs that include farms,farm events,etc.
• https://www.visitchapelhill.org/blog/post/festive-holiday-events-in-chapel-hill-orange-county-nc/
• https://www.visitchapelhill.org/blog/post/visit-chapel-hill-orange-county-this-halloween-for-ghosts-
witches-haunted-barns-goats/
• https://www.visitchapelhill.org/blog/post/made-in-orange-county-north-carolina/
• https://www.visitchapelhill.org/blog/post/top-summer-festivals-and-events-in-chapel-hill-and-orange-
county-nc/
• https,/www.visitchapelhill.org/blog/post/pick-or-cut-your-own-fruit-and-flowers-at-these-orange-
county-nc-farms/
• https://www.visitchapelhill.org/blog/post/top-10-spring-events-to-attend-in-chapel-hill-orange-county/
�1
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
2
3 Slide #38
Economic Development
Agricultural Economic Development Grant Program
The Agricultural Economic Development Grant Program assists local farmers to develop new
sources of agricultural income through the provision of cost-share grants. Individual grant limit
is $10,000. Applicants must be able to demonstrate that their operation is a verifiable farm
business.The farm tract and farming operation on which the funds are to be used must be in
Orange County.
• Total agriculture grants awarded from 2015-2024:
v 129 awards totaling $1,035,735.61
• 2024 annual grant activity:
17 awards totaling $135,173
• EY 24125 fiscal grant activity(only 3Q 2024):
0 11 awards totaling $91,312.00
• Remaining funds available to grant for 4Q 2024, & iQ and 20 2025:
$78,028 ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
4
5 Jonathon Smith said this is updated through the 3rd quarter of 2024.
6
7 Mike Ortosky continued the presentation:
8
9
74
1 Slide #39
Agriculture grants awarded to women & minority-owned farms in 2024
Agriculture IFj Women Owned Farrr-_
Grant Paw
Applications Awards Applications Awards Applications Awards
3024 4 2 11 7 18 13
%Received 50% 64% 72%
15%of Total awards were to
IL
Funding
hL
"4Q 24 GRANTS NOT AWARDED AS OF 1110125"
2
3 Steve Brantley, Economic Development Director, said the original guidelines to the Ag
4 Grant program were largely drafted by Karen McAdams of McAdams Farm who was on the
5 Economic Development Advisory Board at that time. He said the review committee currently
6 includes Jane Saiers who is currently the Agricultural Preservation Board representative on the
7 Economic Development Advisory Board, several Agricultural Preservation Board members, so
8 multiple departments work together on this grant program. He said previous recipients are
9 featured in social media ads to recruit grant applicants.
10
11 Jonathon Smith continued the presentation:
12
13 Slide #40
Agriculture grant awards by community,total since 2015:
M
Carrboro 1 $10,000
Cedar Grove 30 $250,353
Chapel Hill 17 $128,374
Efland 10 $82,515
Hillsborough 29 $227,666
Hurdle Mills 18 $128,665
Rougerront 6 $59,910
Mebane 16 $131,363
Durham 2 $17,140
TOTAL 116 $1,035,986
14
75
1 Jonathon Smith said Mike Ortosky is working on videos to show the impact the county has
2 made.
3 Commissioner Carter asked if any other county has a program like this.
4 Steve Brantley said he is unaware of any. He said he receives calls about this from other
5 jurisdictions.
6 Mike Ortosky said he believes Durham has a program like this as well, and if there are
7 others they are not funded at this level.
8
9 Slide #41
Agriculture Grant
r 129 Awards (90 unique farms)
► 22 Farms that have received 2 awards
► 7 Farms that have received 3 awards
Is. 1 Farm has received 4 awards
Farms that have 2 or more Grants
$20,000 or More 14
($30.000 current high)
$15,000 $19,999.99 6
$10,000 $14,999.99 5
Less than $10,000 5
10
11
12 Slide #42
Cooperative Extension
• AgVentures Grant Program
o NC AgVentures Farm Grant Program is one of three programs to offer cost-share grants to NC
family farms to diversify,expand or enhance their agricultural operations.Together these
programs provide a grant opportunity to all 100 counties in the state.
o $27,106 was awarded to Orange County farms in 2023-2024.
o Funds supported:
■ Expansion of cut flower production from 3 to 5 acres for U-pick flower agritourism
operation.
r Transition of 5 acres of row crop land into high density peach orchard with irrigation and
fencing.
■ Purchasing grain bins to help farmer better time sales in accordance with better market
conditions
r Increasing pasture poultry operation to process more poultry at once.
0- I
13
76
1 Slide #43
Cooperative Extension
On-Farm and Virtual Support For Farmers
o Mart Bumgarner,Extension Agent for Crops&Horticulture
o Alex Kissinger,Area Extension Agent for Livestock,Forage,and General Agriculture
(including pond management)
o Mike Ortosky,Extension Agent for Community&Rural Development(agriculture economic
development programs and Breeze Farm programs)
Manages Breeze Farm in Hurdle Mills
o Provides new farm incubation support and facilities.
o Licenses to other farmers needing additional land for added farming capacity.
o With funding from the W.C. Breeze Endowment housed in the NC Agricultural Foundation,
will begin withdrawing $25000+ interest annually to add new features and programs.
Provides a soil test drop off location and technical assistance to landowners for testing
interpretationlappI!cation of results. - -
2
3 Jonathon Smith explained that extension agents share research, practices, etc. out of the
4 University with farmers in Orange County.
5
6 Slide #44
Cooperative Extension
• Contract Administrator for Piedmont Food Processing Center Agreement
o Renewed in 2024 for 5 years.
o New in 2025
■ Open House for public (including elected officials)will be held in mid-to-late
October.
■ Partnering with Extension Farm School to present to new and established
farmers.
■ Adding a minimum of two value-added workshops for farmers to help them
better navigate the process of value-added production and using PFPC.
■ New Marketing Materials are being developed to help Extension and other
partners promote PFPC as a resource to farmers.
■ More youth engagement opportunities (4-H,etc.)
OREM
�x� T
7
8
9
77
1 Slide #45
_. . .. —
. . Nam- _•�_ -. , /'
z
3
4 David Stancil, DEAPR Director, continued the presentation:
5
6 Slide #46
DEAPR - Orange Soil and Water Conservation District
• NIC Agriculture Cost-Share Program -Address nonpoint source pollution by providing technical and financial
resources through a voluntary,incentive-based program designed to improve water quality through the installation
of various best management practices(BMPs)on agricultural lands.
o Examples:Grassed Waterways,Livestock Exclusion Systems,etc.
o FY24 Funding:
■ $40,224 encumbered and reimbursedto the producerfor water quality improvement BMPs.
■ $19,508 encumbered and planned to reimbursethe producerfor future water quality improvement
BMPs.
• NIC Agricultural Water Resources Assistance Program-Increase water storage and availability for agricultural
purposes by providing technical and financial resources through a voluntary,incentive-based program through the
installation of various best management practices(BMPs)on agricultural lands.
o Examples:Water Supply Well.New Pond or Pond Repair,etc.
o FY24 Funding:
■ 1 Water Supply Well Completed with$8,175 in cost-share reimbursed to the producer.
■ 1 Water Supply Well Planned with$14,994 in cost-share encumbered. onuauntiy ORANGE COUNTY
■ 1 New Pond Planned with$36,000 in cost-share encumbered. SOIL&WATER
8
78
1 Slide #47
DEAPR - Orange SoiL and Water Conservation District
• Swine and Dairy Assistance Program -A one-time assistance program for swine and dairy
producers who suffered a loss due to the shutdowns following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Eligible for 90% cost share (up to $100,000 per applicant) for closing their structure.
o Examples:Waste Holding Pond and Lagoon Closure Projects
o FY23 and FY24:
■ $167,092 reimbursed to two producers for two closure projects.
■ In Process-Planning for$100,000 to be encumbered for additional closure project.
• Streamflow Rehabilitation Assistance Program - Help reduce flooding by protecting and restoring
the drainage infrastructure of North Carolina's waterways. Funding covers 100%of the costs for
approved projects.
o Example: Stream Debris Removal on farms to mitigate crop field flooding and timber damage.
o FY22 Application: Completed projects totaled $55,593.56 of services.
o FY24 Application: Approved for$59,295.50 of funds for future projects.
o-wn""A, ORANGE COUNTY
SOIL&WATER
3
4 Slide #48
DEAPR - Orange Soil and Water Conservation District
• Voluntary Agricultural District and Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District
Program - Enhances the identity of the agricultural community by encouraging the
voluntary preservation and protection of farmland from non-farm development.
o 155 farms Enrolled
o 14,864 acres in the VAD
o 2,714 acres in the EVAD
o Total of 17,578 acres in the program
ORANGE COUNTY
5011! & WATER
6 Commissioner Carter asked about the difference between VAD and EVAD.
79
David Stancil said participants can withdraw from VAD at any time, but EVAD is binding
for 10 years. He said that is the main difference.
i Slide .. •
Regional Collaborations
ORANGE •
NORTH
• Slide #50
Tri-COG FEEDS Goals:
• Identify the infrastructure needed to shorten food supply chains,
• Qrive economic development,
• Enhance resilient practices,
• Faster equity,and
TRI-C
• Increase rural-urban connectivity in the region
1
1' FEEDS
Council of Government
10
11
12
13
14
Kerr-Tar Central Pines tipper Coastal
Plain
•
80
1 Slide#51
TRI-COG
r, r, FEEDS
. . ■ Ecosystem EconomicDevelopment Strat
(FEEDS): The Case for acal Government Investment in Food
Systems Infrastructure
�RTI «„L1flN6 E
z
3
4 Slide#52
Cooperative Extension Local Foods Program Team
• Economic Impacts Working Group-Connects county and campus Extension
personnel,provides education and training,answers questions around local food
and economic development, and develops resources to share statewide
Multiple Collaborations with NC State, NC A&T, and Extension Offices
Statewide
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
5
6
7
81
1 Slide #53
Future Planning and Opportunities
The Agricultural Preservation Board (APB)Subcommittee is finalizing the draft
update to the Agricultural Development and Farmland Protection Plan for initial
presentation to Board of County Commissioners in Late Winter/Early Spring.
January 15: APB meeting-gather APB member feedback on the current draft of the plan
(circulated to members on Dec 15 for review).
By January 30: Revised draft(incorporating APB feedback at 1/15 meeting)circulated to
APB members and Staff for final comments or approval by Feb 7-prepare and submit
abstract and schedule presentation to BOCC.
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
2
3 Mike Ortosky said one last thing he wants to share is he is working with Amy Eckberg and
4 others on the possibility of a Department of Energy to install an agrivoltaics research project at
5 the Breeze Farm. He said Central Pines COG will help draft the plan. He explained agrivoltaics
6 for the Board.
7 Jonathon Smith said the goal of that project is to demonstrate to area farmers how they
8 can do it on their farm. He said going forward, there will be approximately $30K in interest
9 available annually at the Breeze Farm for improvements.
10
11 Evaluation and Next Steps
12 Chair Bedford said she appreciated being able to do a deep dive into the subjects today.
13 Commissioner Carter expressed thanks to staff for their work every day and to the retreat
14 planning committee for the agenda.
15
16 Adjournment
17
18 A motion was made by Vice-Chair Hamilton, seconded by Commissioner Fowler, to
19 adjourn the meeting at 3:53 p.m.
20
21 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
22
23 Jamezetta Bedford, Chair
24
25
26 Recorded by Laura Jensen, Clerk to the Board and Tara May, Deputy Clerk to the Board
27
28 Submitted for approval by Laura Jensen, Clerk to the Board.
29
Attachment 2
1
1 DRAFT MINUTES
2 ORANGE COUNTY
3 BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
4 BUSINESS MEETING
5 January 21, 2025
6 7:00 p.m.
7
8 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met for a Business Meeting on Tuesday, January
9 21, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. at the Whitted Human Services Center in Hillsborough, NC.
10
11 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT. Chair Jamezetta Bedford, Vice-Chair Jean Hamilton
12 and Commissioners Marilyn Carter, Amy Fowler, Sally Greene, Earl McKee, and Phyllis Portie-
13 Ascott
14 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: None.
15 COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT. John Roberts
16 COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Travis Myren, Interim Deputy County Manager
17 Caitlin Fenhagen, and Clerk to the Board Laura Jensen. (All other staff members will be identified
18 appropriately below)
19
20 Chair Bedford called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.All commissioners were present.
21
22 1. Additions or Changes to the Agenda
23
24 A motion was made by Vice-Chair Hamilton, seconded by Commissioner McKee, to
25 remove the closed session and add item 4-b, a Resolution Regarding an Air Permit Application
26 Request from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, to the agenda, and to move item 8,
27 Consent Agenda, to be considered after item 4, and to move item 6-c to before item 6-a.
28
29 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
30
31 Chair Bedford did not read the public charge.
32
33 2. Public Comments (Limited to One Hour)
34 a. Matters not on the Printed Agenda
35 Kari Hamel said she would like the school construction policy to be a discussion only item
36 for the night. She asked the public to have more opportunity to provide meaningful input to the
37 revised recommendations. She asked for the page number for the night's agenda to find out the
38 current policy. She said a high number of children are not proficient in math or ELA in both Orange
39 County School District and the Chapel Hill Carrboro School District. She said that the energy
40 being given to the construction lens seems outsized when compared to the real struggles faced
41 by youth such as school absenteeism and poor special education services. She said that the
42 Chapel Hill High School construction project is over budget my millions of dollars. She said that
43 the proposed revisions to the construction policy do not contain the guardrails needed for the
44 public to reasonably know what business the county is undertaking with taxpayer dollars. She
45 said that county-based inspector general role, a public dashboard with real-time construction
46 spending, a public facing monthly work group where the current spending and account balances
47 are required to be disclosed are a few of the policy language improvements that jump out as
48 improvements. She said that the past five years of budgetary mishap in the school district and the
49 declining enrollment are risk points worth offsetting by adding accountability into the policy. She
50 said that household budgets will be more constrained with tax increases, and it would be helpful
51 to have the same policy language for schools receiving funding.
2
1 b. Matters on the Printed Agenda
2 (These matters will be considered when the Board addresses that item on the agenda below.)
3
4 3. Announcements, Petitions and Comments by Board Members
5 Commissioner Fowler attended the DEQ public hearing about the transition from UNC
6 coal to burning plastic and pelletized wood. She said that she sent her own email opposing the
7 change and that she fully supports the resolution that was added to the agenda.
8 Chair Bedford, Vice-Chair Hamilton, Commissioner Carter, Commissioner McKee, and
9 Commissioner Greene indicated that they also attended the public hearing.
10 Commissioner Greene attended a GoTriangle strategic planning retreat, and she is
11 encouraged by the direction of the board.
12 Vice-Chair Hamilton said she was glad to be back at work after the holidays.
13 Chair Bedford said there would be a forum on low-barrier housing on Saturday at the
14 Whitted Building. She said that there are warming centers open and several locations open for
15 individuals that need overnight stays. She said transportation is available.
16 Commissioner Carter said she sent comments to DEQ after the public hearing and joined
17 in some Martin Luther King, Jr. Day events.
18 Commissioner Portie-Ascott said she also attended some Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
19 events. She said that the State of the Region address with the Research Triangle Regional
20 Partnership will be held on May 71h and encouraged everyone to save the date.
21 Commissioner McKee encouraged everyone to be safe in the dangerously cold weather.
22
23 4. Proclamations/ Resolutions/ Special Presentations
24 a. Resolution Certifying and Approving the Results of the November 5, 2024, Bond
25 Referendum
26 The Board adopted a resolution certifying and approving the General Obligation Bond election
27 results from the November 5, 2024, Bond referendum.
28
29 BACKGROUND: On November 5, 2024, Orange County voters approved $300 million in General
30 Obligation bonds to fund capital improvements for the Chapel-Hill Carrboro City Schools and
31 Orange County Schools.
32
33 The election results are included in the attached resolution. The North Carolina statutes require
34 that the BOCC certify and approve the election results as a necessary step prior to the issuance
35 of General Obligation bonds. After the BOCC adopts the resolution (Attachment 1), the statutes
36 require the County to publish a notice of the results. Bond Counsel has provided the form of the
37 notice for publication (Attachment 2), and the Clerk and Chief Financial Officer will ensure
38 publication following Board action.
39
40 Gary Donaldson introduced the item and the resolution:
41
42 Resolution Certifying and Approving Results of School Bond Referendum
43
44 WHEREAS, the Orange County Board of Elections has certified the following results of
45 the bond referendum held in and for Orange County, North Carolina, on November 5, 2024, as
46 follows:
47
48 On the question of the approval of $300 million general obligation school bonds for Orange
49 County,
50
51 YES 56,138 NO 27,040
3
1 and it therefore appearing that a majority of voters voting in the referendum have approved the
2 issuance of these bonds,
3
4 BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED by the Board of Commissioners of Orange County, North
5 Carolina, that the Board certifies and approves these results and declares the issuance of the
6 bonds to be authorized; and,
7
8 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board directs the Clerk to this Board to publish
9 promptly a statement of these results in the form prescribed by law.
10
11 A motion was made by Vice-Chair Hamilton, seconded by Commissioner McKee, to
12 approve a resolution certifying and approving the General Obligation Bond election results from
13 the November 5, 2024, Bond referendum.
14
15 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
16
17 b. Resolution Regarding an Air Permit Application Request from the University of North
18 Carolina at Chapel Hill
19 This item was added to the agenda at the beginning of the meeting. The Board approved a
20 resolution providing comments on the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's application to
21 the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality for an Air Permit modification.
22
23 BACKGROUND: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) currently holds a Title V
24 air quality permit for its cogeneration facility to burn coal and natural gas in boilers to produce
25 electricity and steam. UNC has applied for a modification of its air permit to allow for the
26 combustion of engineered pelletized fuel in its facility in Chapel Hill.
27
28 The attached draft resolution provides comments from Orange County to the North Carolina
29 Department of Environmental Quality regarding UNC's air permit modification request.
30
31 Chair Bedford introduced the item.
32
33 Vice-Chair Hamilton read the first four paragraphs and the last eight paragraphs of the
34 resolution due to the length of the resolution.
35
36 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
37
38 RESOLUTION REGARDING AN AIR PERMIT APPLICATION REQUEST FROM THE
39 UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL TO THE NORTH CAROLINA
40 DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
41
42 WHEREAS, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) currently holds a Title V air
43 quality permit for its cogeneration facility to burn coal and natural gas in boilers to produce
44 electricity and steam; and
45
46 WHEREAS, UNC has applied for a modification of its air permit to allow for the combustion of
47 engineered pelletized fuel in its facility at 575 West Cameron Avenue, Chapel Hill, which is within
48 Orange County; and
49
4
1 WHEREAS, in 2023 Orange County adopted its Climate Action Plan, setting ambitious goals to
2 transition to clean, renewable energy, mitigate the impacts of climate change and ensure long-
3 term environmental protection and quality of life; and
4
5 WHEREAS, while the Orange County Board of Commissioners appreciates UNC's efforts to
6 decrease greenhouse gas emissions and transition away from burning coal, we strongly
7 encourage a transition to clean, efficient technologies that do not have the potential to impact
8 human and environmental health; and
9
10 WHEREAS, UNC's cogeneration facility is surrounded by historically Black neighborhoods where
11 issues of environmental justice are of major and long-standing concern; and
12
13 WHEREAS, these neighborhoods are also home to hundreds of UNC students; and
14
15 WHEREAS, the UNC Hospitals, which treats a constant stream of vulnerable patients, stands
16 only 3,000 feet away from this facility; and
17
18 WHEREAS, all of these communities would be disproportionately burdened by the release of toxic
19 substances through the burning of the proposed waste pellets; and
20
21 WHEREAS, UNC's application estimates reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 12 percent but
22 burning pellets also increases emissions of other harmful pollutants such as nitrogen oxides,
23 carbon monoxide, lead, and volatile organic compounds (300 percent increase) such as benzene
24 and formaldehyde; and
25
26 WHEREAS, the engineered pellets with varying and undeterminable amounts of plastic have
27 been shown to contain per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also called forever chemicals,
28 a contaminant of emergent and immediate concern, with limited research available relating to air
29 emission negative health impacts and safe exposure limits; and
30
31 WHEREAS, air emissions are a significant pathway for PFAS to enter the environment, including
32 local water systems; and
33
34 WHEREAS, the community is already burdened by the presence of PFAS in its major drinking
35 water supply, as a result of which the water authority, Orange Water and Sewer Authority
36 (OWASA), is required to fund a costly additional treatment process to remove the compounds
37 leading to increased consumer rates; and
38
39 WHEREAS, given that PFAS air emissions are not currently regulated by the EPA, it is imperative
40 for the health and safety of the entire community to wait for research to develop standards and
41 regulations; and
42
43 WHEREAS, at the public hearing held on January 16, 2025, a great number of people working
44 and living in Orange County and the surrounding communities expressed their strong concerns
45 about the negative health and environmental effects of using the pellets and the modest reduction
46 in greenhouse gases; and
47
48 WHEREAS, protecting the health, safety and welfare of its residents is the Orange County Board
49 of Commissioners' paramount responsibility;
50
5
1 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Orange County Board of Commissioners
2 requests that the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality deny the air permit
3 application for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC.24A) at this time.
4
5 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution be shared with our NC General Assembly
6 delegation, the Governor, the Town Councils within Orange County, Durham and Chatham County
7 Boards of Commissioners and the Chancellor of UNC.
8
9 This the 21 st day of January, 2025.
10
11 A motion was made by Commissioner Fowler, seconded by Commissioner Greene, to
12 approve the resolution providing comments on the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's
13 application to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality for an Air Permit
14 modification.
15
16 Commissioner Carter made an amendment to the motion that the resolution be shared
17 with the Chancellor of UNC-Chapel Hill along with request that the university consider rescinding
18 their permit application, in the interest of community health and in recognition that the university
19 is leading a research effort in removing PFAS from water.
20
21 Vice-Chair Hamilton seconded Commissioner Carter's amendment to the motion.
22
23 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
24
25 The Board then voted on the amended motion to approve the resolution providing
26 comments on the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's application to the North Carolina
27 Department of Environmental Quality for an Air Permit modification, and provide a copy of the
28 resolution to the Chancellor of UNC-Chapel Hill along with a request that the university consider
29 rescinding their permit application.
30
31 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
32
33 At this point, the Board discussed item 8, the Consent Agenda, as amended at the beginning of
34 the meeting.
35
36 8. Consent Agenda
37
38 Removal of Any Items from Consent Agenda
39
40 Items 8-k and 8-m were removed from the consent agenda for discussion.
41
42 Approval of Remaining Consent Agenda
43
44 A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Fowler, to
45 approve the remaining consent agenda.
46
47 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
48
49 Discussion and Approval of the Items Removed from the Consent Agenda
50
6
1 Regarding item 8-k, Commissioner Portie-Ascott said she wanted the public to hear the
2 Board discuss when real property is going to be sold. She asked what the market value is of the
3 property that is recommended for sale. She asked for more information on the process for selling
4 county property and if there was discussion with the owners of the other neighboring properties.
5 Nancy Freeman, Tax Administrator, said due to the fact that it is not a buildable lot, and
6 the shape is like a buffer lot due to the road behind it, a suitable value is between $4,000 and
7 $8,000 dollars. She said the new value would be $8,400 for 2025.
8 Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked if the value was determined by a licensed appraiser.
9 Nancy Freeman said it was determined by a certified appraiser in her office. She said
10 there was not a separate appraisal done.
11 Alan Dorman, Asset Management Services Director said they also did not perform an
12 outside appraisal.
13 Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked if Nancy Freeman had the comps available.
14 Nancy Freeman said that she is more than happy to get that to the Board at a later time,
15 but she did not have it with her tonight.
16 Alan Dorman said since 2022 they have sold four properties like this in the same way. He
17 said it is a small street stub out and usually a neighbor finds it and asks if the county will sell it.
18 He said they pass it around and ask departments if there is an objection to selling it. If not, they
19 would go back and say if there is an offer made, then they can take it to the Board and that would
20 be the next step. He said the upset bid process is the best way they have found to go about this
21 process. He said that it gets advertised and there are ten days allowed for someone to beat the
22 bid. He said that the process can continue until no one beats the current offer. He said that the
23 amount is then brought back to the Board, and they approve the bid and then send it to the
24 attorney's office for processing. He said that this is the typical process.
25 Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked which newspaper the upset bid is advertised in.
26 Alan Dorman said it is advertised in the Durham Herald-Sun.
27 Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked if it is also advertised on the county's website.
28 Alan Dorman said he does not believe it is, but it could be.
29 Commissioner McKee asked if going through that process establishes market value.
30 Alan Dorman said yes, and they do not have a lot of market value. He gave the example
31 of 129 E. King Street, and they got that one appraised because of the higher value. He said they
32 went into a competitive process after the appraisal, and they sold it for$400,000 when it had been
33 appraised at $169,000. He said it is a bid process and it establishes market value.
34 Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked who determined that it is not a buildable lot.
35 Alan Dorman said they worked with the Tax Department and the Planning Department
36 determined they were not buildable. He said the Planning Department reviewed county-owned
37 land for affordable housing opportunities a few years back and those were set aside. He said the
38 other lots, like this one, are properties that are sitting on the county's books.
39 Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked if water and sewer are connected to the property.
40 Alan Dorman said he would find out.
41 Chair Bedford asked if adjacent neighbors should have been notified of the sale of the
42 property.
43 John Roberts said it is not legally required to do so, but it is allowed to add notification to
44 the process.
45 Chair Bedford said she would like the County Manager to consider adding that to the
46 process in the petition.
47 Commissioner Portie-Ascott said in the strategic plan survey, one of the issues the
48 community had was communication from the county. She said she wanted to make sure the
49 county was transparent. She asked for this discussion to be as transparent as possible. She
50 asked that it also be added to the website.
51 Alan Dorman said he could do that.
1 Chair Bedford said that in the future it could be added as a regular item instead of on the
2 consent agenda.
3 Commissioner McKee said one way they could inform the neighbors is to post a sign like
4 they do for zoning changes. He said they would then see the sign.
5 Chair Bedford said that the County Manager and Alan Dorman could bring that back to
6 the Board.
7
8 Commissioner McKee made a motion to approve item 8-k as recommended.
9 Commissioner Portie-Ascott seconded the motion.
10
11 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
12
13 Regarding item 8-m, Commissioner Carter said there is a contract in the packet and a
14 reference for a written proposal that the contractor will do, and she thinks the material as
15 forwarded ahead of the meeting. She said she wants to add some relevant information about the
16 cost into the public record.
17 Chair Bedford asked for clarification of Commissioner Carter's request.
18 Commissioner Carter said she wanted to add an attachment provided by Greg Wilder that
19 provided more information on the proposals described in item 8-m.
20 Chair Bedford asked if posting it on the website with the agenda materials would be
21 sufficient.
22 Commissioner Carter said yes.
23
24 Commissioner Carter made a motion to approve item 8-m as recommended.
25 Commissioner Fowler seconded the motion.
26
27 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
28
29 a. Minutes
30 The Board approved the draft minutes for the November 19, 2024, December 2, 2024, and
31 December 10, 2024 BOCC Meetings as submitted by the Clerk to the Board.
32 b. Motor Vehicle Property Tax Releases/Refunds
33 The Board adopted a resolution to release motor vehicle property tax values for nine (9)taxpayers
34 with a total of nine (9) bills that will result in a reduction of revenue.
35 c. Property Tax Releases/Refunds
36 The Board adopted a resolution to release property tax values for six (6) taxpayers with a total of
37 eight (8) bills that will result in a reduction of revenue.
38 d. Late Applications for Property Tax Exemption/Exclusion
39 The Board considered twelve (12) untimely applications for exemption/exclusion from ad valorem
40 taxation for twelve (12) bills for the 2024 tax year.
41 e. Advertisement of Tax Liens on Real Property
42 The Board received a report on the amount of unpaid taxes for the current year that are liens on
43 real property as required by North Carolina General Statute 105-369, and to approve, on or about,
44 March 26, 2025, as the date set by the Board for the tax lien advertisement.
45 f. Extension of the 2025 Listing Period
46 The Board extended the 2025 Tax Listing Period until February 14, 2025 and adopted a resolution
47 approving the extension.
48 g. Resolution Authorizing Sale of Property for the Sheriff's Office
49 The Board approved a resolution authorizing the sale of surplus ammunition to the Person County
50 Sheriff's Office.
51
8
1 h. Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget Amendment#5
2 The Board approved budget, grant, and capital project ordinance amendments for Fiscal Year
3 2024-25.
4 L Contract Amendment with Vaco, LLC for Payroll Audit Services
5 The Board:
6 1) Approved a contract amendment with Vaco, LLC for Payroll Audit Services; and
7 2) Authorized the County Manager to execute the contract amendment, subject to final
8 review by the County Attorney.
9 j. Robert& Pearl Seymour Center Corporate Water Easement with Orange Water and Sewer
10 Authority
11 The Board:
12 1) Approved a Corporate Water Easement with Orange Water and Sewer Authority
13 (OWASA) for the Robert and Pearl Seymour Center; and
14 2) Authorized the Chair to sign the Corporate Water Easement paperwork upon final County
15 Attorney review.
16 k. Proposed Sale of 0.26 Acre Property, PIN #9862246076, Hillsborough, NC
17 The Board approved the sale of a County-owned 0.26 acre property, PIN #9862246076, in
18 Hillsborough, NC, and approved a resolution authorizing the sale of the property through a
19 negotiated offer, advertisement, and upset bid process.
20 I. Temporary Memorandum of Understanding with the Town of Carrboro for the Operation
21 of the Drakeford Library Complex
22 The Board ratified the temporary Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Orange County
23 and the Town of Carrboro for the Operation of the Drakeford Library Complex.
24 m. Construction Contract Award for Multiple Orange County Architectural Projects and
25 Approval of Budget Amendment#5-A
26 The Board:
27 1) Approved a construction contract with Harrod and Associates Constructors, Inc. for the
28 construction of multiple Orange County architectural projects;
29 2) Authorized the County Manager to execute the Agreement, subject to final review by the
30 County Attorney, and any subsequent amendments for contingent and unforeseen
31 requirements up to the approved budget amount on behalf of the Board; and
32 3) Approved Budget Amendment#5-A.
33 n. Development Memorandum of Understanding Between Orange County and the Town of
34 Chapel Hill for Legion Road and Formosa Lane Fire and EMS Station
35 The Board:
36 1) Approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the Orange County Emergency
37 Services and Town of Chapel Hill co-location facility potential development of property
38 located at Legion Road and Formosa Lane, Chapel Hill;
39 2) Authorized the County Manager to execute the MOU, subject to final review by the
40 County Attorney, and any subsequent amendments on behalf of the Board; and
41 3) Authorized the County Manager to execute the Professional Services Contract once a
42 firm has been selected jointly by the parties, subject to final review by the County Attorney,
43 and any subsequent amendments on behalf of the Board.
44
45 At this point the Board resumed the agenda as published.
46
47 5. Public Hearings
48 None.
49
50
9
1 6. Regular Agenda
2
3 The Board considered item 6-c first, as amended by the Board at the beginning of the meeting.
4
5 c. New Legislation for Local Community Child Protection Team (CCPT)/Child Fatality
6 Prevention Team (CFPT)
7 The Board received an update on new legislation that seeks to strengthen the State's child fatality
8 prevention system, and to approve the continuation of the current structure of a single Orange
9 County local CCPT/CFPT.
10
11 BACKGROUND: Session Law 2023-134, Section 9H.15 directed the North Carolina Department
12 of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) to create a new State Office of Child Fatality
13 Prevention in order to strengthen the State's Child Fatality Review System for preventing child
14 fatalities and maltreatment. Along with the creation of a new State office, the legislation lays out
15 a broad restructuring of child fatality review systems statewide, with the goal of streamlining
16 processes, preventing child deaths, and promoting child well-being.
17
18 Team membership is nearly the same within the new legislation. Required positions continue to
19 be the following:
20
21 • Director of the county department of social services or the director of the consolidated
22 human services agency
23 • Additional staff member of the county department of social services or the consolidated
24 human services agency
25 • Director of the local department of public health
26 • Local law enforcement officer
27 • Attorney from the district attorney's office
28 • Executive director of the local community action agency, or designee
29 • Superintendent of each local school administrative unit located in the county, or
30 designee
31 • Member of the county board of social services
32 • Local mental health professional
33 • Local guardian ad litem coordinator, or designee
34 • Local health care provider
35 • Emergency medical services provider or firefighter
36 • District court judge
37 • County medical examiner
38 • Representative of a local childcare facility or Head Start program
39 • Parent of a child who died before reaching the child's eighteenth birthday
40
41 Prior to the new legislation, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) could appoint up to five
42 (5) additional members from the community to serve on the team. From 2018 until present day,
43 there is no record indicating any additional team member appointments from the BOCC. The
44 current team roster is attached. The team currently has 4 vacant positions from the required list.
45
46 Team Chair Shannon Barnes has sent out invitations for the attorney position, executive director
47 of local community action agency and district court judge. The team continues to recruit for a
48 parent representative. As of January 2025, the additional BOCC-appointed positions are to be
10
1 replaced by up to five (5) individuals that the Local Team Chair can invite to serve as ad hoc
2 members for a specific child fatality review to enhance the effectiveness of the review.
3
4 The legislation makes the following changes to required reviews:
5 • Local Teams are no longer required to do active child protective services case reviews
6 (formally a CCPT objective), but may elect to do such reviews at the request of the Director
7 of the county department of social services.
8 • Local Teams are no longer required to review every death of a resident child. Instead,
9 Local Teams shall review all deaths of resident children under age 18 that fall into one of
10 the following categories below (and may elect to review additional deaths that fall outside
11 these categories).
12 1. Undetermined causes
13 2. Unintentional injury
14 3. Violence
15 4. Motor vehicle incidents
16 5. Sudden unexpected infant death
17 6. Suicide
18 7. Deaths not expected in the next six months*
19 8. Deaths related to child maltreatment or child deaths involving a child or child's family
20 who was reported to or known to child protective services*
21 9. A subset of additional infant deaths that fall outside of the above categories,
22 according to guidelines set by NCDHHS*
23
24 *Criteria and guidelines will be established by NCDHHS to further define these
25 categories.
26
27 The new legislation also requires local teams to prepare to participate in the National Fatality
28 Review - Case Reporting System (NFR-CRS).
29 • Local Teams are legislatively required to begin using the NFR-CRS on July 1, 2025.
30 • Appropriate data use agreements are being developed and will have to be in place prior
31 to implementation.
32 • The Office of Child Fatality Prevention will provide training to Local Teams on the use of
33 the NFR-CRS prior to July 2025.
34 • The Office of Child Fatality Prevention will also provide guidance and ongoing technical
35 assistance related to use of the NFR-CRS.
36 • Once enough data is collected in the NRF-CRS, the Office of Child Fatality Prevention will
37 analyze and report on aggregate data from the NFR-CRS.
38
39 Quintana Stewart, Health Director, introduced the item and briefed the Board on updates.
40
41 Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked what the review looks like, for example if parents have
42 lost a child to suicide.
43
44 Quintana Stewart said they receive the case one year after the incident. She said the
45 receive a copy of the ME report and they look to see if there was an open case with CPS, the
46 health department reviews to see if they were working with them, they work with the school district
47 and the hospitals. She said they look into the services that the child was in receipt of and try to
48 figure out how to prevent future occurrences. She said they review team looks over all of the
49 information with the goal to prevent future occurrences.
50
11
1 Commissioner Fowler asked if they then find out about any siblings to see if they might
2 need extra support.
3 Quintana Stewert said yes, and they try to put efforts into place that prevent any future
4 occurrence.
5 Chair Bedford asked if these children are residents of Orange County.
6 Quintana Stewart said they were.
7 Chair Bedford asked how many child deaths there are per year.
8 Lindsey Shewmaker, DSS Director, said there are about 12 a year. She said that because
9 the new system goes into place July 1, they receive a DSS report, but they will receive that on
10 consent within the next month. She said that it will summarize this and then three items that the
11 team wants to work on. She said this is preventative in nature and effort.
12 Vice-Chair Hamilton said it is helpful to bring this to the community. She said with the
13 county's strategic plan, she said objective three should also be added because that is to provide
14 social safety net programming for the communities most vulnerable members.
15 Quintana Stewart asked the Board to approve the recommendation to continue with the
16 single County CCPT/CFPT structure.
17
18 A motion was made by Commissioner Fowler, seconded by Vice-Chair Hamilton, approve
19 the recommendation of the Health Director and Social Services Director to continue with the single
20 County CCPT/CFPT structure.
21
22 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
23
24 a. Approval of School Capital Funding Policies
25 The Board adopted new School Capital Funding Policies.
26
27 BACKGROUND: At its October 8, 2024 work session, the Board of County Commissioners
28 reviewed a draft version of the School Capital Funding Policy, which establishes new definitions
29 and guidelines for school capital funding, uses, and allocation methods. The Board made a series
30 of clarifications and corrections to the draft policy. At a second work session on November 12,
31 2024, the Board reviewed updates to the policy, and reviewed a secondary Major Project Planning
32 Addendum. The Board made some changes to both documents. The documents have also been
33 reviewed by the School Capital Needs Workgroup and have been provided to staff in both districts.
34
35 Once adopted, the policies will be implemented starting with the FY 2026 Manager's
36 Recommended Capital Investment Plan, which will be presented in April 2025.
37
38 Kirk Vaughn, Budget Director, introduced the item.
39 Commissioner Carter asked if there is anything in the discussion that might change the
40 policies that are talked about in 6-a.
41 Kirk Vaughn said no.
42 Chair Bedford said she would like quarterly updates on the policy, and she would like for
43 the staff to develop procedures for timing and accounting.
44 Commissioner McKee said there were several places where there were references to "the
45 Board," but it did not specify which Board.
46 Chair Bedford suggested adding (Board) after Board of County Commissioners in the
47 preamble so that it is clear throughout.
48 Commissioner McKee said he just wanted to add something so it is clear. He said he also
49 had a question about a statement on page five:
50
12
1 "Each district is required to identify funds within their share of bond and CIP funds to offset the
2 increase. This will be presented in a BOCC business meeting, and school staff should provide
3 adequate notice based on the County's agenda process. School staff will need to identify the
4 cause of the budget overage and detail the potential impact on the reallocation of their funding on
5 other major projects and high priority needs."
6
7 Commissioner McKee asked what happens if a school system runs out of funding.
8 Chair Bedford said in the first two sets of projects they have plenty of money and will not
9 encounter that issue. She said that near the end of the ten-years is when this could happen.
10 Commissioner McKee said you cannot stop a project at the end of a sequence. He asked
11 where the extra funds will come from.
12 Chair Bedford said they are meeting monthly, and this should not be an issue.
13 Commissioner McKee said he works on a project that is over-budget.
14 Commissioner Fowler said that they will need to be conservative and not expect to spend
15 every last dime.
16 Chair Bedford said that any time it is over 15%, it must come back to the BOCC.
17 Commissioner McKee had a question about the following statement on page 4:
18
19 "Therefore, when emergencies or sudden failures occur, school staff are to provide a written
20 request for immediate reallocation to the County Manager and the Budget Director. The county
21 will then reallocate funds at the next available board meeting."
22
23 Commissioner McKee asked if that locks the Board into providing the funding.
24 Chair Bedford suggested that it state that reallocations will come out of "existing district
25 funds."
26 Commissioner McKee said he supervised the greenway that connects to Chapel Hill High,
27 and he knew that it would not come in at budget or even close and he does not want to get locked
28 into something that they have no alternative other than taxpayer funds.
29 Chair Bedford clarified the changes.
30 Vice-Chair Hamilton thanked Commissioner McKee for his suggestions. She said one of
31 the things that the Board has not done is review policies regularly. She said that the Board should
32 be reviewing policies to make sure they are working for us.
33 Commissioner McKee said he considers it a working document that can be changed at
34 will. He said he hopes that staff will stay on top of this.
35
36 A motion was made by Vice-Chair Hamilton, seconded by Chair Bedford, to adopt the
37 School Capital Funding Policy and the School Major Project Planning Addendum.
38
39 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
40
41 b. Project Management Options for School Construction
42 The Board discussed how to approach project management for school construction projects and
43 to provide direction to staff.
44
45 BACKGROUND: Over the past two years, the County has developed a plan to fund the
46 construction of new and renovated school facilities through the passage of the bond referendum.
47 During this planning period, the School Capital Needs Workgroup and Board members have
48 identified the importance of project management in successfully completing these projects.
49 However, the exact model of project management for the upcoming construction projects has yet
50 to be decided by the County and the Districts.
51
13
1 Successful project management will achieve several goals for the County and the Districts in
2 implementing the bond plan. First, it will ensure that projects are achieved on time, in budget and
3 in scope. Second, the County has identified several values in the Major Project Planning
4 Addendum that should be prioritized. Project management staff would ensure that those values
5 are carried through during the design and construction process into the final builds. Those two
6 components make project management important regardless of the delivery method chosen. For
7 example, in the Construction Manager at Risk delivery method, the construction manager
8 assumes more of the risk in maintaining the budget and scope of the project, rather than the
9 owner. Project management would still ensure that the building meets the district's long-term
10 needs and the County's priorities.
11
12 Under State Statute, the school districts are responsible for school construction, and as such are
13 responsible for management, design, and construction oversight. Under the current model, the
14 districts hire either staff or a firm to provide project management, both for the annual maintenance
15 of existing facilities and for new construction. The school districts make all contracts, decisions
16 and payments regarding school construction and then bill the County for reimbursement. The
17 districts do not construct new facilities very frequently. The most recent new school was the major
18 renovation of Chapel Hill High School from the 2016 bond. In addition, both districts had issues
19 spending down their maintenance funding during the Covid-19 Pandemic. The County
20 encouraged both districts to expand their project management staff and fund them through the
21 Supplemental Deferred Maintenance funds. The County has identified these existing balances as
22 resources to implement the Woolpert recommendations and will work with the Districts to create
23 a plan that is consistent with the principles of the Woolpert recommendations using those existing
24 balances.
25
Available
Unspent Capital Funds New Funding Maintenance Funds for
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City $
Schools $ 6,609,365.29 $ 16,224,511.00 22,833,876.29
Orange County Schools $ 27,510,418.97 $ 16,060,560.00 43,570,978.97
Total $ 34,119,784.26 32,285,071.00 66,404,855.26
26
27 Either district can also agree to allow the County to assume project management, contracting,
28 and oversight responsibilities through an Interlocal Agreement (ILA). That could allow the County
29 to provide additional control over the selection of the architect, project delivery method,
30 processing change orders and ultimate project delivery. The County could not compel the districts
31 to enter into these agreements, other than withholding bond funding.Therefore, the County would
32 likely need to work collaboratively with the districts to codify any responsibility sharing and
33 reporting tasks.
34
35 Staff will present the three broad categories of Project Management structures for the upcoming
36 construction projects, and how the Pay-Go funds could be used to make each method successful.
37 The three options are:
38 • County Controlled Project Management
39 • School District led Project Management (status quo), and
40 • Hybrid Shared Management
41
14
1 These categories are only intended to apply to the Major Projects using Bond funds, as the
2 districts already have project management capacity for their high priority needs projects. The
3 County is able to ensure compliance with the principles of the Woolpert recommendations for
4 High Priority Needs using the project-based approval process identified in the School Capital
5 Funding Policy.
6
7 The Board will discuss how it wishes to proceed on these options and direct staff on how to
8 engage with the school districts on this conversation. There are no decision points for this meeting
9 for the Board. However, funds for design on school construction are planned to be authorized on
10 July 1, 2025 as part of the Capital Investment Plan.
11
12 Kirk Vaughn, Budget Director, made the following presentation:
13
14 Slide #1
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
School Construction Project
Management Discussion
January 21, 2025
BOCC Business Meeting
15
16
17 Slide #2
PROJECT MANAGEMENT CURRENT STATE
• Under State Statute, School Districts are
responsible design, construction and
maintenance of school facilities, and County is
responsible for funding.
• In practice, that means that County authorizes
capital budgets for school districts. School
Districts make all decisions on management,
design and construction.
• School Districts file for reimbursement for all
expenses. County uses expenses to borrow in
Spring Financing
ORANGE COUNTY
NOR CH(AROW NA
18
19
15
1 Slide #3
PROJECT MANAGEMENT GOALS
Successful Project Management achieves:
— Projects are completed on time, in budget, and in
scope.
— County priorities survive from design through
construction
• Educationally Adequate
Flexibly Designed
• Equity between Districts
• 5ustainabillty&Life Cycle Casting
Safety
• Community Usage
• Capacity
— Districts receive a facility that meets their needs for
the next 50 years
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
2
3
4 Slide #4
PROJECT MANAGEMENT BARRIERS
Barriers to Successful Project Management
— Districts do not have much experience in building new
facilities, mostly in maintenance.
— County has more experience with regular new
construction, but not at the scale of school buildings
— County can not assume Project Management without
ILA from districts
— In either case, entity would have to expand capacity
quickly to start first projects
— Multiple stakeholders with different priorities
— Multiple projects being run simultaneously
— Complicated Planning environment—5 possible
jurisdictions.
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
5
6
7 Slide #5
INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT
For the County to have any direct say on School
Project Management, the County will need to enter
an ILA with the individual Districts.
• ILA could dictate delivery method,
standardization of scope/building materials,
change order and value engineering processes,
etc.
• Or ILA could delegate responsibility of design,
management and construction of school facilities
directly to the County.
• County can not compel districts to sign ILAs,
other than power of the purse. `=
ORANGE COUNTY
`!OR'1'H CAROLINA
8
16
1 Slide #6
PROJECT MANAGEMENT MODELS
Use of Pay-Go
E Funds
District School Staff have the best Districts would have to build Provide funding to school
Managed PM understandings of the capacity to properly manage districts to expand PM.
(Current requirements in school projects.County oversight County can add
Process) construction.Most would be indirect.Districts additional FTE to review
responsive to eventual could have different levels of projects,manage
users of the facility. success. meetings and report to
the board.
County Economies of Scale on County staff not as familiar County will directly hire
Controlled running multiple projects with DPI requirements. Project Management.
PM simultaneously.Equity in County is more removed from
design/construction final users of school buildings.
decisions between districts.
Joint All stakeholders are Unless roles are very clearly Both County and School
Management recognized in process. defined,decisions will have Project Management will
unclear or duplicated be funded,based on the
approvals.Delaying projects split of responsibilities.
and causing overruns.
2
3 Chair Bedford asked if this could be regardless of what they adopt.
4 Kirk Vaughn said yes. He said he included it because it could augment their process.
5 Commissioner McKee asked if a county employee has oversight, how is that not violating
6 the state statute.
7 Kirk Vaughn said the person would be gathering information and communicating with the
8 school districts and not making decisions.
9 Commissioner McKee said it is oversight of the process, not oversight of the districts.
10 Kirk Vaughn said that is correct.
11 Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked if there is an option to contract out the oversight role.
12 Kirk Vaughn said yes.
13 Commissioner Fowler said that if it was a county-controlled project management method
14 how would final design be decided upon.
15 Kirk Vaughn said they must communicate with the school boards and the building would
16 have to meet their needs.
17 Commissioner Carter said that DPI can be brought in through the outsourcing.
18 Kirk Vaughn said that the county could look for other firms that are providing this service
19 to other districts.
20 Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked if the interlocal agreement can be initiated by the
21 Board.
22 Chair Bedford said yes.
23 Commissioner McKee said joint management may cause an issue for determining who is
24 responsible for problems that come up.
25 Commissioner Fowler said there were a couple of representatives from the school districts
26 in attendance. She asked how the methods described in slide #6 would prevent the act of God
27 causes of overruns.
17
1 Kirk Vaughn said he had informal discussions with the school districts, and it did not
2 appear there was support for a county-controlled project management method. He said the
3 county used construction manager at risk in the past and they have had success with that.
4 Commissioner Fowler said there are contingencies built in, but it still does not prevent the
5 acts of God.
6 John Roberts said that will come down to the terms of the contract, but some things are
7 not predictable, and he does not know many construction firms that are willing to take on the cost
8 of unforeseen acts of God.
9 Commissioner Fowler said that is the point she is trying to make. She said neither of these
10 points completely fix this issue. She said it is very critical to be conservative at the end.
11 Commissioner Carter asked if there are benefits to the county-controlled method that
12 could be communicated to the districts.
13 Travis Myren said yes. He said regarding a rock issue during construction they build in
14 contingencies.
15 Chair Bedford said the school boards said they would like their own construction manager.
16 Commissioner McKee asked if the districts will be required to follow the Woolpert report.
17 John Roberts said that the schools are not required to follow the Woolpert report.
18 Commissioner McKee asked if the school systems decide they want to follow a different
19 track, he wants to make sure he understands they can do that.
20 Chair Bedford said not the way that Commissioner McKee is saying it because those
21 projects must be approved by the BOCC, and they need four votes on any of those projects that
22 are using bond funds. She said that they have been advised that the majority of this Board want
23 them to follow the Woolpert report.
24 Commissioner McKee said that the only alternative is to withhold funds, and he cannot
25 see the Board allowing schools to fall down because of this.
26 Chair Bedford said that everyone has been cooperative in the school collaboration
27 meetings. She said the principles are flexible and this is a collaborative process.
28 Commissioner McKee said he wants to be sure that he is understanding it correctly. He
29 said that he is nowhere close to a legal understanding, but he wants to make sure everyone
30 understands that the schools have the responsibility to build schools.
31 John Roberts said that is correct and they are not legally required to follow the report but
32 that as Chair Bedford pointed out, the Board controls the funding and has expressed its desire
33 that they prefer the districts to follow the Woolpert Report.
34 Commissioner McKee said he would not want this to become a contentious issue.
35
36 Slide #7
NEXT STEPS
• Board to discuss preferences and direct staff in
how to engage with School Districts
• No decision required tonight.
• However, ILA negotiation process can be long,
and funds for planning are to be distributed July
1, 2025.
ORANUE COUNTY
Noun i CAROLINA
37
18
1 PUBLIC COMMENTS:
2 George Griffin, Chair of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School Board, said they are in
3 agreement with what they are hearing the Board say. He said they plan to replace three
4 elementary schools in-line with the Woolpert recommendations. He said that they will build a
5 building that will serve the community for the next 20 years. He said he thinks everyone will be
6 pleased. He said on February 6 the school board will get the opportunity to discuss the details.
7 He said they would prefer to manage the project, but they do not intend to manage it with their
8 own staff.
9 Al Ciarochi, the Deputy Superintendent for Operations at Chapel Hill-Carrboro City
10 Schools, said the NC Statutes have three primary procurement models the school boards can
11 follow. He said they have been looking at design-build and construction manager at risk because
12 they have a time limited and finance limited project.
13 Commissioner Fowler said all three bidders used the same subcontractors for the Chapel
14 Hill High School RFQ process. She asked how they will know if the design-build process has
15 better access to labor.
16 Al Ciarochi said when you go with low bid, most companies are willing to bid if they know
17 that they can schedule the project. He said that there are so many projects that most will not
18 invest to compete with the low bid.
19 Commissioner Fowler asked how much more does it cost to do design build.
20 Al Ciarochi said he can't give specifics, but he wants them to help facilitate bond
21 sequencing and procurement delivery method. He said that they would help for each school. He
22 said they could have different processes for each building. He said the economy is not allowing
23 for a hard bid process.
24 George Griffin said he wanted to stress that they are in agreement with the priorities, and
25 he said he understands the concerns.
26 Vice-Chair Hamilton said she appreciates the discussion. She said she values having
27 good input from the school boards and staff. She said they need more information from them and
28 from the experts before decisions are made. She said they want well-built schools that meet the
29 needs of the students, and they need to figure out the best way to do that.
30
31 At this point, the Board considered the worsening weather situation and decided to end the
32 meeting early (see Adjournment).
33
34 c. Orange County's Proposed 2025 Priority Legislative Issues
35 The Board did not consider this item due to inclement weather and will consider it on a future
36 meeting agenda.
37
38 7. Reports
39 None.
40
41
42 9. County Manager's Report
43 The Board did not consider this item due to the inclement weather.
44
45 10. County Attorney's Report
46 The Board did not consider this item due to the inclement weather.
47
48 11.Appointments
49 None.
50
51
19
1 12. Information Items
2 • Tax Collector's Report— Numerical Analysis
3 • Tax Collector's Report— Measure of Enforced Collections
4 • Tax Collector's Report— Foreclosure Chart
5 • Tax Assessor's Report— Releases/Refunds under $100
6 • Memorandum — Update on Civil Rights Trail Marker Program
7 • Memorandum — Pending Amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance
8 • Memorandum — Recognition of County Employee Retirements from October 1, 2024,
9 through December 31, 2024
10
11 13. Closed Session
12 The previously scheduled closed session was removed from the agenda at the start of the
13 meeting.
14
15 Adjournment
16
17 A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Fowler, to
18 adjourn the meeting at 8:22 p.m.
19
20 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
21
22 Jamezetta Bedford, Chair
23
24
25 Recorded by Laura Jensen, Clerk to the Board
26
27 Submitted for approval by Laura Jensen, Clerk to the Board