HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 06-17-2025-Business Meeting 1
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MINUTES
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
BUSINESS MEETING
June 17, 2025
7:00 p.m.
The Orange County Board of Commissioners met for a Business Meeting on Tuesday, June 17,
2025, at 7:00 p.m. at the Southern Human Services Center in Chapel Hill, NC.
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT. Chair Jamezetta Bedford, Vice-Chair Jean Hamilton,
and Commissioners Marilyn Carter, Amy Fowler, Sally Greene, Earl McKee, and Phyllis Portie-
Ascott
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:
COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT. John Roberts
COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Travis Myren and Clerk to the Board Laura Jensen
(All other staff members will be identified appropriately below).
Chair Bedford called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. All commissioners were present.
1. Additions or Changes to the Agenda
A motion was made by Chair Bedford, seconded by Vice-Chair Hamilton, to remove item
6-c from tonight's agenda.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
Chair Bedford read the public charge and explained the process for making public
comments.
2. Public Comments (Limited to One Hour)
a. Matters not on the Printed Agenda
George Barrett said he is part of the Orange County Property Tax Justice Coalition. He
said the group is made up of residents who care about the recent inequitable property tax
revaluations in neighborhoods. He said that they have seen dramatic increases that outpace
market realities. He said the increases are not felt equitably. He said that many are elders or on
a fixed incomes and represent historically underrepresented groups. He said they face possibility
of being priced out of homes that they have spent generations building and protecting. He said
that in those neighborhoods, they are seeing between 25-80% increase in property taxes totaling
over $2 million in total increases. He said that other wealthier neighborhoods in the county are
seeing a million dollar decrease even after seeing a whopping increase in property values over
the last four years. He said that 270 people in the community have signed onto a petition saying
that the property tax values need to be addressed systemically. He said they have six clear
concerns and asks for the county (noted the first three are urgent and could not wait): 1) Work
with the Orange County Property Tax Justice Coalition to present the identified neighborhood
inequities to the BOER and that it be considered as evidence for adjustments; 2) Undertake a fair
reassessment of the neighborhoods named in the letter to make adjustments and address
inequities in land values; 3) Correct undervalued luxury apartment buildings so they carry their
fair-share of the tax burden; 4) Integrate well-documented mass-assessment tools for future
evaluations to seek and ensure virtual equity and fairness in valuations that could help prevent
regressivity; 5) Improve the fairness of land values by working with the UNC School of
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Government and the NC Housing Coalition; 6) work with community experts rather than hire a
consultant. He thanked the Board for their time and their consideration of the requests.
Lillie Brown said she owns two properties on Rogers Road and her new tax assessment
is up $80,300 on one and up $118,800 on the other. She said she wants to know why the values
have gone up so much. She said she appealed but it was denied.
Heather (last name not given) said her grandmother lives on Oak Hill Road in Chapel Hill
and was displaced because she could not pay the taxes on her home. She said her mom's taxes
doubled and she lives in a modular home. She said it does not make sense. She said that her
aunt is working class and indigenous and that her grandmother is 90 years old and that they
should not be dealing with this.
Beverly Walton said in her community there are two houses that sold for $250,000 that
were gutted and remodeled, while her house has not had anything done to it since it was built in
1977. She said her house is therefore not comparable to the other two houses and should not be
valued the same.
Regina Merritt said she is a member of Councilville and has lived there all her life. She
said her mom is 88 years old and her taxes have gone up and social security will not cover it. She
said she would love to know how the values are being set. She asked if anyone had been to
Councilville like she requested. She said it seems a lot of people do not understand what is going
on in Orange County. She said she looked at differences between white community taxes and
black community taxes and she said she does not understand if they are trying to be run out of
their property. She said her property was given to her by her grandparents. She said all of Chapel
Hill has been gentrified. She said something needs to be done because this is heartbreaking. She
said they are owed answers on how they are coming up with the numbers.
Elizabeth Young said she is a volunteer at RENA. She said she first met Ms. Brown in
2022 and that is what sparked her interest in the property valuations. She said that in 2020, her
lot was only $400 in taxes. She said in 2021, it doubled to $800. She said that since that, it will
be $1800 now. She said it is an empty lot with a mobile home. She said Ms. Brown's case shows
that a quadruple increase since 2020.
William Gattis said he has tried to hold onto family property in Carrboro. He said one house
he has required him to take a loan out just to pay the taxes on it. He said he has a two bedroom
that is 760 square feet with a tax value of$425,000 in 2025. He said that he is on a fixed income
and is 79 years old. He said there is a house within 600 feet of his house, and it has a tax value
of $403,000 and it is 6 bedrooms, 2k square feet, and is a rental property. He said he is trying to
understand how this can be. He said he asked about tax relief but was told that he and his wife's
annual income of about $50,000 puts them over the income limit.
Betty Gear said she is 81 years old, and she has lived in Chapel Hill her whole life, and
so were her parents. She said it is not right for the taxes to have increased this much. She said
she does not want to be run out of her town.
Commissioner Greene asked if the coalition could go to the BOER.
John Roberts said only individual property owners can appeal to the BOER, the coalition
can attend as support, but cannot appeal on behalf of property owners.
b. Matters on the Printed Agenda
(These matters will be considered when the Board addresses that item on the agenda below.)
3. Announcements, Petitions, and Comments by Board Members
Commissioner McKee had no comments.
Commissioner Portie-Ascott said she was heartbroken over the assassination and
attempted assassinations of lawmakers in Minnesota. She said that violence has no place in
democracy — anywhere. She said when they disagree, they should turn to conversations,
compassion, and the ballot box rather than fear or force. She said that the strength of our country
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lies in the ability to disagree with debate and to move forward together even when we see things
differently. She said as the Orange County representative to the NC Association of County
Commissioners (NCACC), she has asked the executive director to issue a statement condemning
political violence. She said that it is time to speak in a unified voice. She said she also attended
the County Advocacy Days at NCACC and urged legislators to vote no on Senate Bill 205. She
said the bill's title is around swimming pool regulations, but the text includes sweeping land use
regulations that were pulled from HB 765. She said the regulations undermine local authority over
development decisions. She said that she had the chance to speak with Rep. Price over these
concerns but was unable to connect with the full Orange County delegation. She said that
legislators need to continue to hear from them about the serious problems of the bill. She said
some of the key issues are strict and inflexible times to review development applications with
automatic approvals if local government miss a deadline, even if the application is incomplete.
She said there is also language that increases the legal risk for local governments. She said there
is language that limits zoning and other land use tools that they depend on like density
classifications, conditional rezonings, and UDO language changes. She said the changes take
power from local governments and hand it over to the state without regard for local context or
consequences. She said that she is asking the Board to support a resolution opposing the land
use provisions in SB 205 as recommended by NCACC.
Chair Bedford said the request matches the record of the Board as shown in the adopted
legislative agenda and that Board can approve a resolution in July if it is timely.
Commissioner Greene echoed Commissioner Portie-Ascott's comments on political
violence. She shared two petitions. She said the first one involves the presentation of the transit
work plan and she said that she believes they can do better on presenting the plans to the public
along with the regional transit tracker which shows how transit money is being spent. She said
that the second petition is about development proposals. She said the Board and public could
benefit if the decision were to be made over the course of two meetings. She said that the
presentation can occur at the first and then approval at the second.
Chair Bedford said they will work out a way to prevent redundant comments. She said
they will figure a way to manage the public comments with the time needed for the Board to
discuss and decide.
Vice-Chair Hamilton said on June 5t", the Board had a work session on the budget that
will be adopted today. She said this has been the most difficult budget since she became a
commissioner. She said they are dealing with federal and state cuts, and concerns about property
valuations and fairness. She said she takes concerns seriously and that she will be following up
and keeping the conversations going. She said there will be a business meeting on July 8'" and
petitioned to have a report on the property valuation and the fairness. She said she has tried to
be as balanced as they can be and move forward with projects that invest in the future. She
thanked Orange County staff and recognized they are only getting 2% raises. She said Alliance
Health provides physical and mental health care for people that are uninsured and on Medicaid
and covers seven counties. She echoed comments about the assassination and attempted
assassination in Minnesota. She said her thoughts and prayers are with everyone that is
witnessing the unraveling of the nation's civic and peaceful democracy. She said she attended
the No Kings rally and appreciated the civil process it represented. She said that we are all
Americans and will find our way with liberty and justice for all.
Commissioner Carter thanked the residents who came out tonight who continue to share
information with the Board and staff that helps them get better. She thanked staff for holding the
increase on the tax rate as low as possible and said they are coming in at 1.19 cents over the
revenue neutral rate. She said that staff has worked hard to try to reduce the impact. She also
condemned political violence and supported Commissioner Portie-Ascott's petition. She said
NACo has issued a statement about the events in Minnesota. She quoted some of the statement.
She said that political violence is unacceptable. She said she extended her condolences to the
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families in Minnesota. She said that they can help set the tone of how to deal with those that are
struggling. She said a lot of people in communities are struggling. She said she attended a session
by the Department on Aging last week called Anyone Can Be a Mental Health Advocate. She said
political violence and mental health are not the same thing, but a lot of violence does come from
other sources. She said she isa proud of how this local government normalizes mental health as
part of overall health. She thanked everyone for the feedback and the colleagues for modeling
the way they should go forward.
Commissioner Fowler said she attended the Board of Health's behavioral health
subcommittee meeting, and they are supporting the increasing the prevention of suicide and to
provide mental health resources. She said she also attended the Triangle West TPO, and they
approved putting out Metropolitan Transportation Plan 2026-2035 for a 45-day comment period
and the SPOT 8 public comment period. She said that elected members asked how they can start
preferring transit and bike-ped without losing funds from the state. She said that 90% of
transportation funds go to highways from the state. She said that 4% goes to transit and bike/ped,
ferries, airports and the remaining 6% gets flexed between highways and the other categories.
She said that she also attended the Juneteenth observance last Friday and the No Kings protest.
She said that she appreciates that 99.5% of them were peaceful. She called for civil discourse
amongst all and said she shares her colleagues' sentiments about the heinous political violence
in Minnesota. She said that she just attended two different gun violence events the prior weekend.
She said she also attended the groundbreaking for Almond Village with 75 affordable housing
units. She thanked Habitat for Humanity and all that helped. She thanked those who came to the
meeting tonight to speak about tax fairness and justice. She said that in prior meetings they have
asked the manager to work on vertical equity and noted that the Manager is forming a work group
to focus on equity in tax values.
Chair Bedford said she agrees with her colleagues on their thoughts on the political
violence and expressed her appreciation to all of those that speak at the meetings and how they
remain civil. She said that tomorrow morning there is a grand opening of a new EMS station in
Efland. She said there is a job fair on June 25t" from 9am-1 pm in Hillsborough at DSS. She
reminded everyone that county offices, including the landfill and recycling, are closed on
Juneteenth. She said the celebrations last Friday celebrate freedom and remind people to keep
hopes alive and to work through peaceful protests. She encouraged everyone to be careful in the
summer heat and announced the county cooling centers. She said the board will approve an
increase in funding for the longtime homeowners assistance program tonight to help with county
portion of tax bills. She thanked county department directors and staff for their work throughout
the year.
4. Proclamations/ Resolutions/ Special Presentations
a. Proclamation Honoring Jason Johnson as the 2025 Wells Fargo North Carolina Principal
of the Year
The Board approved a proclamation honoring Jason Johnson as the 2025 Wells Fargo North
Carolina Principal of the Year.
BACKGROUND: Principal Jason Johnson of Orange High School was named the 2025 Wells
Fargo North Carolina Principal of the Year. Principal Johnson was also named the Orange County
Schools Principal of the Year in 2010 and 2024. North Carolina has recognized outstanding
principals through its Principal of the Year program since the 1980s, helping promote the
profession through advocacy and support while recognizing principals who are implementing best
practices in schools across North Carolina. Johnson will spend the 2025-26 school year traveling
the state as an ambassador for the profession. The NC Principal of the Year serves in an advisory
capacity to the North Carolina State Board of Education for a two-year term and also serves on
the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Public School Forum.
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Chair Bedford introduced the item.
Commissioners read the following proclamation in turn:
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PROCLAMATION HONORING JASON JOHNSON
AS THE 2025 WELLS FARGO
NORTH CAROLINA PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR
WHEREAS, Orange High School Principal Jason Johnson has generously contributed and
worked tirelessly in public education for 28 years; and
WHEREAS, Principal Johnson served as a teacher, school transformation coach, assistant
principal, and executive director of Orange County Schools before returning to his calling as a
principal; and
WHEREAS, working with students, teachers, and families is at the heart of who Principal Johnson
is as an educational leader; and
WHEREAS, as principal, Jason Johnson is an advocate for equity in schools and ensuring that
student voices are heard; and
WHEREAS, under his leadership, Orange High School exceeded academic growth in 2024 and
rose from a C to a B school as rated by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction; and
WHEREAS, Principal Johnson was previously the 2010 and 2024 Orange County Schools
Principal of the Year; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Johnson has also lent his expertise and experience to the Orange County
Schools Equity Task Force, the Orange County Government School Bond Education Committee,
the Orange County Business Advisory Council, and the North Carolina State Employees' Credit
Union (SECU)Advisory Committee; and
WHEREAS, Principal Johnson leads by listening to teachers, students, staff members, and
members of the community, and fosters a collaborative culture at Orange High School;
NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, do hereby honor Principal
Jason Johnson as the 2025 Wells Fargo North Carolina Principal of the Year and encourage the
residents of Orange County to join with us in expressing gratitude for his dedicated service to
education.
This the 17t" day of June, 2025.
Jamezetta Bedford, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners
A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Portie-Ascott,
to approve and authorize the Chair to sign the proclamation.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
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Principal Jason Johnson thanked the Board for their support and the proclamation. He
said without the support of the County Commissioners, the work at Orange High School and other
schools in the county cannot be done. He introduced his family, and thanked the Board again for
this recognition.
Dr. Danielle Jones, OCS Superintendent, said she is proud of Principal Johnson and said
this award is well-earned. She said he has been a joy to work with since he started with OCS,
and loves the students and loves his community. She said the Principal of the Year goes on a tour
and supports principal leadership throughout the state. She said after the tour, he will come back
home to OCS, and she looks forward to working with him in the many years to come.
The Board took a photo with Principal Johnson.
5. Public Hearings
a. Hillsborough Circulator Transit Improvements
The Board conducted a public hearing and approved improvements to the existing Hillsborough
Circulator fixed route service.
BACKGROUND: Orange County Transportation Services has completed an operational analysis
of the existing Hillsborough Circulator fixed-route service and is ready to move forward with
enhancements as outlined in the 2022 Orange County Transit Plan, Annual Work Program and
the 2024 Short Range Transit Plan. These planned improvements focus on increasing operational
efficiency, boosting ridership, and more effectively serving key destinations such as government
offices, grocery stores, and residential communities.
The improved Hillsborough Circulator:
1. Realigns the existing fixed route into two (2) fixed routes to reduce travel times and
improve connectivity (Attachment 1).
2. Reduces wait time from 60 minutes to 45 minutes to enhance service frequency and rider
convenience (Attachment 2).
3. Adds a new stop at the Orange County Health Department and Whitted Building.
4. Establishes the Orange County Library as a transfer point with a 15-minute wait time.
The notice for this public hearing has been issued (Attachment 3) and scheduled to present the
improved service and collect additional community feedback.The enhanced circulator is expected
to increase ridership and overall service quality without any new budget appropriations.
Sarah Williamson, Deputy Director of Transportation Services, introduced the item and
reviewed the background information.
A motion was made by Commissioner Fowler, seconded by Vice-Chair Hamilton, to open
the public hearing.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
No one signed up to speak.
A motion was made by Commissioner Fowler, seconded by Vice-Chair Hamilton, to close
the public hearing.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
A motion was made by Commissioner Carter, seconded by Commissioner Fowler, to
approve the improvements to the existing Hillsborough Circulator fixed route service.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
Chair Bedford said this is a long time coming, and it is exciting to see these changes. She
said she thinks this will increase ridership even more.
Sarah Williamson said staff hopes so, and reminded the Board about the route's ribbon-
cutting next Tuesday morning.
6. Regular Agenda
a. Approval of Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget Ordinances and County Fee Schedule
The Board approved the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget Ordinances and County Fee Schedule, and
approve the Opioid Settlement Fund spending authorization resolution.
BACKGROUND: At the June 5, 2025 budget work session, the Board of County
Commissioners made decisions regarding the County's FY 2025-26 budget. See the
following attachments related to those decisions:
• Attachment 1 — the Resolution of Intent to Adopt the FY 2025-26 Orange County
Budget outlines the actions approved by the Board of County Commissioners at the
Budget work session on June 5, 2025
• Attachment 2 — the FY 2025-26 Budget Ordinance is the legislation implementing the
FY 2025-26 Annual Operating Budget for Orange County, including Grants Project
Ordinances
• Attachment 3 —the FY 2025-26 County Fee Schedule
Attachment 4 —the spending authorization resolution for all Opioid Settlement Fund activities that
are included in the Approved Budget in compliance with the State's Memorandum of
Understanding with the County on reporting spending in the Opioid Settlement Fund.
Travis Myren introduced the item.
A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Greene, adopt
the FY 2025-26 Budget Ordinances which sets the countywide tax rate at 63.83 cents per $100
of value, adopt the FY 2025-26 County Fee Schedule, and approve and authorize the Chair to
sign the Opioid Settlement Fund spending authorization resolution, consistent with the
parameters outlined in the Board's Resolution of Intent to Adopt the FY 2025-26 Orange County
Budget.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
b. Accept the Ten-Year Capital Investment Plan (CIP) and Approve the FY 2025-26 Orange
County Overall CIP Protects
The Board accepted the FY 2025-35 Orange County Ten-Year Capital Investment Plan (CIP),and
approve the FY 2025-26 Orange County Overall CIP Projects.
BACKGROUND: For over 20 years, the County has produced a Capital Investment Plan (CIP)
that establishes a budget planning guide related to capital needs for the County as well as
Schools. The current CIP consists of a 10-year plan that is evaluated annually to include year-to-
year changes in priorities, needs, and available resources. Approval of the CIP commits the
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County to the first-year funding only of the capital projects; all other years are used as a planning
tool and serves as a financial plan.
Capital Investment Plan — Overview
The FY 2025-35 CIP includes County Projects, School Projects, and Proprietary Projects. The
School Projects include Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, Orange County Schools, and Durham
Technical Community College — Orange County Campus projects. The Proprietary Projects
include Water and Sewer, Solid Waste Enterprise Fund, and Sportsplex projects.
The CIP has been prepared anticipating moderate economic growth of approximately 2% in
property tax growth over the next ten years, and 4% sales tax growth. Many of the projects in the
CIP will rely on debt financing to fund the projects.
Attachment 1 is the FY 2025-35 Capital Investment Plan Overall Summary of $75,322,781
(individual projects were provided to the Board of County Commissioners at previous work
sessions, and revised project funding was discussed at the June 5, 2025 budget work session).
Attachment 2 lists County Capital Projects Summary totaling $38,035,068 in FY 2025-26 (Year
1).
Attachment 3 lists Proprietary Capital Projects Summary totaling $3,744,294 in FY 2025-26 (Year
1).
Attachment 4 lists School Capital Projects Summary totaling $33,543,419 in FY 2025-26 (Year
1).
Travis Myren introduced the item.
A motion was made by Commissioner Greene, seconded by Commissioner Fowler, to
accept the FY 2025-35 Orange County Ten-Year Capital Investment Plan, and approve funding
for FY 2025-26 and adopt the FY 2025-26 County Capital projects as stated in Attachment 2; the
FY 2025-26 Proprietary Capital projects as stated in Attachment 3; and the FY 2025-26 School
Capital projects as stated in Attachment 4.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
c. Condominium Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding with the Town of
Carrboro for the Operation of the Drakeford Library Complex
This item was removed from the agenda at the start of the meeting.
7. Reports
a. Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness (OCPEH) Point-In-Time Count and
Monthly Homelessness Report
The Board received a report on the most recent homelessness data from 2025's Point-In-Time
(PIT) Count as well as the first installment of OCPEH's new monthly report on outputs.
BACKGROUND: The Point-in-Time (PIT) Count is a count of sheltered and unsheltered people
experiencing homelessness on a single night in January. The United States Department of
Housing & Urban Development(HUD) requires that Continuum of Care Programs(CoCs)conduct
an annual count of people experiencing homelessness who are sheltered in emergency shelter,
transitional housing, and Safe Havens on a single night. CoCs also must conduct a count of
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unsheltered people experiencing homelessness every other year (odd numbered years). Each
count is planned, coordinated, and carried out locally.
OCPEH's Monthly Data Report is a new report on program outcomes that will be relayed at each
monthly OCPEH Leadership Team meeting. The first monthly report was presented at the May
2025 Leadership Team meeting and included data on outcomes from the Housing Helpline, Street
Outreach, Harm Reduction and Deflection (SOHRAD), SSI/SSDI Outreach,Access and Recovery
(SOAR), and Housing Access Coordination. The monthly reports starting in June 2025 will also
include outcomes from the Rapid Rehousing (RRH) program.
Blake Rosser, Housing Director, made the following presentation:
Slide #1
ORANGE COUNTY
HOMELESSNESS DATA
Danielle DeCaprio,LCSW
OCPEH Homeless Program Manager
06.17.2025
Orange County
Partnership to
Jf ^ End Homelessnes
10
Slide #2
ANNE_
PIT COUNT
• HUD required reporting
• "Snapshot of Homelessness"—one point in time
• This year on Monday,January 27
• Same as Durham
• Collected surveys through Friday
• Issues with Accuracy
• Self reporting
• Can be environmental dependent—i.e.CWC, raining
• Transitional Housing=Men's Shelter
• Note Data in OCConnect
• Active List= 127
• Not Yet Service Connected= 114
Orange County
Partnership to
�l E Honelessn
es
Blake Rosser indicated that Orange County coordinated with Durham County for the PIT
count to avoid double counting.
Slide #3
TOTAL EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS
PIT COUNT — 01 .27.2025
zoo
180 176
160 148 149
140 124 133 126
10 ■100
80
60
40
20
0
2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
■Tocal Experiencing Homelessness
NNOrange County
Partnership to
*PIT Data presented here is locally confirmed,but non-HUD validated.* �(� %^ End Homelessnes
11
Slide #4
TOTAL HOUSEHOLDS
PIT COUNT - 01 .27.2025
Total Households
Adults Only
= 115
Adult with
Children = 7
Adults wl Children •Adult Only
N
Orange County
Partnership to
*PIT Data presented here is locally confirmed,but non-HUD validated*Wi7_
End _I
End
Slide #5
LOCATION 14
PIT COUNT - 01 .27.2025
Location Emergency
Shelter=54
Families-7
households/
21 individuals
• Adult Only-
33 individuals
• Transitional
Housing=47
•Emergency Shelter Transitional Housing •Unsheltered . Unsheltered=48
J Orange County
Partnership to
*PIT Data presented here is locally confirmed,but non-HUD validated* �[ ^ End Homelessnes
12
Slide#6
AGE
PIT COUNT - 01 .27.2025
Age Less than 18=14 individuals
18-24=12 individuals
25-34=22 individuals
35-44=27 individuals
45-54=28 individuals
'lip 55-64=35 individuals
•<I8 I8-24 •25-34 •35-44 •45-54 •55-64 •65, 65+=11 individuals
.J Orange County
Partnership to
*PIT Data presented here is locally confirmed,but non-HUD validated* �( ^ End Homelessnes
Danielle DeCaprio, OCPEH Manager, said over 50% of those counted are over age 45.
Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked a question about slide #3. She asked if the people
counted this year are different than those last year.
Danielle DeCaprio said the surveys are completed anonymously, so they would only be
able to tell that about sheltered individuals by looking at shelter records, not unsheltered.
Slide #7
RACE
PIT COUNT - 01 .27.2025
3%
Race Black—94
Hispanic/Latinx—4
Pacific Islander— I
I% Pacific Islander/Hispanic/Latinx— I
1%
3% 11 White—39
•Black •Hispanid Latinx
White/HispaniclLatinx—4
•Pacific Islander •Pacific Islander/HispaniclLatinx
•White •WhitelHispanic/Latinx
Multiple(not Hispanic)—6
-Multiple(not Hispanic)
Orange County
Partnership to
*PIT Data presented here is locally confirmed,but non-HUD validated.* �[ ^ End Homelessnes
13
Slide#8
GENDER
PIT COUNT - 01 .27.2025
Gender
1%
1 Women=43
Men=105
Transgender= 1
70%
•Women Men •Transgender
.J Orange County
*PIT Data presented here is locally confirmed* Partnership to
*HUD has removed the gender from federally submission this year.* End Homelessnes
Slide #9
UNSHELTERED COUNT
PIT COUNT - 01 .27.2025 _Pq
60
s0 48
40 36
33
30
30
20
10
10 . 0
2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
■Unsheltered
J Orange County
Partnership to
"Dataented here is locally confirmed,but non-HUD validated* J(' ^ End Homelessnes
Chair Bedford asked if the demographic breakdown of those sheltered vs. unsheltered.
Danielle DeCaprio said that she can get that information.
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Slide#10
SHELTERED COUNT
PIT COUNT - 01 .27 .2025
160
140
140
120 115
105 103 101
100 9D
80
60
40
20
0
2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
■Sheltered Count
. J Orange County
Partnership to
*PIT Data presented here is locally confirmed,but non-HUD validated* �P ^ End Homelessnes
Commissioner McKee noted that the sheltered count goes down almost identically to the
unsheltered count increase. He said that it makes him wonder if the individuals that were once
sheltered are now unsheltered.
Danielle DeCaprio said that her guess is that they are not correlated because IFC's home
start shelter has units rather than persons. She said that there may be different numbers of people
in each room depending on the evening and that accounts for those differences.
Slide #11
SPECIAL POPULATION: CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS
PIT COUNT - 01 .27 .2025
35 33 33
30 27 28 2025
25
20 15 Families with
15 13 Children = 8
10
5 ` Adults only = 20
2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
■Chronic Homelessness(individuals)
.� J Orange County
Partnership to
W-PITDataOherecally confirmed,but non-HUD validated* End Homelessnes
15
Chair Bedford asked for the definition of chronic homelessness.
Danielle DeCaprio said someone that has a disability and an accumulation of a year's
worth of homelessness within the last three-year period. She noted that disability includes
substance abuse as well as mental and physical disabilities.
Slide#12
oil
SPECIAL POPULATION : FAMILIES
PIT COUNT - 01 .27.2025
14
12
12
10 9
8
8
6 5
4 3
■ ■
2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Families with Children(Households) 41
jjjj7- Orange County
ership to
*PIT Data presented here is locally confirmed,but non-HUD validated* Homelessnes
Slide #13
SPECIAL POPULATIONS: VETERANS
PIT COUNT - 01 .27.2025 Pq
14
12
12
10
10 9
8
6 5
4 3
2 ■ ■
0
2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
■Veterans
�. �} Orange County
Partnership to
*PIT Data presented here is locally confirmed,but non-HUD validated* �[- ^ End Homelessnes
16
Blake Rosser said staff has been in touch with Durham VA about the increase in Veteran
homelessness and connecting them with HUD VASH Vouchers.
Slide #14
SPECIAL POPULATIONS: OTHER
PIT COUNT - 01 .27.2025
60 55
50
40
30
20 15
10
10 4
0
Serious MH DO Substance Use DO HIV(AIDS Domestic Violence
Survivors
Special Pop:Other
.� J Orange County
Partnership to
*PIT Data presented here is locally confirmed,but non-HUD validated.* J� ^ End Homelessnes
Chair Bedford asked if the Compass Center grant that the county took over has expired.
Danielle DeCaprio said that is still active.
Blake Rosser said there are currently 6 families housed.
Blake Rosser said it took until the end of April to compile the data from the PIT count, so
it will be May/June before staff can present this information annually.
Commissioner Carter said she appreciates the information and is interested t know how
the information helps formulate a plan of action.
Blake Rosser said this is more about what the numbers tell HUD so then the Partnership
is eligible for grant money.
Danielle DeCaprio said there are multiple reporting data points that have to go to HUD.
She said that she feels that the PIT count is the most inaccurate. She said they also present a
longitudinal study analysis (LSA) at the end of the year and that shows what has happened over
the year. She said that study is used to help formulate plans. She said there are three or four
required reporting periods.
Commissioner Fowler said that she had referred a parent to the helpline, and they let her
know they called but that they could not be helped until August. She asked how she should
respond to that.
Blake Rosser said it depends on the program they need assistance for. He said that since
it is August, they might be talking about the longtime homeowner assistance program.
Commissioner Fowler said that it was for someone that does not have a home.
Blake Rosser said that he is unsure of the details of the call or why they were told that. He
asked Commissioner Fowler to forward that person directly to him so he could look into this.
Danielle DeCaprio said that the person could possibly be in a lease seeking emergency
housing assistance and the requirement is that they have to be within two weeks of eviction so it
may be what they were calling about.
17
Commissioner Fowler said this is a person that is living in a shelter in Raleigh.
Danielle DeCaprio said they would need to go through coordinated entry in Raleigh.
Blake Rosser said it could be that they know they will be in the shelter until August and if
they are considered housed, they would not be able to perform a coordinated entry interview with
them until they are two weeks away from being unhoused and that is due to federal regulations.
Slide #15
MONTHLY REPORT - HOUSING HELPLINE
Jul-24 Aug- Sep- Oct- Nov- Dec- Jan- Feb- Mar- Apr- Total Percentage
24 24 24 24 24 25 25 25 25
Total Coordinated Entry 54 27 36 36 33 53 34 28 29 21 351
Conducted
Phone 26 14 14 21 20 20 16 11 6 12 160 46%
In-person 28 13 22 15 13 33 18 17 23 9 191 54%
Total Number of Households 54 27 37 36 33 53 34 28 19 21 342
Total Number of Families 11 8 10 7 5 14 4 4 3 4 70 20%
Total Number of Adult Only 43 19 27 29 28 39 29 24 26 17 281 82%
Total Contacts 627 541 484 578 379 446 454 316 337 372 4534
Orange County
Partnership to
Jr �^ End Homelessnes
Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked for clarification on the two weeks away from eviction
requirement for emergency housing assistance.
Danielle DeCaprio said she misspoke about that.
Blake Rosser said that the two weeks is for coordinated entry interviews and that evictions
summons is not required anymore for emergency housing assistance and it would not be a
program that would cause a delay until August.
Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked how many staff are assigned to the Helpline.
Blake Rosser said there are 3 full-time CE employees and one coordinator that oversees
the program.
Danielle DeCaprio said the in-person opportunity has expanded and people could apply
in-person every day at Southern Human Services and now on Wednesdays at Mayo St. in
Hillsborough.
18
Slide #16
MONTHLY REPORT - SOHRAD
Jul-24 Aug-24 Sep-24 Oct-24 Nov-24 Oeo-24 Jan-25 Feb-25 Mar-25 Apr-25Total
Number of Persons Enrolled 28 21 16 11 14 16 19 32 32 31
Of those enrolled,Number of Persons Engaged 20 16 13 11 11 12 12 17 18 16
Tota l House holds 22 16 14 15 13 15 18 30 31 30
Adult Only 20 15 14 15 13 15 18 30 31 30
Families 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Current Living Situations
Homeless 16 13 11 11 9 11 1 24 26 25
Institutional 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Temporary 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 3 3 3
Permanent 3 2 2 2 2 2 $ 3 2 2
Unknown 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1
Total persons exiting to positive housing destination 5 3 3 3 1 1 0 6 2 0 25
Income
No 10 9 9 10 8 9 10 16 11 13 116
Yes 12 8 6 6 0 6 0 1 1 12 52
Unknown 2 1 0 0 5 0 6 14 14 1 45
Percent.awith Income 50% 44% 40% 38% 0% 40% 0% 3% 3% 39% 24%
Orange CuulIty
Partnership to
Jf ^ End Homelessnes
Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked what the goal was for housing placement.
Danielle DeCaprio said the goals are being created now. She said that the positive
outcome during the goal setting is getting people off of the street. She said that only street
outreach considers shelter a positive outcome.
Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked what institutional means.
Blake Rosser said people coming from hospitalization or incarceration.
Danielle DeCaprio said the Outreach Team will go into jails and conduct CEs if they know
they are going to be released into homelessness.
Slide #17
MONTHLY REPORT - SOHRAD
Services Provided July August September October November December January February March April TOTAL
Comprehensive Clinical Assessments Completed 1 2 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 6
Assistance with Completing Housing Applications 1 2 1 1 3 0 3 0 2 1 14
Deflections from arrests-Example:businesses contacting Team, 14 4 5 10 4 6 10 7 a 6 74
instead of police
Diversion Placement/Housing-Connectionstotreatment,bridge 2 1 0 0 1 2 1 0 0 0 7
housing
Survival Supplies-4 of person provided to 13 33 12 8 9 25 18 14 14 13 159
Harm Reduction-Hof contacts:narcan,PORTteam 0 0 0 1 0 3 3 0 2 2 11
#of Outreach to Jail 4 2 1 0 1 2 0 0 2 1 13
Train sportation assists nce 4 3 1 4 2 4 3 2 6 3 32
Co-response 3 4 3 2 0 2 4 2 1 5 26
�. rJ Orange County
Partnership to
Jf ^ End Homelessnes
19
Blake Rosser indicated that co-responses occur with Chapel Hill's Crisis Team.
Commissioner Carter asked about the survival supplies.
Danielle DeCaprio said tents, snack bags, warm clothes, hygiene bags, or anything they
might need. She said they always try to find the resource.
Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked how those things are kept or offered.
Danielle DeCaprio said the team brings those supplies out to those in the community
directly.
Commissioner Carter asked how many of those getting the survival supplies are routed
into shelter.
Danielle DeCaprio said part of the coordinated entry process is to ask if they want to be
put on the waitlist for the shelter and are considered as beds become available.
Slide #18
MONTHLY REPORT - SOAR
Jul-24 Aug-24 Sep-24 Oct-24 Nov-24 Dec-24 Jan-25 Feb-25 Mar-25 Apr-25 TOTAL
New Referrals To SOAR 2 0 1 1 2 3 0 3 6 2 20
Number of Cases that OCisAuth Rep)duplicated) 1 1 1 3 3 3 3 5 1 3 24
Newly assigned cases as Auth Rep 1 0 1 2 1 0 1 2 1 1 10
Number of Cases OC Provided Informal Support 0 1 1 1 2 0 1 0 2 1 9
Number of Cases Submitted for the First Time 1 0 0 2 0 2 2 0 2 0 9
Number of Successful Outcomes
As Authorized Representative 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
As Informal Support 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 4
n Orange County
Partnership to
Jf ^ End Homelessnes
Blake Rosser said this program works to ensure people are able to access SSI/SSDI
benefits. He said this is a federally sponsored program.
Commissioner Greene asked if SOAR case workers could be placed in UNC Hospitals
again.
Danielle DeCaprio said there is an ongoing discussion. She said that they plan to
present to the community monthly and have presented to UNC Family Medicine Clinicians and
are working to schedule one with UNC Behavioral Health Specialists.
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Slide #19
MONTHLY REPORT - HOUSING ACCESS
JuL-24 Aug-24 Sep-24 Oct-24 Nov-24 Dec-24 Jan-25 Feb-25 Mar-25 Apr-25 Total
Landlords Engaged through Outreach 6 1 5 4 3 1 8 3 4 2 37
Number of Leases Signed* 21 14 25 17 14 6 20 19 6 6 148
HCV 21 14 25 17 14 6 20 19 6 6 148
Number of New Landlords Enrolled* 2 3 4 4 4 1 0 3 3 1 25
HCV 2 3 4 4 4 1 0 3 3 1 25
LIP's Processed 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 0 2 1 14
Risk Mitigation Processed 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 16
Units Added to Master Housing List 7 9 9 4 4 9 11 12 6 23 94
Commmunity Meetings Facilitated 3 0 0 2 1 0 1 0 0 0 7
Landlord Engagement Roundtable 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 3
Community and Provider Trainings 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 3
Client Focused Trainings 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
.� J Orange County
Partnership to
Jf ^ End Homelessness
Blake Rosser said the housing access coordinator is funded through the Partnership and
has been a position for four years. He said the principal purpose is to engage with rental owners.
He said there has not been good output data but that Danielle DeCaprio is working hard to correct
that. He said they are surveying eight different landlords and they will have information to present.
He said they are going to add rapid rehousing data to the information as well.
Chair Bedford asked who would be considered a provider.
Blake Rosser said IFC, Community Empowerment Fund, those entities that attend the
meetings as a service provider.
21
Slide#20
NEXT STEPS
• Will continue to report program level data monthly
• Housing Helpline-Coordinated Entry
• SOHRAD
• SOAR
• Rapid Rehousing(to be included starting June 2025)
• Housing Access
• Will also share high level overview of Continuum of Care's
Data Quality Reports quarterly
Questions: Danielle DeCaprio J� Ordnge County
OCPEH Manager Partnership to
ddecaprio@orangecountync.gov Jl End Homelessnes
Chair Bedford asked if the three towns are fully funding the Partnership.
Blake Rosser said they are waiting until the end of the week to know for sure after
municipal budgets are adopted.
8. Consent Agenda
• Removal of Any Items from Consent Agenda
• Approval of Remaining Consent Agenda
• Discussion and Approval of the Items Removed from the Consent Agenda
A motion was made by Vice-Chair Hamilton, seconded by Commissioner Fowler, to
approve the consent agenda.
Commissioner Carter asked about the terms of the closing documents for the Crisis
Diversion Facility and what will be completed after closing.
Travis Myren said the amendment on the consent agenda allows the County to close at
the end of the month without having all the easements completed. He said that once more
information is gathered on where the utilities will be going and where the cross-access easements
are needed, those items will be finalized later.
Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked if it has been customary to have items left to complete
after closing on a property, like the easements.
Chair Bedford said the county does not build a lot so it is hard to answer, but it is not
unusual in general construction.
Travis Myren said there are no construction renderings, so there is no way to know where
the easements would go.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
22
a. Minutes
The Board approved the draft minutes for the April 22, 2025, April 29, 2025, and May 6, 2025
BOCC Meetings as submitted by the Clerk to the Board.
b. Motor Vehicle Property Tax Release/Refund
The Board adopted a resolution to release a motor vehicle property tax value for one (1)
taxpayer with a total of one (1) bill that will result in a reduction of revenue.
c. Changes in BOCC Meeting Schedule for 2025
The Board approved changes to the Board of Commissioners' meeting calendar for 2025.
d. Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget Amendment #11
The Board approved budget, grant, and capital project ordinance amendments for Fiscal Year
2024-25.
e. Approval of the Visitors Bureau's FY 2025-26 Marketing Agreement with Clean, Inc.
The Board approved a services agreement for tourism marketing and advertising with Clean,
Inc. for FY 2025-26.
f. Approval of the Visitors Bureau's FY 2025-26 Agreement with Media Two Interactive,
LLC
The Board approved a services agreement for a digital media leisure campaign with Media Two
Interactive, LLC for FY 2025-26.
g. Approval of Acquisition of ElectionWare 5.2.4.0 Election Management Software
The Board approved the acquisition of ElectionWare 5.2.4.0 Election Management Software
from Election Systems & Software, LLC (ES&S), in accordance with North Carolina General
Statute § 163-165.8 and as recommended by the Orange County Board of Elections.
h. Contract Renewal with OE Enterprises for Courier Services for FY 2025-26
The Board approved a contract renewal with OE Enterprises for courier services.
i. Contract Renewal with SunStates Security for Eno River Parking Deck Security
Services for FY 2025-26
The Board approved a contract renewal with SunStates Security for security guard services at
the Eno River Parking Deck.
j. Contract Renewal with Siemens for HVAC Controls and Building Automation Services
for FY 2025-26
The Board approved a contract renewal with Siemens for HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air
Conditioning) controls and building automation services.
k. JCPC Certification and County Plan for FY 2025-2026
The Board approved the Orange County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (JCPC) Certification
and County Plan for FY 2025-2026.
I. Approval of Resolution Conveying a Surplus Vehicle to Grow Your World
The Board approved a resolution authorizing the County Manager to convey a surplus County
vehicle to Grow Your World, a local nonprofit organization.
m. Amendment to the Purchase and Sale Agreement for Property for the Crisis Diversion
Facility
The Board approved an amendment to the Purchase and Sale Agreement to purchase property
for the Crisis Diversion Facility and authorized the County Manager to sign the amendment
upon final review by the County Attorney.
n. Approval of North Carolina Local Government Commission Audit Contract with
Mauldin & Jenkins, LLC
The Board:
1) Authorized a contract with Mauldin & Jenkins, LLC to perform full FY 2025 audit services
which includes financial, single audits and financial statement preparation; and
2) Authorized the Chair and Finance Officer to sign the North Carolina Local Government
Commission audit contract on behalf of the BOCC pending staff and attorney review.
23
o. Approval of HOME 2025-29 Consolidated Plan
The Board approved the 2025-29 HOME Consolidated Plan, based on the recommendation of
the Local Government Affordable Housing Collaborative.
p. Approval of HOME 2025 Annual Action Plan (AAP)
The Board approved the HOME 2025 Annual Action Plan (AAP).
q. Boards and Commissions —Appointments
The Board approved the Boards and Commissions appointments as reviewed and discussed
during the May 29, 2025 Work Session.
9. County Manager's Report
Travis Myren said staff do not believe an excessive heat warning will be triggered, which
would require the opening of cooling shelters under the Emergency Operations Plan. However,
he said hot weather resources are available on the county website, which includes public buildings
that can be used as cooling shelters.
10. County Attorney's Report
John Roberts said the state legislature is moving bills rapidly through committee. He said
an anti-DEI bill is up for discussion tomorrow. He said it has substantial negative repercussions
for local governments. He said what the county has done to address presidential executive orders
should mean there will be little direct impact to Orange County if this bill passes. He said he will
keep the Board updated.
11. *Appointments
None.
12. Information Items
• June 3, 2025 BOCC Meeting Follow-up Actions List
• Tax Assessor's Report - Release Refunds under $100
• Memorandum - Recognition of County Employee Retirements from April 1, 2025,
through June 30, 2025
• Memorandum - Update on Manager's Work Group to Address Low-Barrier Housing
Needs and Opportunities
13. Closed Session
None.
Adjournment
A motion was made by Commissioner Fowler, seconded by Commissioner Greene, to
adjourn the meeting at 8:38 p.m.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
Jamezetta Bedford, Chair
Recorded by Tara May, Deputy Clerk to the Board
Submitted for approval by Laura Jensen, Clerk to the Board