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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 09-16-2025; 8-i - Approval of the Establishment, Composition, Role and Charge for the Tax Assessment Work Group and Approval of Commissioner Appointments to the Work Group 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: September 16, 2025 Action Agenda Item No. 8-i SUBJECT: Approval of the Establishment, Composition, Role and Charge for the Tax Assessment Work Group and Approval of Commissioner Appointments to the Work Group DEPARTMENT: County Manager ATTACHMENTS: INFORMATION CONTACT: Travis Myren, 919-245-2308 PURPOSE: To: 1) Approve the establishment, composition, role and charge for the Tax Assessment Work Group; and 2) Approve the appointment of three (3) members of the Board of Commissioners to serve on the Work Group. BACKGROUND: In June 2025, the County Manager recommended the creation of a Tax Assessment Work Group to study and make recommendations to improve and ensure the fairness, accuracy, and consistency of the tax assessment process. At its August 26, 2025 Business meeting, the Board of Commissioners reviewed and discussed the Work Group and its composition, role and charge. The County will select a consultant through a request for proposal process to work with the Work Group. The consultant will also be asked to recommend the organizational capacity, staffing, and structure required to implement its recommendations. The role of the Work Group is to review the scope of services for consulting services, participate in vendor selection, and provide feedback to the consultant at milestone stages of the project. The Work Group will be comprised of the following members. • Three Commissioners • Representative from the Orange County • County Manager Property Tax Justice Coalition • Tax Administrator • Non-Profit Housing Provider • Budget Director • Two (2) Community Representatives from • Director of Civil Rights and Civic Life District 1 • Community Relations Director • Two (2) Community Representatives from • Representative from the North Carolina District 2 Housing Coalition 2 Community representatives will be selected through an application process. The Clerk to the Board's Office began soliciting applications from the public in late August, with applications from community members due by September 30, 2025. As noted at the August 26, 2025 Business meeting, the Board intends to make community member appointments at its October 7, 2025 Business meeting. In order for the Work Group to begin its role, the Board must formally establish the Group, approve the role and charge of the Work Group and formally appoint the Commissioner representatives. • Charge The charge of the Tax Assessment Work Group is to evaluate the policies, processes, and procedures used by the Orange County Tax Office to assess property values and communicate to the public. The Work Group will provide feedback and input to a consultant retained by the County to make recommendations on changes and enhancements to the tax assessment process that will improve and ensure the accuracy and fairness of property assessments. • Commissioner Members The Board discussed appointing Commissioner Phyllis Portie-Ascott, Commissioner Marilyn Carter, and Commissioner Amy Fowler to the Work Group, with leadership of the Work Group and its meetings to be determined by the three (3) Commissioner representatives. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The cost to hire a consultant is not known at this time. ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: This item supports all of the goals and objectives of the Strategic Plan as reliable and trusted tax values are fundamental in supporting all operations of County government. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board: 1) Approve the establishment, composition, role and charge for the Tax Assessment Work Group as specified in this abstract; and 2) Approve the appointment of Commissioner Phyllis Portie-Ascott, Commissioner Marilyn Carter, and Commissioner Amy Fowler as Commissioner representatives on the Work Group, with leadership of the Work Group and its meetings to be determined by the three (3) Commissioner representatives.