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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 12-01-2025-Business Meeting 1 APPROVED 1120/26 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BUSINESS MEETING December 1, 2025 7:00 p.m. The Orange County Board of Commissioners met for a Business Meeting on Monday, December 1, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. at the Whitted Human Services Center in Hillsborough, NC. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Jean Hamilton, Vice-Chair Amy Fowler, and Commissioners Jamezetta Bedford, Marilyn Carter, Sally Greene, Earl McKee, and Phyllis Portie- Ascott COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: None. COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT: John Roberts COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Travis Myren, Deputy County Manager Caitlin Fenhagen, 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. Board Organization a. Election of Board of Commissioners' Chair and Vice-Chair Vote for Chair of the Board of Commissioners: 7 votes cast for Jean Hamilton (Commissioner Bedford, Commissioner Carter, Commissioner Fowler, Commissioner Greene, Commissioner Hamilton, Commissioner McKee, and Commissioner Portie-Ascott) Jean Hamilton was elected Chair of the Board of Commissioners. Vote for Vice-Chair of the Board of Commissioners: 7 votes cast for Amy Fowler (Commissioner Bedford, Commissioner Carter, Commissioner Fowler, Commissioner Greene, Commissioner Hamilton, Commissioner McKee, and Commissioner Portie-Ascott) Amy Fowler was elected the Vice-Chair of the Board of Commissioners. Commissioner Portie-Ascott thanked Commissioner Bedford for her support and guidance. Vice-Chair Fowler seconded Commissioner Portie-Ascott's comments. Chair Hamilton encouraged everyone to re-read the rules of procedure and the code of ethics. She said the role of the chair is to facilitate the meetings, and to have productive and efficient meetings. She said the role is also to act as a spokesperson and to be responsible for signing many documents. She said she is looking forward to the role. b. Designation of Voting Delegates and Alternates for all NCACC and NACo Meetings for Calendar Year December 1, 2025-2026 Commissioner Carter was nominated by Commissioner Bedford to serve as the voting delegate for NACo. The Commissioners agreed by consensus. 2 Commissioner Portie-Ascott volunteered to serve as the voting delegate for NCACC. The Commissioners agreed by consensus. Commissioner Portie-Ascott was nominated by Commissioner Bedford to serve as the alternate voting delegate for NACo. The Commissioners agreed by consensus. Commissioner McKee volunteered to serve as the alternate voting delegate for NCACC. The Commissioners agreed by consensus. 1. Additions or Changes to the Agenda Chair Hamilton read the public charge. 2. Public Comments (Limited to One Hour) a. Matters not on the Printed Agenda Adam Beeman said he is running for the at-large seat on Board of County Commissioners. He said the county needed to expand access to wastewater treatment. He said that historically, the county has pushed people towards private wells and septic systems. He said he is hearing more about community septic in areas without central sewer. He said that is going in the wrong direction. He said wastewater isn't just pipes and pumps, but is a public health long-term cost. He said central systems, such as OWASA, Hillsborough, and Mebane are investing in additional capacity. He said communities around the county are making room for more users. He said businesses look for sewer availability and clear boundaries before investing. He said when businesses see boundaries tightening, like in Hillsborough, they look elsewhere and take their property taxes and jobs, which does nothing to help the Orange County homeowner with an over- growing tax bill. He said when we haven't planned our wastewater system well, we are choosing to fund everything off the backs of homeowners. He said leaning on private and community septic and wells looks flexible and cheap on paper. He said community systems are complex to operate, easy to undermaintain, and when they fail, they fail with big backups, contamination, emergency contracts, and pressure on the Board to run central sewer. He gave an example of the Piney Mountain situation in 1987. He asked the Board to make central wastewater the backbone of the county's growth strategy. He asked the Board to align land use, service boundaries, and capital spending so growth supports affordability, public health, and a stronger commercial tax base. 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 Greene said there are upcoming events this weekend to recognize Abolition Day. She said there is an event on December 5 at UNC's Kenan Theater with Mike Wiley. She said the event is free, but registration is required on the Chapel Hill Public Library website. She said on December 6, there is an event at the Century Center in Carrboro featuring Justice Anita Earls and Martha S. Jones, a historian from Johns Hopkins University. She said there will also be two panel discussions with eight local legal historians. She said also on December 6 at 6:00 p.m. at Flyleaf Books Professor Jones will talk about her memoir The Trouble with Color and Commissioner Greene will participate in the conversation. She said on December 10, a documentary called "Thirteenth," which is about the prison industrial complex and how it furthers the same strategies of incarceration against black people that has been used since before the 13th amendment. She said it is at the Seymour Center at 5:00 p.m. Commissioner Portie-Ascott petitioned for the Board of Health memorandum included in the Information Items to be presented to the Board at their first business meeting in January. She said she enjoyed the Cedar Grove community Thanksgiving luncheon. She said there is fear in the community, and she hears it from people who are concerned about high taxes, immigrant 3 neighbors, and Medicaid rate cuts, and all of this on top of the lack of affordable housing for people making less than $74,000 a year. She said that the Board should stay focused on the work that only the Board can do. She requested that the Board consider whether their presence on unmandated boards is wise. She proposed taking a temporary hiatus from the ABC Board, Fire Chiefs Association, JCPC, Orange Care Coalition, Piedmont Food Processing Center, Solid Waste Advisory, Chapel Hill Chamber, and the Visitors Bureau. She said the Board should remain focused on the most pressing policy challenges. Commissioner Carter extended congratulations to Chair Hamilton and thanked Commissioner Bedford for her service. She asked that with the challenges facing the community, she asked that the Board consider how community members with the experience and skillsets can support boards and commissions where a commissioner is not required. Chair Hamilton said she looked forward to working with Vice-Chair Fowler. She said on November 18, the Board approved an Abolition Day proclamation. She encouraged everyone to reflect on Abolition Day and the values and progress that has defined the United States since then. She said she attended the agricultural breakfast. She said she appreciated the half day retreat on conservation subdivisions. She thanked the staff who supported residents using cold weather cots in the past week. Vice-Chair Fowler said she attended a Board of Health meeting where they reviewed client satisfaction in the different departments. She said that overall, satisfaction was high. She said there is one vacancy on the Board of Health. She said they approved a proclamation in October regarding access to affordable housing and its impacts on health. She said the proclamation encouraged policy changes to increase access to affordable housing. She said she attended a safety summit at Chapel Hill Public Library on November 20 and hear a presentation on the need for safe and accessible transportation. She said the group described as "silent suffering" was particularly highlighted. She said the silent suffering are community members that the Board might not hear from and that the presented encouraged remembering those individuals in their service and decision making. She said the next day the tax work group will receive a virtual presentation from Wake County on how they've address vertical equity and tax revaluations. She said they will meet on Friday in-person to review RFP responses. She said the meeting on Friday would be in-person. She thanked the Board for their support and said that all the commissioners provide different and valuable perspectives. Commissioner Bedford thanked everyone for their kind words. She said she filed for re- election. Commissioner McKee said he also filed for re-election. He said he attended the Thanksgiving luncheon at Cedar Grove. He petitioned for a work session discussion on the possibilities and probabilities for expanding the Homestead Exemption. He described the difficulties people face as they age and their income drops, and he mentioned some ideas that would help alleviate their tax burden. He said getting it through the state legislature would be difficult, but he wanted to discuss if there is a path forward. 4. Proclamations/ Resolutions/ Special Presentations a. OCPEH Homeless Data and Annual Report The Board received an overview of the work of the Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness (OCPEH), including updated system level data about homelessness in Orange County submitted to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) earlier this year, as well as obstacles and successes. BACKGROUND: The Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness (OCPEH) was created in 2008 to coordinate funding and activities to end homelessness in Orange County. OCPEH is jointly funded by Orange County(39.5%)and the Towns of Carrboro(14.3%), Chapel Hill (39.7%), and Hillsborough (6.5%). 4 Overview FY 2024-25 saw a series of transitions as OCPEH experienced new leadership, personnel, and sites of operation with the Cold Weather Shelter. Community partners have experienced reductions in funding and donations, resulting in diminished_program capacity at a time when community need remains high. This period has also highlighted the importance of local and regional collaboration to address the rise of homelessness. The Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness (OCPEH) uses a variety of funding sources to support community-level planning, coordination and evaluation efforts. Funders include the federal and local government, foundations, and private partners. Challenges Due to the current federal administration, there is a serious risk that the HUD Continuum of Care (CoC) grant will be partially cut. The recently released Continuum of Care Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) has mandated cuts to "permanent" housing of 70%, as well as only guaranteeing 30% of annual renewal funding. Permanent housing includes both the Interfaith Council's Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) program as well as OCPEH's Rapid Rehousing (RRH) program, and both agencies are eagerly awaiting clarification on the NOFO in order to determine how to shift application requests in order to maximize possible funding. The programs and positions currently funded by CoC Grants are: o PSH (IFC, 79% of funding) o RRH (OCPEH, 64% of funding) o Coordinated Entry/Housing Helpline (OCPEH, 80% of funding) o OCPEH Coordinator position (20% of funding) Successes As a small Continuum of Care, OCPEH expanded its impact by partnering with other local homeless systems on federal funding opportunities. County government has increased its commitment to address system needs and prioritized funding for two (2) main drivers of inequity in the current system by investing in Permanent Supportive Housing expansion and funding for Bridge Housing. OCPEH has also broadened partnerships with the community on various efforts: • with the faith community through last winter's Cold Weather Shelter(housed at University Baptist Church in Chapel Hill); • with many community partners and Alliance Health; • with a pop-up event in coordination with UNC Health for a newly-awarded Street Medicine grant; and • with the Town of Chapel Hill for use of its former police station for this year's Cold Weather Shelter. The Road Ahead Much of the future of homelessness programs in Orange County will be determined in the coming months after the results of the CoC grant. Federal grants make up over one-third of homelessness funding in the County, so any loss would be significant. OCPEH continues to work with regional partners to identify and recruit providers to Orange County to address system gaps. One such effort is underway with the potential use of 2700 Homestead Road in Chapel Hill for next winter's Cold Weather Shelter, and for potential future use as an Integrated Day Center along the lines of Raleigh's "Oak City Cares." 5 OCPEH has been increasing engagement with people with direct knowledge of the local homeless system in system design, planning, and assessment, and will continue this focus in the year to come. This includes the recently initiated Technical Assistance through the local HUD office, as well as a collaborative Youth Homeless Systems Initiative grant coordinated by the Central Pines Regional Council. Danielle Decaprio, OCPEH Manager, made the following presentation: Slide #1 ORANGE COUNTY HOMELESSNESS DATA Danielle DeCaprio,LCSW OCPEH Homeless Program Manager 12.1.2025 CC)Faripu COO ILY 1v Partnership to � ^ End Homelessness Slide #2 SYSTEM PERFORMANCE MEASURES (SPM) • SPM are an overview of the entire Continuum of Care • Uses data from Homeless Management Information System(HMIS) Includes the HUD funded agencies • Partnership to End Homelessness • Housing Helpline-Coordinated Entry(CE) • SOHRAD-Street Outreach(SO) • Rapid Rehousing-RRH(not includingTBRA) • Inter-Faith Council for Social Service • HomeStart-Emergency Shelter(ES) • Cold Weather Cots(men,women)-Emergency Shelter(ES) • Community House-Transitional Housing(TH) Permanent Supportive Housing(PSH) Partriersh p to End Hornelessnes Commissioner Bedford asked if some people could be served by multiple programs. She asked if, in the next slide, numbers are unduplicated. Danielle Decaprio said yes to both questions. 6 Slide#3 IF SYSTEM PERFORMANCE MEASURES FY24-25 People Served people served-519 individuals ■Shelter-211 ■Transitional housing-129 •Rapid Rehousing-109 •Shelter -Street Outreach-36 •Transitional Housing •Rapid Rehousing ■permanent Su pportive Housing-34 •Street Outreach ■Permanent Supportive Housing Orange County Partnership to Jr ^ End Homelessnes Slide#4 SYSTEM PERFORMANCE MEASURES FY24-25 Positive Outcomes Successful Placement from Street Outreach and Successful Placement in or Retention of Permanent Housing: 172 individuals ■From Street Outreach=23 -From ES,TH,&RRH=120 -Permanent Supportive Housing= 29 •From Street Outreach •From ES,TH,RRH •From PSH 4d J( Orange County n-N,t,- ndividuals served,346 exited, 172 exited positively(50%) J �v1 Partnership to f End Homelessnes Commissioner Carter asked if the number of people served increased. Danielle Decaprio said they served 519 individuals in 2025 and in 2024 they served 525. Slide #5 SYSTEM PERFORMANCE MEASURES FY24-25 Length of Time(LOT)Persons Remain Homeless Change in the average and median length of time persons are homeless in ES, and TH projects -Current FY Universe=279 persons -Current FY Average LOT Experiencing Homelessness= 143 days Average:Total days divided by the total persons homeless during the reporting period -Current FY Median LOT Experiencing Homelessness=114 days o Orange County Partnership to �l End Homelessnes Slide #6 SYSTEM PERFORMANCE MEASURES FY24-25 7M Returns to Homelessness from Permanent Housing Total Number of Persons who Number Number Number Exited to Returning to Percentage of Returning to Percentage of Returning to Percentage of Number of Percentage of Permanent HomeLessness Returns in Less Homelessness Returns from 6 Homelessness Returns from 13 Returns in 2 Returns in 2 Housing in Less than 6 than 6 Months from 6 to 12 to 12 Months from 13 to 24 to 24 Months Years Years Destination(2 Months Months Months Years Prior) Exitfrom SO 1 38 1 2.63% 1 0 0.00% 1 2.63% 1 2 5.26% Exit from ES 40 0 0.00% 0 0.00% 1 2.50% 1 2.50% Exitfrom TH 21 2 9.52% 0 0.00% 2 9.52% 4 19.05% Exit from PH 36 3 8.33% 0 0.00% 0 0.00% 3 8.33% TOTAL 135 Total Returns To 6 4.44% 0 0.00% 4 2.96% 10 7.41% Homelessness J Orange County Partnership to Jr ^ End Homelessnes Commissioner McKee asked if there are people moving into the county that offset the reductions made in the number of unhoused people. Danielle Decaprio said yes, and she would expand on that in the next slide. Commissioner McKee asked if a return to homelessness is over a one-or two-year period. He asked what that looks like further out than two years. 8 Danielle Decaprio said that is how HUD breaks down the figures. She said she would get the data and review. Commissioner McKee said there seems to be a cycle that is difficult to break. Danielle Decaprio said she thinks it has to do with vacancies and affordable housing as well as the reduction of funding from the federal government. She said they were just informed that they can only count on 30% of their current funding level, whereas in the past they could rely on receiving 90%. Slide #7 SYSTEM PERFORMANCE MEASURES FY24-25 Number of Persons who Become Homeless for the First Time Homeless Persons Change in the number of persons entering ES,TH,and PH projects with no prior enrollments in HMIS • Universe:Persons during the reporting period = 281 • Count of those who were designated homeless within past 24 months=71 • Count of those who did not have entries in the previous 24 months.(i.e.number of persons experiencing homelessness for Within Past 24 months Not Within Past 24 Months the first time) =210 ii �r Orange County Partnership to End Homelessnes Danielle Decaprio said HUD defines first time homeless as an individual who had not appeared in the system for the previous two years. 9 Slide #8 PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM LEVEL DATA • In Spring of 2025,the Partnership began tracking monthly program level data. • Since then,this data is shared with the Partnership's Leadership Team monthly and reported out quarterly. • This tracking continues to evolve based on feedback from the Leadership Team. • *Note- This report will share FY24-25 data and 95t Qtr FY25-26.Since this tracking started mid-year,we do not have full year data for all programs. ,} Orange County Partnership to �1 End Homelessnes Slide #9 COORDINATED ENTRY FY24-25 Method Coordinated Entries Conducted=437 • Phone=203 46% • In-person=234 54% Number of Initial Contacts=Over 5,200 Phone In-person J Orange County Partnership to ff�i ^ End Homelessnes 10 Slide#10 COORDINATED ENTRY 1ST QTR FY25-26 Method Coordinated Entries Conducted= 136 • Phone=73 46% • In-person=63 54% Number of Initial Contacts=Close to 1,300 Phone In-person W� Orange County Partnership to End Homelessnes Slide#11 STREET OUTREACH, HARM REDUCTION AND DEFLECTION (SOHRAD) FY24-25 Services Provided Comprehensive Clinical Assessments Completed 8 On average,50HRAD worked with 23 enrolled households per month Assistancewith Completing Housing Applications 14 and of those,on average, 15 Deflections from arrests-Example:businesses contactingTeam, 80 households were engaged/workingon instead of police Diversion Place ment!Housing-Connections totreatment,bridge 7 housing plan. housing Survival Supplies-#of person provided to 168 On average, 10%monthly exited to Harm Reduction-#of contacts:narcan,PORT team 11 positive destination. #of Outreach to Jail18 On average,27%monthly had 40 Transportation assistance 32 Income. Co-response 35 49 J Orange County Partnership to Jf ^ End Homele, es 11 Slide#12 SOHRAD 1ST QTR FY25-26 Services Provided Comprehensive Clinical Assessments Completed 1 On average,SOHRAD worked with 25 enrolled households per month Assistancewith Completing Housing Applications o and of those,on average, 14 Deflectionsfrom arrests-Example:businesses contactingTeam, 12 households were engagedlworking on instead of police Diversion Placement/Housing-Connectionstotreatment,bridge 1 housing plan. housing Survival Supplies-#of person provided to 21 On average, I%monthly exited to Harm Reduction-#of contacts:narcan,PORT team 6 positive destination.(Note—Only I positive exit this year thusfar.) #of Outreach to Jail 10 Transportation assistance 1 On average,23%monthly had Co-response 23 income. �} Orange LL,i Partnership to Jr ^ End Homelessnes Slide#13 HOUSING ACCESS FY24-25 Total Number of Leases Signed 169 HCV 164 RRH 5 Landlords Engaged through Outreach 46 Number of New Landlords Enrolled 25 Landlord Incentive Payments(LIP)Processed 18 Risk Mitigation Processed 16 Units Added to Master Housing List 110 Community Meetings Facilitated 9 Landlord Engagement Roundtable 4 Communityand Provider Trainings a Client Focused Trainings 2 ellow Highlights=Incomplete Data J orange County Partnership to Jf ^ End Homelessnes Vice-Chair Fowler asked what RRH sands for in slide #13. Danielle Decaprio said rapid rehousing. 12 Slide#14 HOUSING ACCESS 1 ST QTR FY25-26 Total Number of Leases Signed 43 HCV 31 RRH 12 Landlords Engaged through Outreach 11 Number of New Landlords Enrolled 4 LI P's Processed 4 Risk Mitigation Processed 4 Units Added to Master Housing List 34 Community Meetings Facilitated 4 Landlord Engagement Roundtable 1 Communityand Provider Trainings 3 CLient Focused Trainings 0 ,J Orange County Partnership to End Homelessnes Commissioner Bedford asked if the leases in the first quarter included people affected by Tropical Storm Chantal. Danielle Decaprio said these are new leases signed, not renewals. Commissioner Bedford said that some people who were displaced did not go back to their old homes. Danielle Decaprio said the number would include those. Slide#15 RAPID REHOUSING 3RD QTR FY24-25 Apr-25 May-25 Jun-25 Total Number of New Enrollments 7 7 4 18 Number of New Move Ins 0 3 2 5 Total Households 17 25 22 Number of Families 5 8 7 Number of Adult Only Households 12 17 15 Income at Start(adults) 9 13 14 Yes 12 15 13 Unknown 0 1 0 Percentage with Income 57% 52% 48% Number of Positive Exits(persons) 4 3 Total Persons Exiting 9 7 Percentage of Positive Exits 44% 43% Number of Active Cases 31 41 J Orange County Partnership to Jf ^ End Homelessnes 13 Slide#16 IWI RAPID REHOUSING 1ST QTR FY25-26 Jul-25 Aug-25 Sep-25 Total Number of New Enrollments 21 1 0 22 Number of New Move Ins 1 8 5 14 Total Households 40 41 41 Number of Families 8 8 8 Number of Adult Only Households 32 33 33 Income at Start(adults) No 19 19 19 Yes 22 23 23 Unknown 1 0 0 Percentage with Income 52°/u 55% 55% Number of Positive Exits(persons) 3 - - Total Persons Exiting 3 0 1 0 Percentage of Positive Exits 100% Number of Active Cases 43 41 1 41 �. �} Orange County Partnership to Jr ^ End Homelessnes Slide#17 SSI/SSDI OUTREACH, ACCESS AND RECOVERY (SOAR) FY24-25 New Referrals To SOAR 25 Number of Cases that OC is Auth Rep(duplicated) 24 Newly assigned cases to county staff as Authorized Rep 14 Number of Cases OC Provided Informal Support 9 Number of Cases Submitted for the First Time 12 Number of Successful Outcomes 4 J Orange County Partnership to Jf ^ End Homelessnes Danielle Decaprio said they adjusted the outcomes for SOAR between last year and the current year after learning lessons and gaining a better understanding of appropriate referrals that will be eligible to obtain SSI and SSDI. 14 Slide#18 IWI SOAR 1 ST QTR FY25-26 New Referrals To SOAR 22 Eligible Referrals 10 Newly assigned cases to county staff as Authorized Representative 8 Social Security Income(SSI)/Social Security Disability Income(SSDI) 5 pplication Packets Submitted Successful Outcomes 5 �rrainings Provided/Outreach Events 5 Orange County *NOTE-Changed Outcomes Slightly from Previous=FiscalYear Partnership to J(' ^ End Homelessnes Chair Hamilton asked what an authorized representative is. Danielle Decaprio said it's a designation given to staff by the SSA office to authorize them to work on behalf of a client and submit medical records, help them with the application, and take them to their appointments and necessary. Slide #19 QUESTIONS? Danielle T. DeCaprio, LCSW Homeless Program Manager Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness ddecaprioPorangecountyne.gov 919.895.2427 Orange Count�� Partnership to Jf ^ End Homelessnes 15 Commissioner Greene said HUD plans to institute a 30% cap on the amount that can be requested for permanent supportive housing and rapid rehousing. She read from a statement by the National Alliance on Homelessness that this will force continuance of care to reallocate funding from existing permanent housing projects in order to create new projects with preference for new transitional housing and new supportive systems only. She said she did not understand the following awards process changes to Tier 1 and 2 as read from the National Alliance Homelessness website: "Significant adjustments to funding tiers. Tier one will likely be significantly reduced so that a large majority of funding will be subject to continuum of care score. For reference in 2024, tier one was equal to 90% of a continuum of cares funding while tier two was equal to only 10% reflective of the longstanding priority given by HUD and Congress to renewal funding. She asked for clarification. Danielle Decaprio said all projects are ranked and reviewed. She said Tier 1 funding is thought of as harmless funding and has typically been 90-95%. She said Tier 2 goes into a national competition, where the odds of getting that funding is a lot lower. She said Tier 2 used to be 5-10%. She said now Tier 1 will be 30% and Tier 2 will be 70%. She said the county's Tier 1 funding would be $360,000 and their cost for permanent housing projects is $900,000. Commissioner Greene said there was a section on penalties for organizations or programs not aligned with administration priorities, and one is harm reduction practices. She asked how that will impact the county. Blake Rosser, Housing Director, said Tier 2 scoring is done under the term "merit review," which is 140 points. He said the penalties are contained in the rubric. He said there are 16 points for demonstrating a certain amount of transitional housing or sober living facilities that already exist and to demonstrate partnerships with those facilities, which the county doesn't have. He said that the county would then miss out on those points. He said staff have gone through the rubric carefully, calculating that the county is standing to not be eligible for 40-60 points. He said to bear in mind that they are competing with other continuum of care programs nationally, many of whom might not be eligible for points. He said it's difficult to know where they stand in comparison to other continuum of care programs. Commissioner Greene asked if the county will be penalized for having harm reduction strategies. Blake Rosser said the penalty will just be that the county does not get the points in the merit review. Commissioner Portie-Ascott thanked Danielle Decaprio for her presentation. She asked how many people are chronically homeless. Danielle Decaprio said the term chronically homeless is for someone who is homeless a certain length of time and has a disability. She said that potentially could be 60-80 individuals on any given night. Commissioner Carter thanked Danielle Decaprio for her presentation. She asked if the 65% reduction in funding is because of the Tier 1 reduction. Danielle Decaprio said it is a separate source of funding, the emergency solutions grant. She said in previous years there was a condition that no continuum of care would receive less than $100,000. She said that the state ESG office saw no reason to continue that stipulation and reduced the amount to what is considered Orange County's "fair share," which is $45,000. Commissioner Carter asked why the total population served decreased from 2024 to 2025. Danielle Decaprio said it could be related to a couple of things, but she said the rapid rehousing team did a great job. She said they turned over 100% of their caseload and housed about 40 new households. Chair Hamilton thanked Danielle Decaprio for the presentation. She said it is helpful for the Board to understand the funding that the program might not get. She said she would like to 16 know more about the population experiencing homelessness. She said it would help her have a better sense of what's underlying the trends. Danielle Decaprio said they are having conversations locally how the CoCs can share information appropriately and privately. Blake Rosser said they will try to add more of a narrative piece in the future. He said they plan to make a twice a year report to the Board and would report more demographics. 5. Public Hearings None. 6. Regular Agenda a. BOCC Boards and Commissions Assignments The Board selected the boards and commissions Board members will serve on during 2026. BACKGROUND: County Commissioners serve on various County and County-related boards and commissions. On an annual basis, BOCC members indicate their desire to continue serving on specific boards or commissions or their desire to make changes. The following attachments are provided to aid in the selection process: Attachment 1: Email -Annual BOCC Boards and Commissions Assignments - Required vs. Non- Required Boards Attachment 2: Policy Governing the Selection Process of BOCC Boards/Commissions Assignments Attachment 3: Selection Process Guide Attachment 4: Current Boards and Commissions List Tara May, Deputy Clerk to the Board, introduced the item. She reviewed the Boards that commissioners are not required to serve on: Board Name Commissioner Required to Serve? Active Boards 1 Commissioner Commissioner not required, but serves by practice as a non-voting ABC Board member Alliance Health Board of 1 Commissioner Directors Required per Alliance bylaws 1 Commissioner Board of Health Required per Board of Health bylaws 1 Commissioner Commissioner not specifically required by statute, but has Board of Social Services historically served as the second county appointee 2 Commissioners: Burlington/Graham MPO 1 member, 1 alternate Transportation Advisory Required per Memorandum of Understanding establishing BGMPO Committee TAC 17 2 Commissioners: Central Pines Regional Council 1 member, 1 alternate Board of Delegates Required per Central Pines Charter Resolution Central Pines Rural Planning Organization (CPRPO) Rural 2 Commissioners: Transportation Advisory 1 member, 1 alternate Committee Required per Central Pines Charter Resolution 1 Commissioner Climate Council Required per Climate Council bylaws Co-Gen Rail Transformation Project Policy Steering 1 Commissioner Committee Required per Memorandum of Agreement establishing Committee 1 Commissioner Cooperative Extension Commissioner not required, but serves by practice as ex officio Leadership Council member 1 Commissioner Durham Tech Board of Trustees Required per Board of Trustees bylaws 1 Commissioner Fire Chief's Association of Commissioner not required, but serves by practice as non-voting Orange County member 1 Commissioner GoTriangle Board of Trustees Required per GoTriangle Charter 2 Commissioners GoTriangle Special Tax Board Required per GoTriangle 1 Commissioner Commissioner not required, but by practice is often the same Healthy Carolinians Commissioner who serves on the Board of Health 2 Commissioners: Intergovernmental Parks Work 1 member, 1 alternate Group Required per Resolution establishing the IPWG 1 Commissioner Required per JCPC bylaws County attorney advises a designee could serve instead; Deputy JCPC (Orange County Juvenile County Manager Caitlin Fenhagen has volunteered if the Board Crime Prevention Council) would like to pursue appointing a designee Jordan Lake One Water 1 Commissioner Coalition Board of Directors Required per JLOW 2 Commissioners Justice Advisory Council Required by action establishing the JAC Legislative Issues Work Group 2 Commissioners (LIWG) Required per BOCC practice 18 Orange Care Coalition (Family Success Alliance Advisory 1 Commissioner Council) Commissioner not required, but serves by practice Orange County Behavioral 1 Commissioner Health Task Force Commissioner not required, but serves by practice Orange County Local Government Affordable Housing 1 Commissioner Collaborative Required per resolution establishing Collaborative Orange County Partnership for Young Children Board of 1 Commissioner Directors Required per Partnership Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness Leadership 1 Commissioner Team Required per Leadership Team Governance Charter 1 Commissioner Piedmont Food Processing Commissioner not required, but serves by practice as one of the Center county designees 1 Commissioner Research Triangle Regional Commissioner required because Orange County is a member of Partnership Executive Board RTRP Solid Waste Advisory Group 2 Commissioners (SWAG) Required per action establishing SWAG The Chamber For a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro Board of 1 Commissioner Directors Required per Chamber; non-voting member Triangle West Transportation 2 Commissioners: Planning Organization (TPO) 1 member, 1 alternate Board Required per TPO bylaws 2 Commissioners: Upper Neuse River Basin 1 member, 1 alternate Association Board of Directors Required per UNRBA 1 Commissioner Visitor's Bureau Advisory Board Required per Advisory Board by-laws Inactive Boards North/South Bus Rapid Transit 1 Commissioner (N/S BRT) Policy Committee Commissioner not required, but serves by practice Strategic Communications Work 2 Commissioners Group Required per BOCC action establishing Work Group GoTriangle Transit Advisory 1 Commissioner Committee Required per GoTriangle 19 Regarding the ABC Board, Commissioner Bedford said it is important to have a liaison on the ABC Board. She recalled a time when the ABC Board was considering not paying a living wage, but having a commissioner on the board ensured that it happened. Vice-Chair Fowler agreed that it is important. Commissioner McKee said commissioner presence helps improve the amount that they give to the justice budget. He said they also give out community awards that are helpful to be aware of as the county also provides funding to some of those people. There was no motion to discontinue service on the ABC Board. Regarding the Board of Social Services, Commissioner McKee said it provides information to the commissioners as to what is going on with social services and the county. He said it is an important board. Vice-Chair Fowler said there may be hot topics coming before the Board of Social Services where it would be helpful for a commissioner to be aware of. Commissioner Greene said it goes both ways. She said the community is interested in having a commissioner be there to support accountability, and the Board of Social Services appreciates having a commissioner there to bring feedback to the Board of Commissioners. Commissioner Carter asked if a commissioner could attend without being assigned. Commissioner McKee said attending without being a board member might raise questions. Commissioner Bedford said attending as a member of the public would only mean making comments during the public comment period, but the commissioner wouldn't be participating. She said because social services the number one budget for the county it is important to have a commissioner. She said due to the size (only five members), it becomes even more important that a commissioner attend. Commissioner Greene said she would likely not attend a public meeting voluntarily as it would not be regularly on her agenda and part of her job. Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked if an alternate is possible if a commissioner cannot attend a Board of Social Services meeting. Commissioner Bedford said that is not allowed. There was no motion to discontinue service on the Board of Social Services. Regarding the Cooperative Extension Leadership Council, Vice-Chair Fowler said that while she'd served on it and enjoyed her time, it is not critical to have a commissioner. Commissioner McKee agreed. Commissioner Greene said she has not attended, but she is interested in the council. Commissioner Portie-Ascott said she currently serves on the council and finds very interesting. She said that is one the Board should keep. Commissioner Bedford said it only meets quarterly. She said she thought having a commissioner serve was at the request of the council. She asked Tara May if that was correct. Tara May said she was not aware. Commissioner Bedford said she believed the council asked for it. She said the Food Council was dissolved and food insecurity and food systems are now with Cooperative Extension, and these things are under attack. There was no motion to discontinue service on the Cooperative Extension Leadership Council. 20 Regarding the Fire Chiefs'Association, Commissioner McKee said when he first began serving, there was a lot of dissension between the county and the fire departments. He said the fire departments are a critical safety component in the community. He said not having a representative could send a message that the Board isn't interested. He said he supported continuing having a commissioner serve on the association. He said it is a partnership issue. Chair Hamilton said that this may be a situation where the county has a conversation with the association as to whether representation should continue. Commissioner McKee agreed. There was no motion to discontinue service on the Fire Chiefs Association. Regarding Healthy Carolinians, Commissioner Bedford said it might not be essential, but the group reports to the Board of Health. She said they develop new community health improvement plans. She said it is an intense process every four years, but they meet less between plan years. Vice-Chair Fowler said she served on Healthy Carolinians and while she found it interesting due to her medical career and experience, she didn't think it was necessary. Commissioner Bedford asked if they could only vote to put someone on the board every four years. Chair Hamilton suggested that whoever is on the Board of Health could serve on Healthy Carolinians during plan years. Chair Hamilton made a motion to not appoint a commissioner to Healthy Carolinians. Commissioner Bedford seconded the motion. VOTE: UNANIMOUS Regarding Orange Care Coalition, Vice-Chair Fowler said a commissioner was not necessary on that board. Commissioner Greene said that when it first started, there were two commissioners, then one, and if they reduce it to zero, that's a good sign. She said that means the program launched successfully. Vice-Chair Fowler moved to discontinue having a county commissioner serve on the Orange Care Coalition. Commissioner Portie-Ascott seconded the motion. VOTE: UNANIMOUS Regarding Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (JCPC), Tara May said that the County Attorney advised that a designee could serve instead of a commissioner. She said Deputy County Manager Caitlin Fenhagen is willing to serve. Commissioner Carter said there should be county representation on JCPC. She said having Caitlin Fenhagen would hold the county in good stead and continue the work of the council. Commissioner Portie-Ascott supported having Caitlin Fenhagen serve on JCPC. Commissioner Bedford agreed, but she said that there may be another qualified staff member who would also be appropriate to serve on the council. She suggested the County Manager designate a staff member to attend. Commissioner Bedford made a motion to not appoint a commissioner to the JCPC and to allow the County Manager to designate a staff member to attend. Commissioner Carter seconded the motion. 21 VOTE: UNANIMOUS Regarding the Behavioral Health Task Force, Chair Hamilton said as someone who served on the task force, it gives her the information about what's going on in Orange County, which is really helpful for Alliance Board meetings. She said it's a really important task force to be a part of. There was no motion to discontinue service on the Behavioral Health Task Force. Regarding Piedmont Food Processing Center (PFPC) board, Commissioner Carter said the organization recently worked on their mission and goal setting, and the county also has an MOU with the center. She said structurally, the center is moving in a good direction. She said the bylaws do not require a commissioner, and other counties do not have their commissioners participating. She suggested appointing a community member with ties to the agricultural community. Commissioner Greene said because it is working with food systems it is important to keep a commissioner on the center's board. Commissioner McKee said both comments were good, but he agreed with Commissioner Greene a little more strongly. He recalled a time when relationships with the PFPC were not good, but the improvements are encouraging. He said that this is a board they should be part of. Commissioner Bedford asked if the center's bylaws state that Orange County can appoint someone to the board. Commissioner Carter said they don't state that a commissioner must be appointed. Commissioner Bedford said that their bylaws should be updated. John Roberts said that the Board of Commissioners do not appoint anyone to the PFPC board, but makes a recommendation for that board to appoint. He said the bylaws provides that they shall have one director from each of the four original interlocal county partners. He said that the center's board has to appoint an individual, but the commissioners are making a recommendation. Commissioner Bedford said no other counties are represented and the bylaws need to be improved. Vice-Chair Fowler asked if PFPC changed their bylaws. John Roberts said the bylaws are different than what they were in 2012, so at some point they were updated. He said based on the version he has, it still requires one individual from each of the four county partners. Vice-Chair Fowler said that the bylaws need work, and a commissioner should stay until that is corrected. Commissioner Greene said given that PFPC works with the food system, which includes farmers and Cooperative Extension, it seems important that someone from the Board of Commissioners be appointed by them to the center's board. Commissioner Carter made a motion to recommend an appointee selected by the Board that is not necessarily a commissioner who is standing in good stead in the organization. Commissioner McKee seconded the motion. Vice-Chair Fowler said they just heard that they can't appoint a designee. Commissioner McKee said that the Board doesn't appoint, but a recommendation is sent to the center's board for their appointment. 22 Commissioner Carter made an amendment to her motion that a commissioner continue to serve on the center's board until an individual is recommended. Commissioner McKee agreed with the amendment. Commissioner Bedford said it is important to fix the bylaws first. Commissioner Greene said that the PFPC board has the power to find farmers to be on the center's board. Commissioner Carter clarified that the motion was for a recommendation be made for a community member to serve on the PFPC board and a commissioner to serve until the appointment process is complete. VOTE: Ayes, 3 (Commissioner Portie-Ascott, Commissioner Carter, Commissioner McKee); Nays,4(Commissioner Greene, Chair Hamilton,Vice-Chair Fowler, Commissioner Bedford) MOTION FAILS Regarding the NSBRT, Tara May said that the board is currently inactive. Commissioner Greene made a motion to not nominate anyone for the NSBRT board. Vice-Chair Fowler seconded the motion. VOTE: UNANIMOUS Regarding the GoTriangle Transit Advisory Committee, Tara May said she didn't have any documentation requiring a commissioner to serve. Commissioner Greene said she's been on the GoTriangle board for three years and has never heard of this committee. Chair Hamilton suggested not taking action on the advisory committee due to lack of information. The Board made the following boards and commissions selections: Commissioner Bedford • Board of Social Services • Central Pines Rural Planning Organization (CPRPO) Transportation Advisory Committee JAC) (alternate) • Durham Tech Board of Trustees • Fire Chiefs'Association of Orange County • Justice Advisory Council • Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness Leadership Team • Solid Waste Advisory Group Commissioner Carter • Jordan Lake One Water Coalition Board of Directors • Legislative Issues Work Group • The Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro Board of Directors • Triangle West Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) Board (alternate) • Upper Neuse River Basin Association Board of Directors (member) 23 Vice-Chair Fowler • Burlington/Graham MPO Transportation Advisory Committee (alternate) • Climate Council • Co-Gen Rail Transformation Project Policy Steering Committee • Go Triangle Special Tax Board • Intergovernmental Parks Work Group (member) • Triangle West Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) Board (member) Commissioner Greene • Central Pines Regional Council Board of Delegates (member) • Go Triangle Board of Trustees • Orange County Local Government Affordable Housing Collaborative • Piedmont Food Processing Center Board of Directors • Visitor's Bureau Advisory Board Chair Hamilton • Alliance Health Board of Directors • Central Pines Regional Council Board of Delegates (alternate) • Intergovernmental Parks Work Group (alternate) • Justice Advisory Council • Orange County Behavioral Health Task Force • Solid Waste Advisory Group Commissioner McKee • Alcoholic Beverage Control Board • Board of Health • Burlington/Graham MPO Transportation Advisory Committee (member) • Cooperative Extension Leadership Council • Go Triangle Special Tax Board • Upper Neuse River Basin Association Board of Directors (alternate) Commissioner Portie-Ascott • Central Pines Rural Planning Organization (CPRPO) Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) (member) • Legislative Issues Work Group • Orange County Partnership for Young Children Board of Directors • Research Triangle Regional Partnership Executive Board A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Greene, to approve the commissioner appointments as selected and discussed by the Board. VOTE: UNANIMOUS 7. Reports None. 24 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 Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Carter, to approve the consent agenda. VOTE: UNANIMOUS a. Minutes None. b. Motor Vehicle Property Tax Releases/Refunds The Board adopted of a resolution to release motor vehicle property tax values for nine (9) taxpayers with a total of nine (9) bills that will result in a reduction of revenue. c. Property Tax Releases/Refunds The Board adopted of a resolution to release property tax values for thirty (30) taxpayers with a total of thirty-eight (38) bills that will result in a reduction of revenue. d. Late Applications for Property Tax Exemption/Exclusion The Board approved twelve (12) untimely applications for exemption/exclusion from ad valorem taxation for sixteen (16) bills for the 2025 tax year. e. Property Tax Release/Refund Request— Laura Jost Malahias The Board approved a resolution denying a request for release/refund of taxes submitted by Laura Jost Malahias. f. Renewal of Fairview Park Memorandum of Interlocal Agreement The Board renewed a Memorandum of Interlocal Agreement(MOA)with the Town of Hillsborough for a five-year term for certain activities and operations at Fairview Park. g. Resolution of Approval —Alamance County Ownership of Donated Land Within Orange County The Board adopted a resolution approving Alamance County taking ownership of a parcel of land in Orange County for inclusion in a future Alamance regional park. h. Approval of ABB, Inc. Performance Agreement Amendment The Board approved a proposed amendment to the performance agreement between ABB, Inc. and Orange County providing a one-month extension to the termination date to allow for verification of the final year performance metrics. i. Approval of School Enrollment Forecasting Contract with UNC The Board approved an intergovernmental agreement with UNC for the Carolina Population Center's Carolina Demography to conduct an enrollment forecast for both school districts. 9. County Manager's Report Travis Myren had no report. 10. County Attorney's Report John Roberts had no report. 11. *Appointments None. 25 12. Information Items • November 18, 2025 BOCC Meeting Follow-up Actions List • Tax Collector's Report— Numerical Analysis • Tax Collector's Report— Measure of Enforced Collections • Tax Collector's Report— Foreclosure Chart • Tax Assessor's Report— Releases/Refunds under$100 • Memorandum - Board of Health Resolution Promoting the Development of Adequate Affordable Housing • Appeals and Neighborhood Reviews Update Reports 13. Closed Session None. Adjournment A motion was made by Vice-Chair Fowler, seconded by Commissioner McKee, to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 p.m. VOTE: UNANIMOUS Jean Hamilton, Chair Recorded by Laura Jensen, Clerk to the Board Submitted for approval by Laura Jensen, Clerk to the Board