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Agenda 05-05-2026; 8-a - Minutes for April 7, 2026 and April 14, 2026
1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: May 5, 2026 Action Agenda Item No. 8-a SUBJECT: Minutes for April 7, 2026 and April 14, 2026 DEPARTMENT: Board of County Commissioners ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Draft Minutes (under separate cover) Laura Jensen, Clerk to the Board, 919- 245-2130 PURPOSE: To correct and/or approve the draft minutes as submitted by the Clerk to the Board as listed below. BACKGROUND: In accordance with 153A-42 of the General Statutes, the Governing Board has the legal duty to approve all minutes that are entered into the official journal of the Board's proceedings. Attachment 1 : April 7, 2026 Business Meeting Attachment 2: April 14, 2026 Business Meeting FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this item. ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: This item supports: • GUIDING PRINCIPLE — COMMUNICATION AND AWARENESS We provide information and opportunities for engagement in a transparent manner so that all in our community have knowledge, understanding, and a voice. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve minutes as presented or as amended. Attachment 1 1 1 DRAFT MINUTES 2 ORANGE COUNTY 3 BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 4 BUSINESS MEETING 5 April 7,2026 6 7:00 p.m. 7 8 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met for a Business Meeting on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at 9 7:00 p.m. at the Whitted Human Services Building in Hillsborough, NC. 10 11 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Jean Hamilton, Vice-Chair Amy Fowler, and Commissioners 12 Jamezetta Bedford, Marilyn Carter, Sally Greene, Earl McKee, and Phyllis Portie-Ascott 13 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: None. 14 COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT: John Roberts 15 COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Travis Myren, Deputy County Manager Caitlin Fenhagen, and 16 Clerk to the Board Laura Jensen (All other staff members will be identified appropriately below.) 17 18 Chair Hamilton called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. All commissioners were present. 19 20 1.Additions or Changes to the Agenda 21 None. 22 23 Chair Hamilton read the public charge and reviewed the instructions for making public 24 comment. She noted that comments on printed agenda items would be taken when those specific 25 matters come before the board. 26 27 2. Public Comments(Limited to One Hour) 28 a. Matters not on the Printed Agenda 29 None. 30 31 b. Matters on the Printed Agenda 32 These matters will be considered when the Board addresses that item on the agenda below. 33 34 3.Announcements, Petitions, and Comments by Board Members 35 Commissioner McKee petitioned the board to include a discussion at the work session on 36 Tuesday, April 1, 2026, regarding the possibility of adding a provision to the Longtime Homeowners 37 Assistance (LHA) Program. His proposal would hold harmless those residents 70 years or older who have 38 owned their homes for 20 years and have income levels at 30% or below of Area Median Income from 39 tax increases, as long as they own the house or until they pass away. He noted that this would benefit 40 between 90 and 110 people and said he would bring information back to a work session. 41 Commissioner Greene reported on the most recent GoTriangle meeting, sharing the encouraging 42 news that ridership on routes 400 and 405 from Chapel Hill to Durham had doubled since the service 43 moved to 15-minute frequency. She said it is a game changer when you can just walk up to the bus stop 44 and know that a bus is coming any minute. On behalf of the Visitors Bureau, she announced that the 45 Savannah Bananas would be coming to town over the weekend. She said it is a major coup for Chapel 46 Hill because many towns were competing for this opportunity. She highlighted the Visitors Bureau's 47 impressive return on investment for fiscal year 2024-25, with a $776,000 investment returning $9.9 48 million, largely driven by major soccer matches including the Manchester and Celtic Football Clubs and 2 1 the Mexico and Turkey teams. She noted that this year's investment of $130,000 in the Savannah 2 Bananas is expected to return about$7 million. 3 Commissioner Carter acknowledged they were entering budget season and emphasized that the 4 budget is a statement of the values of the Board and how it balances needs in an environment where 5 costs are being pushed down to counties from the federal and state governments. She noted that April is 6 County Government Month and looked forward to hearing about the county's applications for NACO's 7 achievement awards. She highlighted the Telecom municators Week Proclamation on the consent agenda 8 and praised the outstanding 911 call center in Emergency Services, sharing that last year the center 9 received 88,000 calls with over 96% answered within 10 seconds. She mentioned attending a "100 10 Counties Prepared" training session on Thursday for disaster scenarios. She congratulated Jonah Garson, 11 an Orange County Planning Board member, who was designated as a Senate candidate for NC District 23. 12 Vice-Chair Fowler highlighted the many proclamations on the consent agenda that couldn't be 13 read individually, including Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, Earth Day, Native Plant Month, and 14 Volunteer Week. She specifically mentioned adding the Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day proclamation 15 thanks to a constituent's request. She read a portion of the proclamation, which said the Board is 16 designating April 10th as Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day in Orange County, recognizing young people's 17 right to education, prevention, treatment, and care, and to live without criminalization, discrimination, 18 oppression, and stigma." She also mentioned the recent Triangle West Transportation Planning 19 Organization's (TPO) meeting and encouraged anyone interested in learning more to visit the Triangle 20 West TPO website. 21 Commissioner Portie-Ascott reported attending the General Services steering committee 22 meeting where they heard from the Division of Water Infrastructure with the Department of 23 Environmental Quality about new state water and sewer programs, including a pilot helping 24 homeowners replace failing septic systems through forgivable loans. She found this particularly notable 25 given community members' experiences with failing systems costing upwards of $60,000. She also 26 attended a healthcare forum titled "Can I Afford My Healthcare" where the Health Director and Director 27 of Social Services provided clear and practical insights on the challenges that residents are facing around 28 their healthcare. She highlighted the nomination period for the 2026 Civic Excellence and Innovation 29 Awards with NCACC, encouraging Orange County departments to apply by the April 20, 2026 deadline. 30 Commissioner Bedford reminded everyone to wear blue on Friday for Child Abuse Prevention 31 Week, noting it was moved from the first Friday due to Good Friday. As the Board's representative to the 32 Partnership to End Homelessness, she announced that there would be a reorganization meeting on April 33 16, 2026, at the Drakeford Library Complex. The goal of the meeting will be to comply with Housing and 34 Urban Development (HUD) requirements for the Continuum of Care (CoC). She said the board 35 composition will change, and a public kickoff meeting is scheduled. 36 Chair Hamilton concluded by highlighting an information item recognizing county employees 37 who retired between January 1, 2026, and March 31,2026. She expressed gratitude to all the retirees for 38 their service to Orange County and its residents. She read the names and departments of the retirees. 39 40 4. Proclamations/Resolutions/Special Presentations 41 a. County Government Month Proclamation 42 The Board approved a proclamation designating April 2026 as County Government Month in Orange 43 County. 44 45 BACKGROUND: The National Association of Counties (NACo) celebrates National County Government 46 Month each April to educate the public about county government. A proclamation to acknowledge April 47 2026 as County Government Month is attached. 3 1 This year's national theme is "Brilliant Ideas at Work" The theme encourages counties, parishes and 2 boroughs to feature their most innovative and successful programs —those truly making a difference in 3 residents' lives. 4 5 To celebrate County Government Month, the Community Relations Department will coordinate a social 6 media campaign showcasing County employees and the important work they do. Staff will also spotlight 7 some of the County's most successful and innovative programs. 8 9 Community Relations Director, Wil Glenn, presented the County Government Month 10 Proclamation, explaining that every April NACO celebrates County Government Month as an opportunity 11 to tell residents about all the great things counties do to serve them. He noted that this year they would 12 be profiling employees as the most valuable county commodity. 13 14 Commissioners read the following proclamation in turn: 15 16 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 17 PROCLAMATION 18 COUNTY GOVERNMENT MONTH—APRIL 2026 19 20 WHEREAS,the nation's 3,069 counties serving more than 330 million Americans provide essential 21 services to create healthy, safe and vibrant communities; and 22 23 WHEREAS, counties fulfill a vast range of responsibilities and deliver services that touch nearly every 24 aspect of our residents' lives; and 25 26 WHEREAS, counties as intergovernmental partners enact local, state and federal programs to address the 27 needs of all residents; and 28 29 WHEREAS, Orange County and all counties take pride in our responsibility to protect and enhance the 30 health, well-being and safety of our residents in efficient and cost-effective ways; and 31 32 WHEREAS, the nation is celebrating 250 years of independence this year and counties have a long and 33 rich history of serving residents; and 34 35 WHEREAS, each year since 1991 the National Association of Counties has encouraged counties across 36 the country to elevate awareness of county responsibilities, programs and services; and 37 38 WHEREAS, the Orange County Board of Commissioners has made tremendous investments in public 39 education, affordable housing, human services, economic development and public safety to enhance the 40 quality of life for all county residents; 41 42 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT we,the Orange County Board of Commissioners, do hereby 43 proclaim April 2026 as County Government Month and express our appreciation to the County 44 employees who make our community such a special place to live, work, play and raise a family. 45 46 This the 7th day of April, 2026. 47 48 4 1 2 Jean Hamilton, Chair 3 Orange County Board of Commissioners 4 5 A motion was made by Commissioner Bedford, seconded by Earl McKee, to approve and 6 authorize the Chair to sign the proclamation. 7 8 VOTE: UNANIMOUS 9 10 b. Presentation of Manager's Recommended FY 2026-36 Capital Investment Plan (CIP) 11 The Board received the Manager's Recommended FY 2026-36 Capital Investment Plan. 12 13 BACKGROUND: Each year, the County produces a Capital Investment Plan (CIP) that establishes a 14 budget planning guide related to capital needs for the County and Schools. The 10-Year CIP is evaluated 15 annually to include year-to-year changes in priorities, needs, and available resources. Approval of the 16 CIP commits the County to the first-year funding only of the capital projects; all other years are used as a 17 planning tool and serves as a financial plan. 18 19 Capital Investment Plan—Overview 20 The FY 2026-36 CIP includes County Projects, School Projects, and Proprietary Projects. The School 21 Projects include Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, Orange County Schools, and Durham Technical 22 Community College — Orange County Campus projects. The Proprietary Projects include Water and 23 Sewer, Solid Waste Enterprise Fund, and Sportsplex projects. 24 25 The CIP has been prepared anticipating moderate economic growth of approximately 2% in property tax 26 growth and 4% in sales tax growth annually over the next ten years. The CIP will rely substantially on 27 debt financing to fund the projects and these required debt amounts are fully integrated in the County's 28 Long-Term Debt Model. 29 30 Travis Myren, County Manager, presented a high-level overview of the recommended Capital 31 Investment Plan (CIP) (PowerPoint presentation is attached to the minutes). 32 33 Slide#1 ORANGE COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA Introduction of the Capital Investment Plan for FY2026-36 Board of Commissioners Business Meeting April 7, 2026 34 35 Travis Myren noted that a more in-depth discussion would occur on April 16, 2026, for year one 36 projects. 37 5 1 Slide#2 Purpose • Purpose of the Capital Investment Plan — Board Approves Year 1 of the Plan as the FY2026-27 Capital Budget — Ten Year Planning Horizon(FY2026-36) • Imposes Planning Discipline • No Surprises — Debt Service Requirements • Amount of Funds Required in the Operating Budget • Measures Debt Capacity—Debt Service Compared to Expected General Fund Revenue • Predicts Potential Tax Increases Required to Pay Debt Service ORANGE COUNTY 2 NORTH CAROLINA 2 3 Travis Myren explained the CIP's purposes: the Board approves year one as the Capital Budget, it 4 serves as a planning document imposing discipline and preventing surprises, and it examines how the 5 capital plan impacts the operating budget through debt service and long-term operating costs. 6 7 Slide#3 FY2026-36 Recommended Capital Investment Plan • Implementation of Guiding Plans - Long-Range School Optimization Plan - County Long-Range Facilities Plan • Projects Aligned with Strategic Plan — Strategic Plan Priorities — Responsive Projects • Environmental Protection and Climate Action Climate Action Plan Projects • Healthy Community Emergency Services Projects • Housing for All Affordable Housing • Multi-modal Transportation Transit Plan Update,Bus Shelters • Public Education/Learning Community School Construction and Planning and Design • Diverse and Vibrant Economy Piedmont Food Processing Center ORANGE COUNTY 3 NORTH CAROLINA 8 9 Travis Myren explained this was the second year of implementing two guiding capital plans: the 10 Long-range School Optimization Plan (Woolpert Plan) and the county's Long-range Facilities Plan, both 11 covering 10 years starting in 2024-25. He noted that both plans align with the county's Strategic Plan 12 priorities. 6 1 Slide#4 FY2026-36 Recommended Capital Investment Plan • Implementation of Long-Range School Optimization Plan — FY 2026-27 and Capital Funding Policy — Major Projects-$105.8 million Major Projects Recommended Appropriated by Project Carrboro Elementary Replacement $47.7 million • Financed Using Bond Proceeds and OCS Elementary Replacement $50.8 million Supplemental Pay-Go Estes Hills Elementary Design $6.3 million $3.5 million Pay-Go in FY2026-27 Project Management Funds $1 million TOTAL $105.8 million — High Priority Needs—$6.4 million High Priority Needs Appropriated by Project East Chapel Hill High Roof Replacement $3.0 million Specific Projects Enumerated Annually for Carrboro High Roof Replacement $1.2 million Flexibility Mary Scroggs Elementary HVAC Replacement $56,400 • Financed Using Annual Debt, Lottery Proceeds,and Remaining AL Stanback Middle HVAC Replacement $2.1 million Bond or Supplemental Pay-Go TOTAL $6.4 million 4 2 3 Travis Myren outlined two major school construction projects for 2026-27: Carrboro Elementary 4 replacement ($44.7 million) built on the current site, and Orange County Schools' replacement 5 elementary school ($50.8 million) located next to Gravelly Hill Middle and the Soccencom facility. These 6 projects, totaling $105.8 million, would be accompanied by$3.5 million in Pay-Go funds for planning and 7 soft costs, representing a $3 million increase equivalent to about 0.90 cents on the property tax rate. 8 Commissioner McKee questioned the disparity between Scroggs Elementary HVAC replacement 9 at$560,004 and A.L. Stanback HVAC replacement at$2.1 million. 10 Travis Myren explained that it was either a segment of the system or possibly just the system for 11 classroom trailers that need attention at Scroggs. 12 13 Slide#5 FY2026-36 Recommended Capital Investment Plan • Implementation of Long-Range School Optimization Plan— FY 2026-27 and Capital Funding Policy — Other Capital Uses—$6.5 million • Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools-$3.9 million • Orange County Schools-$2.6 million • Appropriated by Category • Financed Using Recurring Capital and Article 46 Sales Tax Proceeds — Rental Space — Technology Plans — Equipment Replacement — Lifecycle Capital Replacements 5 ORAoRNGE COU-1714 NTY 14 7 1 Travis Myren noted that there are $6.5 million for the third category of spending, Other Capital 2 Uses, which covers things like rental space, technology plans, equipment replacement, and other 3 lifecycle capital replacements. He said this is funded through Recurring Capital and Article 46 proceeds. 4 5 Slide#6 FY2026-36 Recommended Capital Investment Plan • Implementation of Long-Range School Optimization Plan — 10-Year Plan — School General Obligation Bond -$300 million • Allocated by specific project over 6-year window — Pay-As-You-Go (Cash)-$94.8 million • 3 Year Phase-In Recommended — FY2026-27 $3.5 million — FY2027-28 $6.5 million — FY2028-29 $10 million in FY2028-29 and all subsequent plan years • Provides Flexibility&No interest • Reduces Impact of Borrowing on Debt Service to General Fund Revenue Measure • Enduring Source of Maintenance Funds After Bond is Exhausted ORANGE COUNTY 6 NORTH CAROLINA 6 7 Looking at the full 10-year plan, Travis Myren noted the $300 million designated for school 8 renovations and replacements, with $94.8 million in Pay-Go funds over 10 years. 9 Vice-Chair Fowler said her calculation showed $90 million rather than $94.8 million. 10 Travis Myren said they would reconcile the figures, explaining that some Pay-Go was added back 11 in the final years, but the$94.8 million total was correct. 12 Commissioner Carter asked about potential software expenses related to the Tax Assessment 13 work group recommendations. 14 Travis Myren encouraged her to look at the page called Information Technology Governance 15 Council Recommendations in the CIP buget document. He said EagleView aerial photometric system 16 software was recommended, which helps track property changes over time and reduces the need for 17 intensive field work. 18 Commissioner Carter said she was more interested in statistical machine learning software that 19 they have heard about from other counties. 20 Travis Myren said other counties are using regression modeling to predict value, which can be 21 done with existing systems in the Tax Office, but utilizing it would be a new skill set that would need to 22 be acquired. 23 24 8 1 Slide#7 FY2026-36 Recommended Capital Investment Plan • 10-Year Implementation - Long-Range School Optimization Plan 1� School Major Capital Projects-Recommended r Year Project Cash Financing Debt Financing FY2026-27 Carrboro Elementary $0 $53,000,000 FY2025-27 OCS Replacement Elementary $2,500,000 $54,500,000 FY2027-28 Estes Hills Elementary School Replacement $3,319,063 $59,510,937 FY2027-28 ALStanbackHVACreplacement $2,180,937 $3,100,000 FY2029-30 Chapel Hill High School Roof Replacement $5,000,000 $1,000,000 FY2030-31 Orange Middle School Major Renovation $12,300,000 $67,700,000 FY2031-32 Frank Porter Graham Elementary School $8,952,237 $61,189,063 TOTAL $34,252,237 $300,000,000 Refinements for FY2026-36 • Orange County Schools had originally planned for an elementary school renovation in FY 2033-34.T hose funds were crowded out by the cost of Orange Middle School increasing from$45 million to$80 million ORANGE COUNTY 7 NORTH CAROLINA 2 3 Commissioner Greene questioned the significant cost increase for the Orange Middle School 4 renovation from $45 million to$80 million. 5 Travis Myren explained that initial estimates used general per-square-foot renovation costs, but 6 the actual scope, as determined by the Board of Education, involves moving walls and reconfiguring 7 spaces so that it looks more like a new building than it does just a simple renovation. 8 9 Slide#8 FY2026-36 Recommended Capital Investment Plan • Implementation of County Long-Range Facility Plan - FY2026-27 - Emergency Services Headquarters Planning and Design -$3.9 million Modern Security Standards for Emergency Communications and Operations • Embedded Emergency Medical Services(EMS)Substation — Serve Northern Orange County — Avoids Cost of New Construction • Estimated Cost of Construction and Furnishings/Equipment-$44.5 million in FY2027-28 — Budgeted Costs Increased by 35%to Reflect Current Construction Market - Link Center Renewal -$15.5 million • Relocate Sheriffs Office from Justice Center • Backfill Justice Center Space-$4 million recommended in FY2028-29 — Public Defender—currently in leased space — District Attorney—currently in space in need of significant improvements — Criminal Justice Resource Department—satisfies need for additional space _ ORANGE COUNTY 8 NORTH CAROLINA 10 9 1 For year one county projects, Travis Myren recommended beginning design for the Emergency 2 Services Headquarters, likely located around the current motor pool site, replacing the 911 center and 3 Emergency Operations Center while including an embedded EMS station. He said the cost estimate was 4 escalated by 35% based on recent construction market realities in other counties for similar spaces. He 5 said the Link Center renovation would relocate the Sheriff's Office from the Justice Center, with the 6 vacated space to be filled by the Public Defender's Office, the District Attorney's Office, and the Criminal 7 Justice Resource Department. He said this project was budgeted at$15.5 million in the first year. 8 9 Slide#9 FY2026-36 Recommended Capital Investment Plan • 10-Year Implementation — County Long-Range Facility Plan County Long - Recommended 7FY2027-28 026-27 Link Center Renovation $15,514,576 Emergency Services Headquarters $48,360,000028-29 Justice Facility Renovation $3,936,312 FY2029-30 Cedar Grove Document Storage $2,635,200 FY2029-30 510 Meadowlands Administration Renovation $3,641,385 FY2029-30 Southern Human Services $11,406,900 FY2030-31 Recreation Facility $21,630,703 FY2033-34 Deconstruct Old Recreation Facility $1,095,784 TOTALi ORANGE COUNTY 9 NORTH CAROLINA 10 11 Travis Myren said the 10-year Plan included the Emergency Services Headquarters construction 12 in 2027-28 at $48.4 million and a recreation facility replacement. He said they refined the timing of the 13 recreation facility replacement to potentially align with Orange County Schools closing a Hillsborough 14 school that could be repurposed for county recreation needs. He said those conversations are underway. 15 16 10 1 Slide#10 FY2026-36 Recommended Capital Investment Plan • 10-Year Implementation —County Long-Range Facility Plan — Refinements for FY2026-36 • Southern Human Services — Scope refined to prioritize Health and Social Services staff—Housing could move to Homestead Road it phase 2 renovation is approved — Health investment is eligible for Medicaid Maximization Funds and Social Services can be reimbursed for facility costs • Recreation Facility Replacement — Project timing delayed to align with potential use of vacant school site in Hillsborough — $120,000 recommended in FY 2027-28 for Community Feasibility and Needs Study ORANGE COUNTY 10 NORTH CAROLINA 2 3 Travis Myren said they also refined the scope of the Southern Human Services renovation to 4 focus on the Health Department and Social Services staff, thinking that Housing staff could move to the 5 new 2700 Homestead Rd. site. He noted that both departments can receive reimbursements for facility 6 costs, which will help with the county's cost of the renovation. 7 8 Slide#11 FY2026-36 Recommended Capital Investment Plan • 10-Year Capital Investment Plan — County Project Strategic Plan Alignment • Environmental Protection and Climate Action Climate Change Mitigation Project $2,264,495 — Four Major Projects — Premium Associated with Purchasing Sixteen(16) Public EV Chargers $200,000 Electric Vehicles Solar Photovoltaic Systems $1,337,654 Staff EV Chargers $4,279,711 l: t • Health Community Public Safety Projects — Facilities for Sheriff's Office and Emergency Services 9-1-1 Backup Center $1,459,885 — VIPER Build Out Emergency Services Headquarters $48,360,000 — Public Safety Vehicles • Ambulances-$13.2 million Emergency Services Renewal&Replacement $9,727,452 — Specialized Equipment-$9.7 million Emergency Services Substations $14,010,769 • Radios,Defibrillators, Ambulance Equipment Justice Facility Renovations $3,936,312 Link Center Renovations $15,514,576 Public Safety Vehicles $20,051,224 VIPER Radio System Build Out $24,942,956 9 10 Travis Myren said there are also projects in the 10-Year CIP that are not included in the Long- 11 Range Plan, but are in alignment with the Strategic Plan, including approximately $8 million for projects 11 1 that align with Environmental Protection and Climate Action, such as the Climate Change Mitigation 2 Project and Electric Vehicle Charging Stations for the county's electric vehicle fleet. He said there are also 3 public safety projects including not only the Emergency Services Headquarters and the Link Center 4 Replacement, but also public safety vehicles, and the VIPER Radio System Buildout. He noted that the 5 VIPER buildout saw a reduction from $32 million to $25 million. 6 Commissioner Carter asked about the reason for the Viper System Radio buildout cost reduction 7 from $32 million to$25 million. 8 Travis Myren explained they better utilized existing vertical assets and towers, and the 9 bidirectional antennae installed at schools resolved radio coverage issues in cinder block buildings, 10 making the overall system more efficient. 11 12 Slide#12 FY2026-36 Recommended Capital Investment Plan • 10-Year Capital Investment Plan — County Project Strategic Plan Alignment • Housing for All — 2700 Homestead Road $30,000 in FY 2026-27 for renovations to use as Cold Weather Cots space Additional planning and design contingent of Board approval of concept plan in Fall of 2026 • If approved,$309,000 in FY 2026-27 and$3,345,000 in FY 2027-28 for full renovation,HVAC and Roof replacement Potential sublease to Town of Carrboro Public Works department will reduce county costs in capital plan. — Affordable Housing Subsidies $15 million included in 10-Year Plan for Affordable Housing Development Next allocation recommended for FY2027-28 ORANGE COUNTY 12 NORTH CAROLINA 13 14 Travis Myren proposed a two-phased approach for the renovations at 2700 Homestead Rd. The 15 first phase would be renovations to use the facility for Cold Weather Cots, and the second phase would 16 include a concept plan to be approved by the Board that could potentially include a sublease to the 17 Town of Carrboro, which would reduce county costs. 18 Commissioner Greene asked if he is confident UNC will approve a long-term lease. 19 Travis Myren said the proposal will go to the UNC Board of Governors in May and return to the 20 Board for approval in June. He said questions from UNC have been addressed, and no red flags have 21 been identified. 22 23 24 25 26 27 12 1 Slide#13 FY2026-36 Recommended Capital Investment Plan • Capital Investment Plan by the Numbers — Year 1:Total Recommended FY2026-27 Capital Expenditures-$150.8 million County Capital $29.5 million Proprietary Funds $2.5 million School Capital $118.8 million — Total 10-Year Plan—$871.6 million Increase of$242 M from FY 2025-35 CIP ORANGE COUNTY 13 NORTH CAROLINA 2 3 Travis Myren said the total year one plan of$150 million would be split 20% to county projects, 4 2%to proprietary projects, and 78%to school capital projects. 5 6 Slide#14 FY2026-36 Recommended Capital Investment Plan FY2026-36 Recommended Expenditures 6y Year laa,ao0,w0 $166,254,178 16a,aoo,000 $lso,]s2,as9 5142,263,449 14a,aoo,000 120,000,000 — $93,199,962 Sd I B•203 ]00,000,000 ScF�.,l�eFir3 $]9,891,689 Pi���le.�F F.nds 80,a0a,co0 Ceu'ty;�Ita $s],EO],120 TOT4L 6a,aco,co0 $47,139,491 Soy]52,599 $40,624,062 4a,aco,co0 20,000,000 0 FY—27 FY 2021-29 FY 202E-29 FY 2024-30 FY 2030-31 FY 2031-32 FY 2032-33 FY 2033-34 FY 2-11 FY 20-36 ORANGE COUNTY 14 NORTH CAROLINA 7 8 Travis Myren noted that annual fluctuations are due to large projects, with significant increases 9 over the next year for school construction, in 2027-28 for the Emergency Services Headquarters 10 construction, and in 2030-31 for the Orange Middle renovation and Central Recreation Replacement. He 11 said the plan levels out after 2031-32 following the Frank Porter Graham replacement. 13 1 2 Slide#15 FY2026-36 Recommended Capital Investment Plan • 10-Year Focus on School and Public Safety Investments — Of$837.2 million Total Recommended CIP, 79.4%is dedicated to Schools and Public Safety investments School&County CIP Funding by Group ORANGE COUNTY 15 NORTH CAROLINA 3 4 Travis Myren explained that over the 10-year plan totaling about$837,000 million, 63%would go 5 to school projects, 16%to public safety, 15%to general county facilities, and 6%to everything else. 6 7 Slide#16 FY2026-36 Recommended Capital Investment Plan Debt Service Schedule through 2026-36 $9o,aoo,o00 $az,9]z,zsl Saa,a9z,fi9] $e3,o3fi,laa $81,213,2]] $80,000,000 $]4,950,008 $]0,060,00� $52,902,683 $fi0,0a0,00� $50,000,000 $45,543 $a0,fi11,813 firsr8ond $3o,a00,00o P��d $zo,aoa,oao #o,a6o,o00 FY2026-27 FY2027-28 FY2028-29 H2029-30 FY2030-31 FY2031-32 H2032-33 FY203}34 FY203435 FY2035-36 ORANGE COUNTY 16 NORTH CAROLINA 8 9 Travis Myren explained the debt service schedule, which showed a steep slope from 2027-28 to 10 2028-29 due to large construction projects and interest payments on Estes Hills replacement. 11 14 1 Slide#17 FY2026-36 Recommended Capital Investment Plan Annual Debt Service Payments on Existing and Proposed CIP Debt 00,000 ow M0,0000M sDo,6.— M0,000,0W 00,0000M U0,6a0,0m 510,000 m L .exisnn9 DeM servee .rroposee aF•Demsemce ORANGE COUNTY 17 NORTH CAROLINA 2 3 Travis Myren said the chart in slide#17 shows the same information in a different way. 4 5 Slide#18 FY2026-36 Recommended Capital Investment Plan Distribution of Debt Service $9gooD,DDO $34,492,697 $83,036,194 $81,213,2]] $80,DOO,DDD $74,950,008 $]D,619,863 $]1,632,3]3 $]0,000,000 $62,9D2,fi83 $fi0,000,00D $50,000,000 545,543,]D9 $4D,611,813 $40,WU,00D $30,DOO,DDD $20,WU,00D $10,000,00D $- M026-22 FY2027-29 FY202g29 FY2029-30 FY2030-31 FY2031-32 FY2032-33 M033-34 M034-35 FY 2035-36 ■5eh,11D MS-111 ■—My DeM-11 or-C TQ1AL a ORANGEWCW-rH�AR COUN1TY 6 7 Travis Myren said the chart in slide #18 shows how much funding goes to school debt service, 8 county debt service, and Durham Technical Community College debt service. 9 10 Slide#19 15 FY2026-36 Recommended Capital Investment Plan Debt Service to General Fund Revenue Policy Compliance FY2026-36 22% 19,J15o 19.51% 18.61% 13.60% 18.63% 18,30% 1].71% 16% 14% 13.69 12.J8% 12% 30% FY2026-27 FY2027-23 FY2028-29 FY2029-30 FY2030-31 FY2031-32 FY2032-33 FY2033-34 FY 2034-M FY2035-36 �PoIlryTarget �Pro]e[tetl ORANGE COUNTY 19 NORTH CAR(7I.INA 1 2 Travis Myren explained that the debt service to general fund revenue rises above the 15%target 3 for several years beginning in 2028-29. 4 Commissioner Carter asked about interest rate impacts in the current environment. 5 Travis Myren explained they conservatively estimate around 4% rate over the course of a 20- 6 year bond. He noted that general obligation bonds for schools are backed by the county's full faith and 7 credit and carry lower rates, especially for AAA-rated counties like Orange County. 8 Commissioner Portie-Ascott noticed that the CIP was prepared estimating a moderate economic 9 growth of 2%. She asked if that is consistent with previous years' estimates. 10 Travis Myren confirmed this was consistent with prior years. He said that metric is important for 11 debt service calculations, as tax base growth increases the value of a penny for debt service. 12 Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked what will happen if there is a recession and no growth. 13 Travis Myren said that is something to be cognizant of when taking on general obligation bonds 14 because the county must legally make those payments before paying back any other obligations. He said 15 he will be implementing some tools in the operating budget to respond to an economic downturn, 16 especially as it relates to fuel prices and there will be more to come on that front. 17 Commissioner McKee expressed concern about the debt service implications, noting that over 18 the 10-year period, they were pushing $1 billion of borrowing and that debt service would increase from 19 12% of revenue to 17-18% from 2028-29 through 2034-35, representing about 3 cents in tax increases 20 just for debt service without any operating changes. 21 22 16 1 Slide#20 FY2026-36 Recommended Capital Investment Plan Funding the Plan • Total FY2026-27 Capital Budget Impact—2.90 cents per$100 of value — Pay-Go—89 cent tax rate equivalent — Debt—2.01 cent tax rate equivalent Fiscal Year Incremental Tax Rate Equivalent • FY2028-29—Increase of 4.58 cents per$100 of value — Principal and interest payments on FY2026-27 borrowing 2028-27 2.01 — Interest payments on FY2027-28 borrowing 2027-28 1.09 2028-29 4.58 2029-30 1.61 2030-31 2031-32 2032-33 1.48 Total 10.77 ORANGE COUNTY 20 NORTH CAROLINA 2 3 Travis Myren confirmed that the debt service increase equated to about 2 cents on the tax rate, 4 with an additional 0.89 cents for pay-go, totaling almost a 3 cent in tax increase. 5 Commissioner McKee emphasized that this represented a baseline, not including inflationary 6 factors or increased services. 7 Chair Hamilton reminded the Board that they will have the opportunity to go into more detail on 8 April16tn 9 Commissioner McKee said residents need to understand that there will likely be future tax 10 increases. 11 Chair Hamilton reminded the Board that the bond referendum was passed by voters, and that 12 understanding that tax increases may occur is part of the county's responsibility to communicate with 13 the public. 14 Vice-Chair Fowler said to Commissioner McKee's point of the increase in debt service, this was 15 the basis for her preference in keeping more pay-go last year to smooth out the increases. 16 Commissioner McKee said this Board and future boards will have the opportunity to delay 17 projects as needed. 18 Commissioner Bedford requested management suggestions for smoothing out the 2028-29 19 increase, possibly through project timing adjustments. 20 21 5. Public Hearings 22 a. Public Hearing on the Draft 2026-27 HOME Investment Partnership Annual Action Plan (AAP) 23 The Board held a public hearing to receive public comment on the Draft 2026-27 HOME Investment 24 Partnership Annual Action Plan (AAP). 25 BACKGROUND: The HOME Consortium Local Government Affordable Housing Collaborative (LGAHC) is 26 made up of elected officials from all four (4) participating jurisdictions: Carrboro, Chapel Hill, 27 Hillsborough, and Orange County. The Collaborative reviews staff recommendations on strategy and 28 policy around HOME federal funding, and makes recommendations to the Boards and Councils of each 29 jurisdiction for final approval. 17 1 The Annual Action Plan shares how Orange County plans to use HOME funding in a given year. The 2 Orange County Board of Commissioners is conducting this public hearing on behalf of the HOME 3 Consortium at the Whitted Building (300 W. Tryon St., Hillsborough NC 27278) to receive public input 4 about priorities for the Draft 2026-27 Annual Action Plan. All members of the public are welcome, and 5 Spanish interpretation will be provided. 6 7 The 2025-29 HOME Consolidated Plan is carried out through Annual Action Plans. The Consolidated Plan 8 describes the jurisdiction's community development priorities and multiyear goals based on an 9 assessment of housing and community development needs, an analysis of housing and economic market 10 conditions and available resources. The Annual Action Plans provide a concise summary of the actions, 11 activities, and the specific federal and non-federal resources that will be used each year to address the 12 priority needs and specific goals identified by the Consolidated Plan. 13 14 The public comment period is open from March 23, 2026 to April 23, 2026. Comments may be submitted 15 in writing by mail or email, or by telephone to: 16 17 Alex Rubenstein, Community Development Program Manager 18 919-245-2490 1 arubenstein@orangecountync.gov 19 300 W.Tryon St., Hillsborough, NC 27278 20 21 Housing staff issued a request for proposals (RFP) in January 2026, with a deadline of February 27, 2026. 22 Two (2) applications were submitted — one (1) from Habitat for Humanity of Orange County for its 23 Rehabilitation program, and one (1) from the Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness (OCPEH) 24 for tenant-based rental assistance (TBRA). Both applications align with the 2025-29 Consolidated Plan 25 priorities of Repair/Rehab and Tenant-Based Rental Assistance. 26 27 Last year, the HOME Consortium received a federal funding award of approximately $375,000. Over the 28 last four (4) years, the award amount has varied from a low of$367,000 to a high of$411,000. The U.S. 29 Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announces the award amounts around June of 30 each year, and until then staff is using an estimate/placeholder of $375,000 for the County's award 31 amount. 32 33 Given the above factors, plus an estimated match amount of approximately $84,000, the LGAHC 34 recommendation for the 2026-27 HOME Award is to award Habitat's full funding request at $180,000, 35 and to award the remaining funds of$256,239 to OCPEH for TBRA. 36 37 Based on all comments received, the 2026-27 HOME Investment Partnership Annual Action Plan (AAP) 38 will be presented at an upcoming Board Business meeting for final approval. 39 40 Blake Rosser, Housing Director, made the following presentation: 41 42 18 1 Slide#1 HOME Public Hearing,+-2026-27 Annual Action Plan (AAP) April 7, 2026 ORANGE COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA 2 3 4 Slide#2 Estimated available funds for 202W HOME 26-27 HOME Award Amount $375,940 Match Amount $84,587 Program Income* $13,306 Administration ($37,594) TOTAL $436,239 *Annual payments made by Community Home Trust for previous assistance to The Landings at Winnmore ORANGE COUNTY • i +* NORTH CAWLINA � s�z H anti 5 6 Blake Rosser, Housing Director, presented the annual action plan for HOME spending. The 7 estimated available funds for 2026-27 totaled approximately $436,000, calculated by averaging recent 8 years' awards ($375,000), adding required municipal match (25%), adding program income from 9 Community Home Trust's Landings at Winmore development, and subtracting 10% administration costs. 10 19 1 Slide#3 Proposed funding allocation Habitat for Humanity Repair& $180,000* Rehabilitation OC Partnership to End Tenant-Based Rental $256,239 Homelessness Assistance (TBRA) Administration $37,594 TOTAL $473,833 *Includes required 15%set-aside for Community Housing Development Organization(CHDO); by regulation 15%of HUD funds must be allocated to such a designated organization. Habitat qualifies as a CHDO. OR W0 ORANGE COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA ?T 5ti TM CA&0 3 Blake Rosser said the Local Government Affordable Housing Collaborative recommended 4 allocating $180,000 to Habitat for Humanity for repair and rehabilitation programs and $256,239 to the 5 Partnership to End Homelessness for tenant-based rental assistance through their rapid rehousing 6 program. The Habitat amount included the mandatory 15% Community Housing Development 7 Organization set-aside. 8 9 Slide#4 Next Steps • Board holds public hearing and offers any comments of its own • Public comment period ends April 23,d, 2026 • May- Staff presents AAP final draft to LGAHC for approval and recommendation to Boards/Councils • May-Towns and County approve final plan (May BOCC meeting), contingent on notification of final allocation amounts from HUD • July/August- Staff submits plans to HUD (July/August, once final allocation amounts announced) 10 �y ORANGE COUNTY o 1 'b z NORTH CAROLINA 7 5. RTM CARS e 10 20 1 Blake Rosser noted he had already received the actual award amount of$381,000, earlier than 2 previous years, allowing immediate submission after board approval in May. 3 4 Slide#5 Questions? • Blake Rosser • brosser@orangecountync.gov • 919-245-2492 we ORANGE COUNTY h ` NORTH CAROLINA A 5 6 Commissioner Carter asked about potential coordination with NC DEQ's septic pass-through 7 program for urgent septic repairs that might offset some repair needs. 8 Blake Rosser agreed to share this information with Habitat and the Home Preservation Coalition. 9 10 A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Bedford, to open the 11 public hearing. 12 13 VOTE: UNANIMOUS 14 15 There was no one signed up to speak. 16 17 A motion was made by Commissioner Greene, seconded by Vice-Chair Fowler, to close the public 18 hearing. 19 20 VOTE: UNANIMOUS 21 22 Blake Rosser said the Annual Action Plan will be presented at an upcoming Business meeting for 23 final approval. 24 Commissioner Bedford highlighted that $256,000 was going to rental assistance, more than last 25 year's approximate $228,000 combined allocation. She asked why only Habitat applied for repair 26 funding. 27 Blake Rosser explained that the Home Preservation Coalition is purely a coordinating entity with 28 one and a half staff members that doesn't perform actual repair work but coordinates repair agencies 29 and triages applications. 30 Commissioner Bedford asked if the repair providers are at capacity. 31 Blake Rosser speculated that the stringent federal documentation and record-keeping 32 requirements may be considered barriers by some agencies, though Habitat was expanding their repair 33 and rehabilitation programs and actively seeking additional funding sources. 34 Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked for clarification about tenant-based assistance eligibility. 21 1 Blake Rosser confirmed that while technically available to very low-, low-, and moderate-income 2 individuals, the Partnership uses these funds specifically for people exiting homelessness through their 3 rapid rehousing program. 4 5 b. Zoning Atlas Amendment—Parcel Identification Number(PIN)9851433215, Bingham Township 6 The Board considered taking action on a County-initiated Zoning Atlas Amendment to amend the Jordan 7 Lake Unprotected Watershed Overlay District and University Lake Protected Watershed Overlay District 8 boundary line on one unaddressed parcel totaling approximately 19.4 acres (PIN: 9851-43-3215). State 9 law requires that Orange County hold a public hearing, receive the Planning Board and staff 10 recommendations, allow for public comment, close the public hearing, and vote on a zoning application 11 presented for action. 12 13 BACKGROUND: Protected Watersheds within Orange County are part of the County's delegated 14 Stormwater Management Program, as reflected in the adopted Orange County Watershed Boundary 15 Map. These watersheds are also adopted Zoning Overlay Districts in the Unified Development Ordinance 16 (UDO), requiring approval of a Zoning Atlas Amendment to modify the watershed overlay boundary line. 17 18 Based on State requirements, the Board was notified of the change in the watershed boundary line at 19 the March 18, 2025, BOCC meeting. The March 18, 2025, BOCC agenda item materials are available at 20 this link: http://server3.co.orange.nc.us:8088/WebLink/O,0/doc/74970/Pagel.aspx. 21 22 Please note that the Property Identification Number (PIN) referenced in those materials is different than 23 the PIN used for this application, as the subject property was subdivided (as documented in Orange 24 County Register of Deeds Plat Book 129/53) and new PINS were assigned to the resulting lots, per the 25 County's PIN Ordinance. 26 27 Following this action, the Orange County Planning & Inspections Director initiated a Zoning Atlas 28 Amendment application on December 10, 2025, to amend the Jordan Lake Unprotected Watershed 29 Overlay District and University Lake Protected Watershed Overlay District boundary line. This second 30 action is necessary so that the zoning overlay boundary line coincides with the now State-recognized 31 watershed ridge line. The Staff Report in Attachment 1 contains additional information, maps, and 32 analysis. The Project Narrative contained in Attachment 2 provides additional background information 33 related to this request. 34 35 Requirements: As detailed within 2.8 of the UDO, Zoning Atlas Amendment submittals are required to 36 contain: 37 1. A completed Zoning Atlas Amendment application; 38 2. A map, at a legible scale, showing the land proposed for rezoning; 39 3. A detailed narrative; and 40 4. Plan review fee(s) consistent with the adopted Orange County Fee Schedule. 41 [Note: As a County-initiated action, no review fees were collected] 42 43 Basic Review Process: A rezoning application for an overlay district amendment requires submission of a 44 detailed area map and other documents, in accordance with Section 2.8.3(A) of the UDO. A site-specific 45 plan is not required for overlay district amendment applications and conditions cannot be applied to an 46 approval action.The application was reviewed as follows: 47 FIRST ACTION—Staff holds a Development Advisory Committee Meeting. 22 1 STAFF COMMENT: The Development Advisory Committee Meeting was held on December 18, 2025, at 2 9:30 a.m.,via Microsoft Teams. 3 SECOND ACTION — The Planning Board reviews the application at a regular meeting and makes a 4 recommendation to the BOCC. 5 STAFF COMMENT: The Planning Board reviewed this application at its regular meeting on February 4, 6 2026, and voted unanimously to recommend approval of the amendment. 7 THIRD ACTION — The BOCC receives the Planning Board and staff recommendations at an advertised 8 public hearing and makes a decision on the application. 9 STAFF COMMENT: The public hearing is scheduled for April 7, 2026. 10 11 Public Notifications: In accordance with Section 2.8.7 of the UDO, notices of the Public Hearing were 12 mailed via first class mail to property owners within 1,000 feet of the subject parcel. These notices were 13 mailed on March 20, 2026— 18 days before the hearing. Staff also posted the subject parcel with signs 14 on March 20, 2026—18 days before the hearing. 15 16 Planning Board Recommendation: The Planning Board reviewed the Zoning Atlas Amendment at its 17 February 4, 2026 regular meeting. At this meeting the Planning Board voted unanimously to 18 recommend approval of the Statement of Consistency (Attachment 3) and the proposed Zoning Atlas 19 Amendment (Attachment 5), as presented. 20 21 The Planning Board's signed statement of consistency is included in Attachment 3. Agenda materials 22 from the February 4, 2026, meeting, including the draft minutes can be viewed at the following link: 23 https://www.orangecountVnc.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/ 03042026-2536. 24 25 Planning Director's Recommendation:The Planning Director recommends approval of the: 26 Statement of Approval and Consistency indicating the overlay zoning district amendment application is 27 reasonable and in the public interest, as contained in Attachment 4. 28 Zoning Atlas Amendment Ordinance to reflect the zoning overlay change on the County's adopted Zoning 29 Atlas, as contained in Attachment 5. 30 31 Taylor Perschau, Current Planning and Zoning Manager, made the following presentation: 32 33 Slide#1 Attachment 6 ORANGE COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA Item 5b: Zoning Atlas Amendment Watershed Protection Overlay Location An unaddressed parcel off Dodsons Crossroads at Arden Estate Court PIN:9851-43-3215 Applicant Orange County Case#:MA25-0006 34 23 1 Taylor Perschau explained that the property was subject to three subdivision applications, with 2 one already recorded, and commissioners had seen this property before in March 2025 as step one of 3 the two-step process for watershed protection overlay amendments. 4 5 Slide#2 Watershed Protection in Orange County Watersheds Roanoke Ri ---_--- c eex �larorenenl '�rorececV Critical and Protected Water Supply ° Watersheds are part of Orange County's delegated Stormwater Management g g 1 �'4�0 r Program. E . The watersheds are regulated as - e Haw C eek Watershed Protection Overlay District, a zoning overlay. ors Any changes to mapped watershed boundaries require an amendment to the Zoning Atlas since the watersheds are aww�, °P� ;� OW`Y. mapped as a zoning overlay district. paOeCa Vez ORANGE COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA 6 7 Taylor Perschau explained that the watershed protection overlay districts are part of Orange 8 County's delegated stormwater management program. Any change to watershed boundary lines, which 9 are ridge lines surveyed based on site contours, requires a zoning atlas change. 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 24 1 Slide#3 Designated Review Process for Watershed Boundary Amendments Step 1 Formal Notification: Boundary line discrepancies are identified by survey fieldwork. Property owner submits a request to Planning Department to amend a watershed boundary line. Planning staff notifies Board of County Commissioners and NC Environmental Management Commission of the proposed boundary line change. Step 2 Zoning Atlas Amendment: With no objections from BOCC or EMC, Planning staff initiates Zoning Atlas Amendment to update the County's Zoning Atlas to reflect the accurately surveyed watershed boundary lines. ORANGE COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA 2 3 4 Slide#4 Timeline of Actions Regarding MA28006 Step 1 Formal Notification: A new survey including this watershed boundary was recorded as a sealed land survey at the Orange County Register of Deeds on September 23, 2024. The owner, Jason Maslow, submitted a request to the Orange County Planning Department to recognize the surveyed watershed boundary. The Orange County BOCC approved a recommendation that the State of North Carolina recognize the survey's description of the watershed boundary at its March 18, 2025, meeting. The NC EMC approved recognition of the new watershed boundary on October 3, 2025. Step 2 Zoning Atlas Amendment: Planning staff initiates this Zoning Atlas Amendment on December 10, 2025, to align the County's Zoning Atlas to reflect the accurately surveyed watershed boundary lines. �— ORANGL wUNTY NORTH CAROLINA 5 25 1 Taylor Perschau indicated that a new survey commissioned by property owners was recorded in 2 September 2024. The boundary change would move the line south, placing more of the property in 3 Jordan Lake unprotected rather than University Lake protected watershed. 4 5 Slide 5 Zoning Atlas Amendment MA25-0006 Case Information • Watersheds Roanoke River Basin ------"'----- -k im Address Dodsons Crossroads �P�IN9851-43-3215 ' Township Bingham pK ir� ;.r oaa„m,a Watershed University Lake Protected r B— Applicant Orange County 'k ' 6 7 8 Slide#6 Zoning Atlas Amendment MA25-0006 Current Zoning Designations • • • Proposed Zoning Atlas Amendment Current Zoning ■ RB,Rural Buffer Surrounding Zonin • RB,Rural Buffer as • AR,Agricultural Residential Overlay Districts ■ University Lake Protected <»:,s • Jordan Lake Unprotected 4 e ctetl \ Pro Q PIN 9851aa1t5 win 9 26 1 Slide#7 Zoning Atlas Amendment MA25-0006 Application Request • • -• Proposed Zoning Atlas Amendment Request ■ Modify the University Lake Protected Watershed Overlay District boundary line. J°rtl°n Lakc ■ No amendments are proposed to the base zoning district,or Future Land Use Map. ........ \ 9851433316 e &g ' 6 Cano Creck lln.vera lly Pl tottetl Protcc�a/d s�pn �Pr ew a a n Q PIN�51.33R,5 wMary 2 3 4 Slide#8 Zoning Atlas Amendment MA25-0006 Original Survey Work ,Overview • -• - z a s � x r ,�1 a�.a��—f -'p°�vu aww rnLm�`w o�rir cw..x�i•. `(°"� � A '�F nax - °"f" 5 27 1 Slide#9 Staff Analysis As required under Section 2.8.5 of the LIDO,the Planning Director shall cause an analysis to be made of the application. In analyzingthis request,the Planning Director offers the following: 1. The application is complete in accordance with the requirements of Section 2.8.3 of the UDO. 2. The Orange County Development Advisory Committee fully reviewed the application and has no outstanding concerns. 3. Staff review of the application included considerations for how the request relates to the Orange County 2030 Comprehensive Plan. ■ Chapter - Planning Principles ■ Chapter 5 - Land Use Element,Section 5.6 Goals ORANGE COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA 2 3 4 Slide#10 Public Notification ■ Notices were mailed via first class mail to property owners within 1,000 ft. of the subject parcel on March 20, 2026. ■ Signs posted the subject parcel on March 20, 2026. ■ Application information has also been posted on the Planning Department's "Active Development" webpage. ORANGE COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA 5 6 2s 1 Slide#11 Review Process at Present Planning Staff • Determine application completeness and analyze proposed Zoning Atlas Amendment with Comprehensive Plan Planning C•. • • Hear from the applicant,staff,and the public • Review and discuss analysis and staff recommendation • Recommend approval or denial to Board of County Commissioners : •. • of • Commissioners • Schedule and hold public hearing to receive application • Hear from the applicant,staff,and the public • Review and discuss analysis and recommendations from staff and Planning Board • Close public hearing ORANGE COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA 2 3 4 Slide#12 Recommendation forTonight The Manager recommends the Board: 1. Conduct the public hearing and receive the Planning Board and staff recommendations and public comments; 2. Close the public hearing;and 3. Vote to Approve the Statement of Consistency (Attachment 4) and Zoning Atlas Amendments(Attachment 5); • OR • Vote to Deny the Zoning Atlas Amendments, including a statement as to why the application is not reasonable and/or not in the public interest. ORANGE COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA 5 6 29 1 A motion was made by Vice-Chair Fowler, seconded by Commissioner Greene,to open the public 2 hearing. 3 4 VOTE: UNANIMOUS 5 6 There was no one signed up to speak. 7 8 A motion was made by Commissioner Greene, seconded by Commissioner McKee, to close the 9 public hearing. 10 11 VOTE: UNANIMOUS 12 13 A motion was made by Commissioner Bedford, seconded by Vice-Chair Fowler, to Approve the 14 Statement of Consistency(Attachment 4) and Zoning Atlas Amendments (Attachment 5). 15 16 VOTE: UNANIMOUS 17 18 6. Regular Agenda 19 None. 20 21 7. Reports 22 a. Presentation of School Enrollment Forecast 23 The Board received a report and presentation from Carolina Demography on enrollment projections for 24 both school districts. 25 26 BACKGROUND: Over the past three (3) years the SAPFOTAC, a technical advisory committee 27 representing the County, the Towns of Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Hillsborough, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City 28 Schools (CHCCS) and Orange County Schools (OCS), have discussed making improvements to the School 29 Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (SAPFO) enrollment projection, based on commonly identified 30 limitations of the process. 31 32 At the December 10, 2024 Business meeting, the Board of County Commissioners authorized staff to 33 provide notice to the parties of the SAPFO memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that the student 34 projection methodology will be changed to be one employed by OREd or Carolina Demography. On 35 March 16, 2025, the SAPFOTAC held its annual meeting, and received presentations from both 36 consultants. The six (6) entities voted unanimously to recommend Carolina Demography to provide the 37 future enrollment projections. The technical advisory committee appreciated the variety of variables 38 that were used in Carolina Demography's previous enrollment projections, including population 39 estimates, births, approved developments, and charter school enrollment. Carolina Demography 40 provides enrollment projections for Wake County and Brunswick County. The Board approved use of 41 Carolina Demography at the April 15, 2025 Business meeting and approved the contract on at the 42 December 1, 2025 Business meeting. 43 44 The report from Carolina Demography breaks down the various local, statewide, and national 45 demographic factors that impact enrollment for both districts — aging population, declining birthrate, 46 school choice market share, loss of international migration, and new developments. The change in 47 international migration has only begun to occur in the last year, and so presents challenges for the long- 30 1 term projection. The impact of federal policies on international migration and school enrollment will 2 need to be followed in subsequent enrollment forecasts. 3 The ten-year enrollment projection estimates that enrollment in the CHCCS district will decline by 1,070 4 students, or 10% and OCS will decline by 593 students, or 9%.The major challenges identified for CHCCS 5 is declining birthrate in the district and declining in-migration post-Covid.The major challenges identified 6 for OCS are declining market share and possible out-migration from birth to kindergarten, as well as a 7 lack of new development to offset these decreases. 8 9 Kirk Vaughn, Budget Director, introduced the presentation, explaining this was the culmination 10 of changes to the forecasting process over recent years, moving from internal modeling to external 11 expertise.This was the first year of Carolina Demography presenting on underlying enrollment variables. 12 He noted the forecast showed declining enrollment, meaning there is no need to build additional school 13 facilities. He introduced Nathan Dollar, Executive Director of Carolina Demography. 14 15 Nathan Dollar made the following presentation: 16 17 Slide#1 Forecast Report: . • D Daily • ' • • School Years1 . • • 2035-36 Orange Board ofCommissioners s� Dr. Nathan Dollar, PhD Executive Director, Carolina •• • Data for the People Christopher Dick President, Demographic Analytics Advisors l�l •• .• • HY 18 19 20 21 22 23 31 1 Slide 2 About Carolina Dernography we are NorthCarolina Demography is the applied clemography unit of the Carolina Population Center(CPC) at UNC-Chapel Hill. We are a non-partisan team of population scientists working for the people of Our • We help people understand a changing North Carolina to make informed decisions. CAROLINA —� • .•- •• .• • -•- UNC � POPULATION CENTER ' 1 • HY 3 4 Slide#3 About Demographic Analytics Advisors Our team brings decades of experience working on demographic, forecasting, and districting use cases in the public(state, local, and federal), nonprofit, and private sectors. Demographic Analytics Advisors We merge state of the art methodology with a collaborative engagement style to generate the best results for our clients. CAROLINA carol CAR 0 L I N A ilJ � C POPULATION CENTER DEMOGRAP HY 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Slide#4 About Carolina Demography: What We Do /1\ Find and Collect Clean, Analyze, & Communicate data and Data Interpret Data engage stakeholders We work with you to determine We use rigorous methods to We strengthen the capacity the data you need, and where translate the data and provide of your organization to and how to access that data. meaningful context. communicate data-driven ideas. 7�T� CAROLINA carol inademography.cpc.unc.edu CAROLINA ii Il V 1 V POPULATION CENTEF DEMOGRAPHY How do we approach an enrollment forecast? 33 What is an enrollment forecast... and what it isn't What is it? What isn't it? g o likely"scenario based planning .. . . . .. . d complete],if used will on all inputs. correctly and .. in questioned. be in 10 years. 2 Nathan Dollar noted we are experiencing some of the most demographic uncertainty in the 3 general population that has been seen in 50 years, which was affecting student membership 4 populations. 5 6 Slide#7 Key Considerations — Forecasts General Considerations: North Carolina Specific Considerations: 1. Historical Enrollment Patterns 1. The impact of The Opportunity Scholarship Program 2. School Capacity and Attendance Zones expansion 3. Demographic processes 2. Charter School proliferation • Births • Migration • Age,sex, race,Hispanic Origin trends 4. Built environment 1. Building permits 2. Known development areas(especially residential) and timing 5. Economics 6. COVID-19 CAROLINA C A R O L I N A carol inademography.cpc.unc.edu DEMOGRAPHY POPl1LATION CENTER 7 8 Nathan Dollar explained that their methodology considered historical enrollment patterns, 9 school capacity and attendance zones, demographic processes (births, migration, age, sex, race, Hispanic 10 origin trends), the building environment including approved and proposed developments, economic 34 1 variables, COVID-19 impacts, and North Carolina-specific factors like opportunity scholarship expansion 2 and charter school proliferation. He said they also look at homeschool trends. 3 4 Slide#8 Key Considerations — Forecasts (cont.) Bold=Complete Italics=Future Work We begin with a weighted grade progression methodology • Look, by school and feeder school patterns,at the ratio of students in the prior grade last year, versus current grade this year. Ratio larger than one implies in movement, lower than one attrition or out movement. • Forecast this ratio into the future. We tested several different weighting regimes and finalized with a 10 year weighted average with weighting skewed slightly to more recent data. Added in housing-based growth by attendance zone Compared differences based on GPR vs housing growth Added in net additional students based on housing growth. Adjust for changes in market share CAROLINA carolinademography.cpc.unc.edu CAR 0 L I N A, UV� POP D E M 0 G R L P H Y 11LATION CENTER 5 6 7 Slide#9 P, vivel Context 9 10 Slide#10 35 State Population Continues to Increase, but... North Carolina Estimates and Forecast 2010 to 2060 15,000,000 10,000.000 1� 5,000,000 0 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050 2060 Source:OSBM Population Projections,2025 fpT TV T�T� CAROLINA carolinademography.cpc.unc.edu CAROLINA .'ryl V 1 POPULATION CENTER DEMOGRAPHY 1 2 Nathan Dollar noted that North Carolina is the third fastest growing state by population. 3 4 Slide#11 School Aged Population Share is on the Decline. North Carolina Estimates and Forecast:Population Percent by Age 2010 to 2060 100 75% 50 25% 0% 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050 2060 65&Over ■ 35 to 44 ! 13 to 24 ■ Under 5 Years ■ 45 to 64 ■ 25 to 34 ■ 5 to 17 Source:OSBM Population Projections,2025 CAROLINA carolinademography.cpc.unc.edu CAROLINA DEMOGRAP HYaUV� POPULATION CENTER 5 6 Nathan Dollar said that despite North Carolina's population growth, the state's school-age 7 population is decreasing. 8 9 36 1 Slide#12 This Year 8 LEAs Grew, Only One by over 100 ADM Month 2 ADM Changes,2025-26 vs.2024-25,Selected LEAS NUMERIC CHANGE FROM PERCENTAGECHANGE RANK 2025-26 2024-25 FROM2024-25 North Carolina 0 1,345,074 -23,457 -1.7% Washington County Schools 1 1,001 26 2.7% Asheville City Schools 2 3,797 78 2.1% Brunswick County Schools 3 13,669 194 1.4% Haywood County Schools 4 6,333 35 0.6% Alleghany County Schools 5 1,286 7 0.5% Orange County Schools 77 6,716 -192 -2.8% Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools 85 10,758 -341 -3.1% Martin County Schools 131 2,416 -131 -5.1% Jones County Schools 112 903 -51 -5.3% Elkin City Schools 113 1,156 -70 -5.7% Roanoke Rapids City Schools 114 2,439 -159 -6.1% Granvilie County Schools 115 5,860 -413 -6.6% 'Source:Month 2 ADM by LEA,North Carolina Public Schools Statistical Profile,NC DPI CAROLINA carolinademography.cpc.unc.edu C A R 0 L I N A I TJNC POPULATION CENTER DEMOGRAPHY 2 3 Nathan Dollar explained that only eight of 115 local education agencies gained students in 2025- 4 26, with only one gaining over 100 students. He said Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools lost 341 students 5 (3.1%decline) and Orange County Schools lost 192 students (2.8% decline). 6 7 Slide#13 Population Change Orange County 9 10 37 1 Slide#14 Orange County Population is Growing, but has been revised down the past two years. Orange County Population Projections:Vintage Comparison 2020-2060 by Vintage Year 250,000 205,290 200,000 _ ' ' 184,202 150,000 134,070 100.000 50,000 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045 ,050 2055 2060 Vintage 2024 2025 Soun»e;NC OSBM Population Projections;vintage 2024 and 2025 II T ETC CAROLINA carolinademography.cpc.unc.edu CAROLINA lJl V POPULATION CENTER DEMOGRAPHY 2 3 Nathan Dollar explained that Orange County's overall population projections were revised from 4 205,290 residents to 184,202 by 2060, reflecting ongoing demographic uncertainty, including fewer 5 births, reduced migration, and educational market share diversification. 6 7 Slide#15 Chapel Carrboro City Schools 9 10 38 1 Slide#16 CHCCS: Total District ADM: 2015-16 to 2035-36 12,500 12'2 7sa 10,000 �'�' -•�F s lea 7,500 5,000 2,500 0 2016 2018 2020 2022 2024 2026 2028 2030 2032 2034 2036 II T NC CAROLINA carolinademography.cpc.unc.edu CAROLINA lJl V POPULATION CENTER DEMOGRAPHY 2 Source:Principal's Monthly Report(PMR 2)2016-2026;DAA calculations 3 Nathan Dollar said for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, the total district ADM was projected to 4 continue declining to 9,688 students by 2035-36, having lost 1,545 students since 2019-20. 5 6 Slide#17 Number of births in Chapel Hill/Carrboro on the decline 1,000 750 661 55447 •-536 520 r 500 m 250 0 2016 2018 2020 2022 2024 2026 2028 2030 2032 2034 2036 Year CAROLINA carolinademography.cpc.unc.edu CAROLINA GVVC POPULATION CENTER DEM0G P H Y 7 Source:NC Birth Records,NC State Center for Health Statistics,DAA forecast 8 Nathan Dollar said that the number of births in Chapel Hill-Carrboro had declined and was 9 forecast to continue declining but level off. 10 11 Slide#18 39 Kindergarten-to-birth ratio >1 indicates in-migration of families with young children and has declined since 2019- 2020, but is still positive. 1000 1.18 1.24 1.31 1.24 1.21 750 — h 1.06 1.02 1.18 1.21 1.02 500 — 250 0 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 ■Babies born 5 years earlier—Kindergarten T TV T�T� CAROLINA carolinademography.cpc.unc.edu CAROLINA V 1 POPULATION CENTER DEMOGRAPHY 1 Source:Principal's Monthly Report(PMR 2)2016-2026;NC Birth Records,NC State Center for Health Statistics,DAA forecast 2 3 4 Slide#19 CHCCS: Changes in Migration, Especially Internationa Migration are Impactful. Headcount of English Language Learners:2016-17 through 2025-26 1,621 1,415 1,454 1,496 1,462 1,413 1,314 1,277 1,311 1,349 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 Data Source:Headcount of Limited English Proficient Students, Report to the North Carolina General Assembly,NC DPI CAROLINA carolinademography.cpc.unc.edu CAROLINA M DEMOGRAPHY P H Y1LNC POPULATION CENTER 5 Source:Principal's Monthly Report(PMR 2)2016-2026;NC Birth Records,NC State Center for Health Statistics,DAA forecast 6 Nathan Dollar explained that changes to foreign-born population significantly impacted 7 enrollment, with English Language Learner headcount declining for the first time since the pandemic. 8 Chapel Hill-Carrboro lost 208 ELL students this year alone. 9 10 Slide#20 40 CHCCS Still Holds Over 80% Market Share, Several Percentage Points Higher than the State Average Market share by School Type:2021-22 through 2024-25 10 0% ® m � = 9% 9% 9% 75% d- 50% 21% T TV T�T� CAROLINA carolinademography.cpc.unc.edu C A R O L I N A V 1 POPULATION CENTER D E M 0 G R L P H Y 1 Source:Principal's Monthly Report(PMR 2)2016-2026;NC Birth Records,NC State Center for Health Statistics,DAA forecast 2 3 Slide#21 Orange County Schools 4 5 6 7 8 41 1 Slide#22 OCS: Total District ADM: 2015 -16 to 2035-36 OCS: K-12 ADM Development Adjusted Forecast 7,513 6477 722 ,6r129 6,000 4,000 2,000 0 2016 2018 2020 2022 2024 2026 2028 2030 2032 2034 2036 Source:OCS;DemographicAnalylicsAdvisois(DAA)Forecast II T �T� CAROLINA carolinademography.cpc.unc.edu CAROLINA lJl V POPULATION CENTER DEMOGRAPHY 2 Source:Principal's Monthly Report(PMR 2)2016-2026;DAA calculations 3 For Orange County Schools, Nathan Dollar said the district is projected to decline to 6,129 4 students by 2035-36, having lost 649 students since 2019-20. 5 6 Slide#23 Number of births in OCS have increased, but are forecast to begin declining OCS Births:Actual and Projections(2016-2036) 1.000 750 �598 • r����580 r 500 505 'ln 250 0 2016 2018 2020 2022 2024 2026 2028 2030 2032 2034 2036 Year Soerce:NC Birth Records,NC State Center/or Health Statistics,Demographic Analystics Advisors(DAA)Forecast CAROLINA carolinademography.cpc.unc.edu CAROLINA GVVC POPULATION CENTER DEM0G P H Y 7 Source:NC Birth Records,NC State Center for Health Statistics,DAA forecast 8 Nathan Dollar explained that while births had increased recently in Orange County, they were 9 forecast to begin declining toward the end of the decade, which could accelerate if fewer working-aged 10 people moved in. 11 Slide#24 42 Kindergarten-to-birth ratio <1 indicates less children enrolling in Kindergarten than births 5 years prior. OCS:Kindergarten-to-Birth Ratio 800 600 1.2 1.13 1.04 1.13 .99 .91 .88 •89 79 .8 68 400 200 0 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 Babies born 5 years earlier■Kindergarten Souttre:PrietiPa MONNy Repot(PMR2)201&=5;NCeUh Racatls,NC Sb Centerhr NeaXh Stall T TV T�T� CAROLINA caroIinademog rap hy.cpc.unc.edu CAR 0 L I N A V 1 POPULATION CENTER DEMOGRAPHY 1 Source:Principal's Monthly Report(PMR 2)2016-2026;NC Birth Records,NC State Center for Health Statistics,DAA forecast 2 Nathan Dollar said Kindergarten-to-birth ratios were well below one, indicating out-movement 3 either through physical migration or enrollment in charters, homeschools, or private schools. 4 5 Slide#25 OCS: Changes in Migration, Especially International Migration are Impactful. Headcount of English Language Learners:2016-17 through 2025-26 1,043 975 976 807 771 769 802 722 671 592 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 Data Source:H-danont of U.#ed English Proficient Students, Report to the North Caroline GemmiAssembly,NC DPI CAROLINA C A R O L I N A jl�j carolinademography.cpc.unc.edu POPULATION CENTER DEMOGRAPHY 6 Source:Principal's Monthly Report(PMR 2)2016-2026;NC Birth Records,NC State Center for Health Statistics,DAA forecast 7 Nathan Dollar said Orange County Schools' ELL headcount has steadily increased, almost 8 doubling from 2015-16 to 2024-25, but saw a significant dip this year, similar to other districts. 9 43 1 Slide#26 OCS Marketshare Has Held Steady Since 2021 -22, 202! 26 Numbers in July Will Be Important. Market share by School Type:2021-22 through 2024-25 u% 12% 12% 12% 75% 50 25% 0% 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 Home Schools Private Schools 0 Charter Schools 0 OCS Source:Pnnclpel's Monthly Report(MR 2)"1&"25;NC DR,NC DOA II T carolinademography.cpc.unc.edu JEC CAROLINA POPULATION CENTER DEMOGRAPHY 2 Source:Principal's Monthly Report(PMR 2)2016-2026;NC Birth Records,NC State Center for Health Statistics,DAA forecast 3 4 Slide#27 CAROLINA DEMOGRAPHY u Work With Us Sign up for our Contact us via newsletter: our website: What questions •• you have Qo �■ ~�■ , •• • community? What data do you need to make •- decisions? Affbk carolinademography.cpc.unc.edu GUNC � POPULATION CENTER CAROLINA 6 Commissioner McKee observed that fewer students with the same infrastructure meant higher 7 per-student costs for both the county and school systems. He wondered whether people moving in 8 simply don't have children or if people were having fewer children overall. 9 Nathan Dollar confirmed both factors were at play - people are having fewer children globally, 10 and Orange County's highly educated population tends to delay childbirth and have fewer children. He 11 noted there is evidence that people don't have as many children as they want, and the area is 44 1 experiencing reduced net migration both internationally and domestically, plus educational market share 2 diversification. 3 Commissioner Carter asked about Orange County's working-age in-migration compares to its 4 neighbors. 5 Nathan Dollar confirmed Wake County had significantly more working-age in-migration, noting 6 Wake was much larger and not an apples-to-apples comparison. After incorporating development data, 7 they adjusted forecasts upward slightly, but noted some development types wouldn't yield as many 8 students as others. 9 Chair Hamilton asked about how development types affect student yield. 10 Nathan Dollar explained they ground-truth developments by visiting sites, reviewing marketing 11 materials, estimating completion timelines, applying census tract occupancy rates and market share 12 assumptions. Single-bedroom apartments yield fewer students than multi-family or single-family 13 dwellings, and much of the current development included smaller units like studios and one-bedrooms. 14 Vice-Chair Fowler said she found this report very interesting and hopes it was shared with the 15 school districts as well. She appreciated the granular school-level detail and noted clear enrollment 16 drops after COVID and recent federal administration immigration policies. She expressed hope that 17 policy changes might reverse trends, emphasizing the importance of annual updates rather than 18 planning for the full 10-year period based on current projections. 19 Nathan Dollar said that immigration policy could absolutely affect student membership, but 20 noted it isn't the only factor at play. 21 22 b. Discussion on Strategic Communications Approaches 23 The Board discussed and considered possible approaches to the County's Strategic Communications 24 efforts and provided direction to staff. 25 26 BACKGROUND: The County formed a Strategic Communications Work Group (Work Group) on June 17, 27 2014, as part of a three-phased approach to developing a Strategic Communications Plan. The original 28 Work Group included the Deputy County Manager, County department representatives designated by 29 the County Manager, and two members of the Board of Commissioners. The Work Group met 30 periodically, but also experienced periods of inactivity. The Work Group, as most recently comprised, 31 included two members of the Board of Commissioners and the Community Relations Director. 32 33 The BOCC discussed the Work Group at its November 11, 2025 work session and agreed by consensus to 34 sunset the Work Group's work. 35 36 This item provides the opportunity for the Board to discuss possible approaches to the County's Strategic 37 Communications efforts for the future and provide direction to staff. 38 39 Community Relations Director, Wil Glenn, explained they were developing a comprehensive 40 communication and engagement plan, that is due to the county manager in June. The plan will include 41 eight broad goals and strategies mapping opportunities to collaborate with residents and gather input 42 and feedback. 43 Wil Glenn made the following presentation: 44 45 45 1 Slide#1 ORANGE COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA Strategic Communications Wil Glenn Community Relations Director April 7, 2026 2 3 4 Slide#2 Strategic Communications Work Group • Established in 2014 (Communications Committee) • Purpose: To develop a Strategic Communications Plan (part of a three- phased approach) • Original Work Group Composition: — Two Members of the Board of Commissioners — Deputy County Manager — County Department Representatives(designated by County Manager) • Most Recent Work Group Composition: — Two Members of the Board of Commissioners — Community Relations Director • Sunset on Nov. 11,2025 ORANGE COUNTY 2 NORM I I AROI_INA 5 6 7 Slide#3 Current Landscape • The Work Group was Sunset on Nov. 11, 2025. • No Formal Communications Advisory Body Currently Exists. • The Strategic Communications and Engagement Plan (due in June 2026)will include opportunities to collaborate with residents and gather input on communications initiatives and functions. a ORANGE R-FHcq OUN�TY 8 46 1 Slide#4 Strategic Collaboration Options • Ongoing Community Listening Sessions — Topic-specific,held throughout the year — Open to all residents,rotating locations • Project-Based Stakeholder Groups — Short-term input groups tied to specific initiatives(e.g.,website redesign,bond referendums) — Disband after project completion • Periodic Board Updates at BOCC Meetings — Updates and feedback loops with Commissioners — Keeps oversight with BOCC rather than a separate body ORANGE COUNTY 4 NORTH CAROLINA 2 3 4 Slide#5 Strategic Collaboration Options (Continued) • Engagement Tools — Surveys,polls,and feedback forms integrated into County platforms,events and meetings — Broader participation without formal structure • Department-Level Engagement — Direct outreach by departments based on service area needs — Tailored,subject-matter-specific feedback ORANGE COUNTY 5 NORTH CAROLINA 5 6 7 Slide#6 Board Discussion and Direction Board Discussion and Direction 8 47 1 Chair Hamilton noted she had petitioned for a strategic communications advisory group to 2 provide ongoing feedback to community relations about how residents receive information and what 3 works for them. She saw this as addressing a gap, having served on the strategic communications work 4 group for two years when it was just commissioners and the communications director, which she felt was 5 ineffective for obtaining community input. She emphasized any advisory group would be advisory only, 6 providing input rather than creating policy, and could help address challenges like low listening session 7 turnout while creating community ambassadors. 8 Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked about events mentioned under engagement tools. 9 Wil Glenn explained these included both community events outside county government and 10 county department events, noting they were trying to embed the Orange County roadshow within 11 existing events rather than creating standalone events, going to people instead of expecting them to 12 come to the county. 13 Commissioner Carter suggested commissioners might participate in listening sessions on a 14 rotating basis as open dialogues where residents could sign up in advance for topic-specific discussions. 15 This could boost participation and provide regular community connection opportunities. She also 16 supported project-based stakeholder groups for targeting specific initiatives with focused 17 communication strategies. 18 Commissioner Bedford agreed with project-based approaches, citing examples like the tax work 19 group's strategic social media timing around key decisions. She suggested piloting listening sessions but 20 noted the need to be careful about campaigning versus listening on behalf of the board, referencing 21 Chapel Hill-Carrboro Schools' PTA council-sponsored offsite meetings with specific parameters. She 22 preferred not to create another advisory board and was more interested in staff recommendations in the 23 June report. She also noted recent successful crisis communications during events like winter storms, 24 emphasizing staff's role in handling press and follow-up coordination. She observed that residents 25 typically don't care about government activities until they need information when something affects 26 them directly. 27 Commissioner Portie-Ascott supported providing access to commissioners for community 28 members who might not typically reach out or attend meetings, particularly given the need to rebuild 29 trust after the revaluation issues. She wanted to be available at community events to hear concerns 30 before they escalate to formal complaint levels. 31 Vice-Chair Fowler appreciated multiple information-gathering approaches and supported going 32 out to meet people rather than expecting them to come to meetings. She noted most people don't care 33 until issues directly impact them and suggested the Board meeting was the appropriate forum for public 34 input. She was hesitant about regular commissioner listening sessions if attendance would be poor, and 35 didn't support creating another advisory group. 36 Commissioner Greene liked all the ideas presented by staff but agreed against creating a new 37 work group or standing committee. 38 Commissioner McKee related the challenge to sensory overload, noting people have lives to live 39 and generally only engage when government imposes on them too much, with the county providing 40 ways for them to communicate when needed. 41 Chair Hamilton said she is hearing a consensus for ongoing community listening sessions, 42 project-based stakeholder groups, and periodic updates in the form of information items. 43 Commissioner Carter said it would be nice to receive quarterly updates. 44 The Board reached consensus on receiving quarterly updates and holding project-based 45 stakeholder groups. 46 The Board continued discussing commissioner involvement in listening sessions. 48 1 Commissioner Carter proposed listening sessions tied to projects or topics as a pilot, 2 acknowledging the trust deficit requiring commissioner time investment balanced against staff time. She 3 saw value in commissioners receiving direct community input they might not get otherwise. 4 Commissioner Bedford said having listening sessions tied to the project-based initiatives would 5 make more sense. 6 Commissioner Portie-Ascott said she wants to be available to hear from the public. She said she 7 would like to get in front of controversial future issues to address community concerns. 8 Commissioner Carter said she agrees with tying sessions to specific topics as a pilot. 9 Commissioner Greene asked what constituted a pilot, leading to discussion about the format. 10 Commissioner Carter suggested that two commissioners could lead each session. 11 Chair Hamilton proposed that there be three pilot sessions so that each commissioner has a 12 chance to participate. 13 Commissioner Bedford distinguished between two purposes: rebuilding trust/community 14 availability versus communicating information and gathering input. She said she preferred staff-led topic- 15 specific sessions while commissioners maintain community relationships through other venues like 16 organizational meetings and community events. 17 The discussion revealed complexity around meeting notice requirements when multiple 18 commissioners attend, with Clerk to the Board Laura Jensen noting that four or more commissioners 19 conducting county business would trigger open meetings law requirements, including advanced notice, 20 minutes, and agendas. 21 Commissioner McKee emphasized keeping sessions informal, though acknowledged formal 22 requirements if multiple commissioners attended. 23 Chair Hamilton proposed returning to this discussion after further consideration, moving 24 forward with project-based stakeholder groups and periodic board updates while thinking more carefully 25 about listening session formats and goals. 26 Commissioner Carter asked when they would return to the topic. 27 Chair Hamilton indicated that the chair and vice chair would review the schedule during their 28 regular meeting reviews. 29 30 c.Americans with Disabilities Act(ADA) and Orange County's Online Content 31 The Board received a report on the changes to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines and 32 how they will impact County business. 33 34 BACKGROUND: The 2024 update to the Americans with Disabilities Act sets a new standard for making 35 government websites and digital services accessible by requiring compliance with WCAG 2.1 Level AA. 36 Essentially, this means Orange County's online content (websites, forms, PDFs, and service portals) must 37 be easier to see, use, and understand for people with disabilities, especially visual and hearing 38 disabilities. The update puts more focus on mobile access, clearer navigation, and making sure all users 39 can complete tasks without barriers. For Orange County, this will require reviewing and fixing existing 40 content, building accessibility into new projects, and ensuring staff and vendors follow these standards 41 going forward.Jurisdictions of Orange County's size need to meet these requirements by April 24, 2026. 42 43 Paul Slack, Chief Civil Rights Officer, made the following presentation: 44 45 49 1 Slide#1 ORANGE COUN I r NORTH CAROLINA ADA Guidelines Update Presentation April 7t", 2026 2 3 4 Slide#2 Background • In 2024, the DOJ released new guidance on the ADA, stating that public-sector websites and social media need to update their online services to comply with WCAG 2.1 Level AA. —This update primarily concerns making content compatible with screen readers for people who are blind or hard of seeing;accessibility of content on mobile screens;accessible audio content for people who are hard of hearing;clearer navigation on websites; an overall ability to complete tasks without barriers. • That guidance goes into effect on April 24, 2026. ORANGE COUNTY NORTI I CAROLINA 5 6 7 Slide#3 Guideline Changes 1. Page structure and headings 1. Must follow a specific format to be compatible with screen readers. 2. Plain-language content and 2. Aiming for 7ffi-grade reading level readability 3. See 1. 3. Accessible PDFs 4. All images and videos need text to describe them.Videos need to be 4. Image alternative text subtitled 5. Page layout consistency and 5. Web pages should be consistent to content consolidation promote predictability for users. 6. Old,outdated material should be 6. Archiving and retiring retired to clear web pages. unnecessary content ORANGE COUNTY 3 NORTH CAROLINA 8 50 1 Vice-Chair Fowler asked if acronyms will also be going away with accessible language. 2 Paul Slack said that will also be part of this effort. 3 4 Slide#4 What We Have Done to Date • Established an ADA Steering Committee and Work Group to identify the best ways to meet this guidance. • Acquired the software Aquia and Equidox to aid in auditing our digital spaces to understand the scope of our remediation needs. • Hosted county-wide trainings to teach employees how to remediate out of compliance content and how to create new, compliant content. • Hosted weekly work sessions and lunch and learns for employees working on the remediation efforts and new content creation. • Met 1 on 1 with departments to answer specific questions about how the update will impact them. • Met with Civic Plus to get an understanding of their timeline of remediation for parts of our website that they control. ORANGE COUNTY 4 NORTH CAROLINA 5 6 7 Slide#5 Orange County ADA Based Digital Core Principles • Accessibility FIRST design In practice: • Plain language — Single column layouts • Consistency and ease of use — Use headings for web pages,Word does {Bold text is not a heading} • Public-centered content — Short paragraphs — Bulleted lists — AVOID JARGON — Use alt text — Creating an accessible Word Doe makes creating an accessible PDF much easier ORANGE COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA 8 9 10 51 1 Slide#6 Staff Responsibilities • Content • Links • Images • Layouts ORANGE COUNTY 6 NORTH CAROLINA 2 3 4 Slide#7 Current Training & Readiness Snapshot ( 1 /2) Where We Are Today Scope • 31 departments have had at least one person trained. • Minimum standard:2 remediators trained per department Training Completion • 75 staff members have completed the 2-day remediation training • 98 staff members have completed the 1-day content creator training • 3 departments have no one trained for remediation ORANGE COUNTY 7 NORTH CAROLINA 5 6 7 52 1 Slide#8 Current Training & Readiness Snapshot (2/2) New Content Training: Weekly on Goals Thursdays • Train between 150 and 250 Time: Alternating between 9 am— content creators (98 trained so far 12 pm and 1 pm and 4 pm in this cycle) Participants: up to 20 • All current content creators Format: In person trained before the end of April. ORANGE COUNTY 5 NORTH CAROLINA 2 3 4 Slide#9 Planning Dept. Agenda Packet Items (1/3) • Current Practice —Includes Abstract, Staff Report, Application with Supplemental Materials, Staff/Agency Reviews & Reports, and Approval Materials —Includes numerous third party materials and technical reports l is- ORANGE COUNTY y NORTH CAROLINA 5 6 7 53 1 Slide#10 Planning Dept. Agenda Packet Items (2/3) • Planning profession standard is to only feature summary/abstract, staff analysis, and approval materials • Professional staff reviews the application & technical materials and reports any concerns/conditions to the boards ORANGE COUNTY to NORTH CAROLINA 2 3 Commissioner Bedford asked about providing links to removed materials for both board and 4 community access. 5 Paul Slack said that Cy Stober is working on determining the best method to deliver the 6 information. He said it is a challenging problem since anything posted online after April 24, 2026 must be 7 compliant. 8 Commissioner Greene said it would be important to the Board and the community to still have 9 that information available. 10 11 Slide#11 Planning Dept. Agenda Packet Items (313) • New Practice —Packets will be reduced from 100+pages to 10-20 pages —Abstract, Staff Report, and Approval Materials —We are reducing the packets because staff cannot remediate third party materials and technical reports, including applications —Aligns Orange County with the professional standards of peer communities (Chapel Hill, Durham, Mecklenburg Co., Wake Co.) ORANGE COUNTY « NORTH CAROLINA 12 13 14 S4 1 Slide#12 Biggest Barriers to Compliance • Funding — We have the resources needed to facilitate standard remediation and creation but remediating documents from the 1960s-1990s is challenging in addition to remediating long,technical documents. • Staff support/personnel — Remediation is time consuming and pulls people away from their main roles, with some departments struggling to meet their service responsibilities and ADA work at the same time. • Time — The guidelines go into effect in 3 weeks, and the scope of the updates needed has proven significant with many departments struggling to meet the deadline. .ram ORANGE COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA 2 3 4 Slide#13 CRCL Suggested Timelines (1/2) • January 30 — Depts need to have their digital assets prioritized and sorted.Directors should work with the team to identify the most crucial documents and pages.All legal services should be included. — All employees involved in ADA efforts should be identified,and there should be a plan for them to attend training. — Depts should have a meeting with all employees involved in ADA remediation and create a work plan for how they will make time for ADA remediation.This work plan should include prioritization information for what is most critical. • February 17 — Depts should complete a review of their web pages and delete all unnecessary pages, removed purely decorative images,and remediated their homepages and department pages.Community Relations has created a Style Guide outlining a consistent look for all department pages.This will be sent to department directors by next Friday. �� ORANGE COUNTY 13 NORTH CAROLINA 5 6 7 55 1 Slide#14 CRCL Suggested Timelines (212) • March 31 — Depts should complete remediation of high-touch/traffic web pages and PDFs — Depts should complete adding Alt text to the remaining images on their webpage. • Auril24 — Depts should be actively remediating remaining web pages and PDFs that are required to remain online or Depts have chosen to keep online but are not high touch. — Online videos should have a transcript and subtitles added. ORANuE COUNTY 14 NORTH CAROLINA 2 3 Vice-Chair Fowler said it seems vast and detailed, but important to the people who need this 4 done. 5 Chair Hamilton thanked Paul Slack for the presentation, noting the tremendous amount of work 6 involved and uncertainty about accessibility improvements versus potential difficulties for some users. 7 8 8. Consent Agenda 9 0 Removal of Any Items from Consent Agenda 10 11 Commissioner McKee removed 8-k from the consent agenda. 12 13 • Approval of Remaining Consent Agenda 14 15 A motion was made by Vice-Chair Fowler, seconded by Commissioner McKee, to approve the 16 remaining consent agenda. 17 18 VOTE: UNANIMOUS 19 20 • Discussion and Approval of the Items Removed from the Consent Agenda 21 22 Commissioner McKee requested to table item 8-k (Resolution Authorizing Loan to Orange Grove 23 Fire District) to the April 21, 2026 meeting due to the absence of fire department representatives. 24 Chair Hamilton invited public comment on this item. 25 26 PUBLIC COMMENT: 27 Susan Walser expressed surprise at seeing the $1.7 million loan for Rocky Ridge Fire Station 28 Number 2 on the agenda without prior community awareness. Her concerns included lack of 29 transparency with no meaningful communication to district residents about the project's purpose, 30 budget, or progress; unclear justification for the investment without demonstrated ISO rating 31 improvement or clearly defined community benefit; the station not being staffed 24/7; and ongoing lack 56 1 of notification about meetings, board elections, and financial decisions. She requested the Board delay 2 loan approval until there was community engagement by the Orange Grove Board of Directors. 3 4 Commissioner Bedford clarified that the board was not approving the fire district's project, 5 which was already approved by the fire district board in October with bids opened in March and tax 6 increases approved in June. The county's role was to allow the fire district to borrow through the 7 county's spring financing to get lower rates rather than obtaining a bank loan, with the fire district 8 paying back the same amount as the debt service. She emphasized this was different from approving the 9 project itself and that community members should work with their fire district board rather than the 10 county commissioners. 11 12 Commissioner McKee made a motion to consider this item on April 21, 2026. The motion was 13 seconded by Commissioner Portie-Ascott. 14 15 VOTE: Ayes, 5 (Commissioner McKee, Commissioner Greene, Commissioner Carter, Chair Hamilton, 16 Commissioner Portie-Ascott); Nays, 2 (Vice-Chair Fowler and Commissioner Bedford) 17 18 MOTION PASSES 19 20 a. Minutes for March 5, 2026, March 10, 2026, and March 17, 2026 21 The Board approved the minutes for the March 5, 2026, March 10, 2026, and 17, 2026 Board of 22 Commissioners Meetings, as corrected. 23 b. Motor Vehicle Property Tax Releases/Refunds 24 The Board adopted a resolution to release motor vehicle property tax values for three (3) taxpayers with 25 a total of three (3) bills that will result in a reduction of revenue. 26 c. Property Tax Releases/Refunds 27 The Board adopted a resolution to release property tax values for eight (8) taxpayers with a total of 28 eleven (11) bills that will result in a reduction of revenue. 29 d. Public Safety Telecommunicators Week Proclamation 30 The Board approved a proclamation recognizing the week of April 12-18, 2026, as Public Safety 31 Telecommunicators Week in Orange County, highlighting First Responders for the amazing work they do 32 throughout the year. 33 e. Earth Day Proclamation 34 The Board approved a proclamation designating April 22, 2026, as Earth Day in Orange County. 35 f. Native Plant Month Proclamation 36 The Board approved a proclamation designating April 2026 as "Native Plant Month" in Orange County. 37 g.Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Proclamation 38 The Board approved a proclamation designating April 10, 2026 as Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day in 39 Orange County. 40 h. Volunteer Week Proclamation 41 The Board approved a proclamation declaring April 19-25, 2026, as "Volunteer Week" in Orange County. 42 i. Application for North Carolina Education Lottery Proceeds for Orange County Schools (OCS) to Draw 43 Down Funds from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction 44 The Board approved an application to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) to 45 release proceeds from the NC Education Lottery account related to FY 2025-26 debt service payments 46 for Orange County Schools (OCS). 47 57 1 j. Application for North Carolina Education Lottery Proceeds for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools 2 (CHCCS)to Draw Down Funds from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction 3 The Board approved an application to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) to 4 release proceeds from the NC Education Lottery account related to FY 2025-26 debt service payments 5 for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools (CHCCS). 6 k. Resolution Authorizing Loan to Orange Grove Fire District for Fire Station Improvements as Part of 7 FY 2025-26 Spring Financing and Approval of Budget Amendment#8-A 8 The Board approved a resolution authorizing a loan to the Orange Grove Fire District in the amount of 9 $1.7 million for capital improvements to Fire Station#2 and approve Budget Amendment#8-A. 10 I.Approval of Multi-Year Contract for Licensing and Support of Server Infrastructure 11 The Board authorized the Manager to execute a multi-year maintenance and support contract with 12 Carahsoft Technology Corporation in the amount of$225,552.88 for the renewal of server infrastructure 13 licensing and support. 14 m. Construction Contract Change Amendment for Piedmont Food Processing Center HVAC 15 Replacement 16 The Board: 17 1) Approved the County issuing a construction change amendment with Brady Services, Inc. for the 18 replacement of the existing kitchen exhaust hood control panels at the Piedmont Food Processing 19 Center; and 20 2) Authorized the County Manager to execute the change, subject to final review by the County 21 Attorney, and any subsequent amendments for contingent and unforeseen requirements up to 22 the approved budget amount on behalf of the Board. 23 n. Authorization of Funding for Four (4) Priority County Solar Projects to Secure Federal Direct Pay 24 Incentives and Approval of Budget Amendment#8-B 25 The Board: 26 1) Approved full funding for four (4) priority solar installation projects which will take advantage of 27 Direct Pay solar incentives under the Inflation Reduction Act; 28 2) Authorized the County Manager to execute an agreement with the responsive/ responsible 29 bidder following the bid process, subject to final review by the County Attorney, and to approve 30 any subsequent amendments for contingent or unforeseen needs within the approved budget on 31 behalf of the Board.; and 32 3) Approved Budget Amendment#8-B. 33 o. FY 2025-26 Memorandum of Understanding Renewal for the Orange County Partnership to End 34 Homelessness(OCPEH) 35 The Board approved an interlocal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) renewal with the towns of 36 Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Hillsborough to jointly fund the Orange County Partnership to End 37 Homelessness (OCPEH). 38 p.Approval of Shelter Renewal Contract with Inter-Faith Council 39 The Board approved a contract renewal with the Inter-Faith Council (IFC) for IFC's Shelter program in 40 Orange County, providing shelter services to residents seeking housing assistance. 41 q.Approval of Agreements for School Sales Tax Recapture 42 The Board adopted a resolution approving agreements between Orange County and its two school 43 systems to facilitate the recapture of a portion of sales taxes paid on County-funded school capital 44 expenditures. 45 46 9. County Manager's Report 47 Travis Myren reminded the board of upcoming meetings and topics. 48 58 1 10. County Attorney's Report 2 John Roberts announced that the legislative committee on property tax would meet again next 3 week. He said he would share a link with the Board to view the meeting. 4 5 11.Appointments 6 None. 7 8 12. Information Items 9 0 March 17, 2026 BOCC Meeting Follow-up Actions List 10 • Tax Collector's Report—Numerical Analysis 11 • Tax Collector's Report—Measure of Enforced Collections 12 • Tax Collector's Report—In-Rem Foreclosure Progress Report 13 • Tax Assessor's Report—Releases/Refunds under$100 14 • Memorandum—Opioid Litigation Settlement Report 15 • Memorandum—Countywide Strategic Plan Mid FY 2025-26 Progress Report 16 • Memorandum — Recognition of County Employee Retirements from January 1, 2026 through 17 March 31, 2026 18 19 13. Closed Session 20 None. 21 22 Adjournment 23 24 A motion was made by Vice-Chair Fowler, seconded by Commissioner Carter, to adjourn the 25 meeting at 9:45 p.m. 26 27 VOTE: UNANIMOUS 28 29 Jean Hamilton, Chair 30 31 32 Recorded by Tara May, Deputy Clerk to the Board 33 34 Submitted for approval by Laura Jensen, Clerk to the Board Attachment 2 1 1 DRAFT MINUTES 2 ORANGE COUNTY 3 BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 4 WORK SESSION 5 April 14, 2026 6 7:00 p.m. 7 8 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met for a Work Session on Tuesday,April 14, 2026, at 7:00 9 p.m. at the Southern Human Services Center in Chapel Hill, NC. 10 11 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Jean Hamilton,Vice-Chair Amy Fowler, and Commissioners 12 Jamezetta Bedford, Marilyn Carter, Earl McKee, and Phyllis Portie-Ascott 13 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Commissioner Sally Greene 14 COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT: John Roberts 15 COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Travis Myren, Deputy County Manager Caitlin Fenhagen, 16 and Clerk to the Board Laura Jensen. (All other staff members will be identified appropriately below) 17 18 Chair Hamilton called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. All commissioners were present, except 19 for Commissioner Greene. 20 21 A motion was made by Vice-Chair Fowler,seconded by Commissioner Carter,to suspend the Rules 22 of Procedure to consider approval of a resolution opposing modifications to county property tax authority. 23 24 VOTE: UNANIMOUS 25 26 A motion was made by Commissioner Portie-Ascott, seconded by Commissioner McKee, to 27 opposing modifications to county property tax authority and authorize the Chair to sign. 28 29 VOTE: UNANIMOUS 30 31 1. Durham Tech Presentation 32 The Board received a presentation on various topics related to Durham Technical Community College. 33 34 BACKGROUND: Durham Technical Community College President JB Buxton will provide a presentation to 35 the Board on various topics including some College goals, the outlook for the future, the Orange County 36 K-12 Partnerships, County-supported Workforce initiatives, and the Orange County Campus 37 addition/renovation project. 38 39 JB Buxton made the following presentation: 40 41 2 1 Slide#1 DURHAM ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OCOMMISSIONERS BRIEFING Apri12026 2 3 JB Buxton introduced the presentation and Durham Tech staff in attendance at the work session: 4 Jackie Krohn, Executive Director of Orange County operations;Andy Kleitsch, Chief Finance Officer; Susan 5 Bowen, Head of Campus Operations; and Jerry Jones, Executive Director of the Center for Workforce 6 Engagement. 7 8 Slide#2 DURHAM 2021-2026 COLLEGE GOALS 0Enrollment Goal: 10% increase over pre-COVID Actual: 10% increase in degree-seeking students; 3% increase in continuing education students �t Completion Goal: 60% completion and transfer rate v Actual: 60% Wage Goal: 80% employment rate w/ livable wages Actual: Goal met in applied (CTE) programs; no state data for other program graduates durhamtech.edu 9 10 JB Buxton described Durham Tech's goals from 2021 to 2026. Their enrollment goal was a 10% 11 increase in student population. He said they have achieved that, along with a 3% increase in continuing 12 education students. He said that they've met their 60% completion and transfer rate. He said they met 3 1 their goal of an 80% employment rate with livable wages in the applied programs, but had no state data 2 for other program graduates. 3 4 Slide#3 DURHAM TECH OUTLOOK 1. The College is in growth mode: students, facilities, partnerships 2. Completion rates are up significantly: faster growth with traditionally low-performing groups, work still to do 3. Key areas of focus: Health and Life Sciences, Technicians and Transfer 4. Disruptions abound: artificial intelligence, federal cuts to R&D, local workforce shifts 5. Community impact: College looking to identify a local problem where we can marshal our assets to help improve ,/ durhamtech.edu - 5 6 7 Slide#4 ORANGE COUNTY K-12 PARTNERSHIPS Orange County Schools Chapel-Hill Carrboro County • Current efforts: Schools • Orange High School:increased Current efforts: the number of students pursuing • Enrollment of AVID dual enrollment courses with the (Advancement via Individual goal of earning a degree or Determination)students certificate prior to graduation • Automotive courses at Chapel • Current priority:Teacher Cadet Hill High to Associates in Teacher Prep • Software Development at East Chapel Hill High School ■ Goal: By 2030, 35% of Orange . Community Spanish Interpreting County Schools (OCS) at Carrboro High School graduates will have obtained a Goal: By 2030, 25% of CHCCS postsecondary credential graduates will have obtained a postsecondary credential durhamtech.edu - 8 9 10 4 1 Slide#S NCCU, UNC-CH & DUKE PARTNERSHIPS CONTINUING NEW ✓ NCCU Eagle Connect Transfer. ✓ NCCU Skilled Trades internships. Improving the Eagle Connect Durham Tech skilled trades students partnership. working as interns with NCCU ✓ UNC-Durham Tech Workforce Facilities Development Working Group. ✓ NCCU Social Work partnerships. Identifying opportunities for NCCU social work students doing internships and partnership in area clinical rotation to support students like clinical trials,medicine,data and Durham Tech counseling office. science. ✓ NCCU life sciences transfer ✓ Duke Nursing and Teaching initiative.Clear and broadened partnerships.Duke provides pathways into NCCU majors that academic supports and co-teaching align with life sciences. in select pathways. ✓ Duke Transfer initiative. First ✓ Durham Early College of Health phase with Pratt School of Sciences.Duke is providing major Engineering slated for Fall 2026, in-kind supports and committing to hire 50-60%of graduates. durhamtech.edu WFAF"q 2 3 4 Slide#6 COUNTY-SUPPORTED WORKFORCE INITIATIVES ■ Back to Work Scholarships ■ Orange:248 scholarships awarded to date($90,000 out of$100,000) ■ Small Business Center • Ramped up services for Spanish speakers and shifted focus from start-ups to employee retention and growth • Reached over 1,000 attendees in regional small business events ■ Apprenticeships ■ 13 companies with 129 apprentices in areas like health care, advanced manufacturing, life sciences and early childhood ■ Working at present to bring on 10 additional registered apprenticeship employer sponsors ■ Exploring College Sponsor model as way to increase numbers durhamtech.edu W. 5 6 7 5 1 Slide#7 Durham Tech Affordable Housing Project 902 5 Briggs Avenue,Durham(`12 acres I.25 miles from campus -� • 124 Affordable Housing Units • 30%.60%,70%AMI • 1-,2-,and 3-bedroom units Amenities-Community Building-library,computer lab,kitchen,exercise room Outdoor-Picnic shelter,benches,playground,forest,open green space,natural creek • Transportation Access(existing)-Bus stop(Rt-B).bike lanes,sidewalk tit } 1 - D U R H A M durhamtech.edu 2 3 JB Buxton shared a picture of an affordable housing project Durham Tech is building in Durham. 4 Susan Bowen continued the presentation: 5 6 Slide#8 ORANGE COUNTY CAMPUS ADDITION/RENOVATION ©SAMET n� - D U R N A M T EC H durhamtech.edu 7 8 Susan Bowen shared a picture of the Orange County campus addition and renovation project. She 9 said they plan to open in January 2027. 10 6 1 Slide#9 ORANGE COUNTY CAMPUS ADDITION/RENOVATION RENDERINGS durhamtech.edu -` 2 3 Susan Bowen shared a picture of how the addition and renovation will look once it is completed. 4 5 Slide#10 MAIN CAMPUS HEALTH & LIFE SCIENCES BUILDINGS Combined Sire Concept Plan ------- --tom — f =4 D U R H A M durhamtech.edt) 6 7 Susan Bowen shared a site concept plan for the main campus health and life sciences building in 8 Durham. 9 10 7 1 Slide#11 MAIN CAMPUS HEALTH & LIFE SCIENCES BUILDING RENDERINGS Hot"--- A; D U R H A M TECH durhamtech.edu 2 3 4 Slide#12 2026 LONG SESSION PRIORITIES Propel NC�Legislative Agenda for a New CommunitV College 2. Employee Recruitment and Business Model NC COMMUNITY Retention • Salary increase to keep up with inflation and reduce impact of potential health plan increases 1. Propel NC Funding Formula Maintain existing faculty • Better positions us in the Greater recruitment and retention funding Triangle region labor market Allow use across faculty and staff • Supports challenge of faculty recruitment/retention 3. Enrollment growth and other • Increase of—$2.5M compared to priorities existing funding formula Enrollment Growth funding • Overall$100M requestfor the system Apprenticeships supports • Short-term workforce training financial assistance • Board Appointments durhamtech.edu WFAF"q 5 6 8 1 Slide#13 DISCUSSION: • •A What issue or challenge could Durham Tech help . . . region?move the needle for the county and development,In addition to education and workforce improve community vitality and . 2 3 JB Buxton asked for the Board's feedback on areas they'd like Durham Tech to focus on. 4 Vice-Chair Fowler said she would like to see programs for people with IDDs in Orange and Durham 5 counties. 6 JB Buxton said there is a program starting this summer for students with IDDs. 7 Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked what the rental criteria are for the affordable housing project. 8 JB Buxton said it is based on low-income housing tax credit eligibility. He said they have certain 9 thresholds, but he did not have the information with him. He said he would send it to the Board. 10 Commissioner Portie-Ascott said she participated in a meeting of the local chapter of the oldest 11 black real estate trade organization. She said there are folks that are blocked from buying or renting 12 homes because they don't understand credit and savings. She asked if Durham Tech could emphasize 13 basic credit, budgeting, and savings information into their programs. 14 JB Buxton said they have some financial education electives, but the classes are not a 15 requirement. He said they've worked with banks who gave classes to students and employees. He said 16 he would be happy to work with other resources and organizations. 17 Commissioner Carter said the programs and initiatives described in the presentation sounded very 18 interesting. She asked if the affordable housing project will house students. She asked if there is an 19 opportunity for something like this in Orange County. 20 JB Buxton said they would welcome a discussion about affordable housing in Orange County. He 21 asked for clarification on the student resident question. 22 Commissioner Carter asked if there is a residency requirement for students to live in the housing 23 project. 24 JB Buxton said students will not be required to live in the housing units that Durham Tech is 25 building. He said that they cannot restrict it to students, but they can market first to students. He said 26 they believe about 25%will be occupied by students. 27 Chair Hamilton said Durham Tech provides core services to the community through education. 28 She said housing is the priority issue in the region, and that some of the suggestions that have come up 29 are good. She commented that sometimes there are redundant programs with many groups working on 9 1 an issue like housing. She said Durham Tech's workforce and education programs are core for the 2 community. She asked about other types of community wide classes the college could offer, like 3 Commissioner Portie-Ascott suggested, around credit and financial literacy. She said that would be an 4 extension of the college's work in education and getting people ready for the work force. 5 JB Buxton appreciated Chair Hamilton's comments. 6 Vice-Chair Fowler asked if Durham Tech markets courses to schools. 7 JB Buxton said there is a college liaison that works with every school. He said in Durham they 8 have an applied credentials program for programs in 911 and criminal justice. He said they haven't done 9 as much in Orange County for applied credentials. 10 Vice-Chair Fowler expressed appreciation for Durham Tech's education and teaching programs. 11 JB Buxton said they need partners to help them market these opportunities to students. 12 13 2. Discussion on 2026 Longtime Homeowner Assistance Program 14 The Board discussed potential program changes for the 2026 cycle of the Longtime Homeowner 15 Assistance (LHA) program, which assists low-income Orange County homeowners with a discount or 16 rebate on their property tax bill. 17 18 BACKGROUND: The LHA program has completed its 5th year of assistance for Orange County 19 homeowners. In its first year the program assisted 91 households with the difference between their 2020 20 and 2021 tax bills,for a total of$16,364 allocated by Orange County.This past year,the program assisted 21 806 households with a formula-calculated amount based on over $500,000 in funding from Orange 22 County, Chapel Hill and Carrboro. 23 24 Over time,the program has not only grown but also changed in its emphasis,consistently looking for ways 25 to tweak the funding formula so that the most vulnerable households are prioritized. Staff recommends 26 the Board further refine the program policy to ensure that limited resources get to the households who 27 most need it. 28 29 To that end, staff is recommending that the Board discuss and consider raising the eligibility threshold of 30 the program from five (5) years of homeownership to ten (10) years, with exceptions allowed for family 31 transfers (which would be automatically granted eligibility regardless of period owning the home as long 32 as the new family member demonstrates income eligibility).. This policy change, if it had been in effect, 33 would have impacted 137 households in the 2025 cycle, lowering the amount of assisted households from 34 806 to 669,and would have allowed the program to distribute almost$62,000 more dollars to households 35 that bought their homes prior to 2016. 36 37 It should also be noted that Commissioner Earl McKee suggested at the Board's April 7, 2026 Business 38 meeting that the Board consider a "hold harmless" provision for Orange County taxes on properties 39 owned by residents aged 70 or older who have been in their homes for at least 20 years and earn less 40 than 30% area median income (AMI). 41 42 Based on the 2025 LHA recipients, this would impact approximately 100 households. This change could 43 be accomplished by ensuring that these households are awarded enough LHA assistance each year to 44 equal the total amount paid in the prior year (totalling tax paid minus LHA received), in perpetuity. Staff 45 would have to identify new households that meet these criteria for each successive year, and establish a 46 baseline tax payment for each of those households. It is difficult to estimate how many more households 47 would become eligible for this status in coming years, as there will be attrition in addition to new 48 homeowners that "age in"to the status. 10 1 2 As a supplement to this discussion, Board members asked staff various questions during the presentation 3 of the annual LHA report at the February 17, 2026 Business meeting. Those questions with answers are 4 presented here as follows: 5 6 • What accounts for the 225 "No Data" on the age demographics table, compared to last year's 7 zero? 8 o Last year two (2) staff members met with every applicant who had not fully completed 9 their application in order to assure they were complete. This year, with the increased 10 volume of applicants, this was not possible. That number serves as an indicator of the 11 percentage of applications that are submitted incomplete and required intensive follow- 12 up from staff. 13 14 • Income/Home Values 15 o 2025 Income Limits are below(full AMIs can be found at this link). Persons In Family 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Low (80%) Income 64,750 74,000 83,250 92,500 99,900 107,300 114,700 122,100 Limits ($) 16 17 o 2024 Home Value Limits are below (full limits can be found at this link). House Size 1 Bedroom 2 Bedroom 3 Bedroom 4 Bedroom Home Value Limit $403,000 $515,000 $624,000 $773,000 18 19 • Does the application reference the exception listed on the website for elderly and disabled 20 households? 21 22 o No. Because staff does not request home value on the application (that information is 23 accessed directly from tax records based on the Parcel ID number provide), possible 24 exceptions to the home value limit are not listed. 25 26 • Average/Median tax bill, as compared to 2024: 27 2024 2025 Increase Percentage Average Orange County $1,883.28 $1,967.86 4.5% Tax Bill Median Orange County $1,740.47 $1,855.22 6.6% Tax Bill 28 29 • Request to track home valuation by number of years owned: 30 Years Owned Number of Median Home Average Home (Purchased Year) Households Value Value 11 5-9 137 $305,350 $315,462 (2016-2020) 10-14 101 $314,350 $339,097 (2011-2015) 15-19 79 $315,300 $336,839 (2006-2010) 20-24 81 $363,550 $365,834 (2001-2005) 25-29 102 $322,800 $362,644 (1996-2000) 30+ 285 $317,950 $342,019 (before 1995) 1 2 • Breakdown of the amount of assistance and number of recipients of LHA by municipality and in 3 the unincorporated parts of the County: 4 Chapel Hill Carrboro Hillsborough Mebane Orange County Number of 149 84 224 107 242 Households Amount of $ 241,215.41 $86,606.50 $105,257.13 $39,748 $67,441.61 Assistance 5 6 Blake Rosser, Housing Director, introduced the item. He said that he had updated figures for the 7 Board and shared a handout. He made the following presentation: 8 9 Slide#1 ORANGE COUNTY HOUSING DEPARTMENT Discussion of CY26 Longtime Homeowner Assistance (LHA) Program April 14, 2026 10 12 1 Slide#2 LHA Completed 5th year • From 2021 to 2025, number of assisted households grew from 91 to 806 • Total program funds: $16,364 4 $509,805 • 2021 assistance based on simply the difference between 2021 and 2020 tax bill, no minimum/maximum • 2025 assistance based on need-based formula with minimum of $200 and target cost-burden reduction of 25% nORANGE COUNTY 0 HOUSING DEPARTMENT 2 3 Blake Rosser reviewed the assistance provided by the program over the last 5 years. He said they 4 served 806 families in 2025, compared to 91 in 2021. 5 6 Slide#3 Potential increase to eligibility threshold • Staff recommends increasing eligibility threshold from 5 years to 10 years • In 2025, 137 households would have been ineligible (i.e. owned home between 5 and 10 years) • Approximately$62,000 in assistance • Change would prioritize longest-tenured residents with higher assistance amounts • Exceptions for family transfers that have taken place more recently • Residents that bought homes since 2016, when home prices were high, may not have been originally intended program demographic nORANGECOUNTY 0 HOUSING DEPARTMENT 8 Blake Rosser said staff recommends increasing the eligibility threshold from 5 to 10 years. He said 9 staff wants to prioritize the longest-tenured residents with higher assistance amounts. He said they want 10 to give exceptions for family property transfers. 13 1 Slide#4 Potential "hold harmless" for most vulnerable residents • Commissioner suggestion to hold harmless effective tax increases for certain households: • At least 70 years of age • Owned home for at least 20 years • 30%Area Median Income (AMI) or less • In 2025, 100 households would have been eligible under these terms • Policy mechanism: LHA amount each year could be calculated for these households so that total amount paid (Tax minus LHA) = baseline amount set in CY26. nORANGECOUNTY 0 HOUSING DEPARTMENT 2 3 4 Blake Rosser reviewed the parameters for a potential "hold harmless" provision for the most 5 vulnerable residents as petitioned by the Board. He said for certain households would be held harmless 6 for future property tax increases. He said they recommend holding harmless households that are at least 7 70 years of age, owned the home for at least 20 years, and are at 30%Area Median Income (AMI) or less. 8 Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked if the property taxes would be held at the same amount until 9 the family has passed away or the homeowner. 10 Blake Rosser said the homeowner, or until the homeowner is no longer 70 years old. 11 Commissioner McKee added that it is until the home passes or transfers. 12 Vice-Chair Fowler said the exception is if the property passes to a family member, but that family 13 member would have to meet the eligibility criteria. 14 Blake Rosser said that was referring to the staff proposal. 15 Commissioner Carter asked if there is a regular check-in for eligibility. 16 Blake Rosser said they could create a verification program. 17 Commissioner Carter it would be just verifying income eligibility. 18 Vice-Chair Fowler noted that income is different than wealth. 19 Blake Rosser said they could consider a wealth eligibility checker, but it would be more difficult to 20 determine. 21 Chair Hamilton asked clarifying questions to make sure the staff proposal and commissioner 22 proposal were being considered separately. She asked if the home is inherited by someone else,the hold 23 harmless would not apply. 24 Blake Rosser said that was correct. He said they would lose the 20 years of ownership by that 25 point and would likely not be 70 years old. 26 Chair Hamilton said income could come from investments and that might not be captured. 27 Blake Rosser said without the backing of a federal program, they could only request that 28 applicants divulge all bank accounts and investment accounts. 14 1 Commissioner Portie-Ascott said in the scenario where a homeowner passes away and then the 2 home is inherited, could that person qualify. 3 Blake Rosser said under that scenario they would not qualify under the commissioner hold 4 harmless proposal. He said under the staff proposal,they could be considered for an exemption. 5 Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked if it is still possible if they don't live there. 6 Blake Rosser said they must live there. 7 Commissioner Carter asked the County Attorney to review the legality of the hold harmless 8 proposal. 9 John Roberts said the county doesn't have the authority to impact taxes that are imposed. He 10 said the county has the authority to provide programs for people based on their income. He said as long 11 as the program focuses on low and moderate income as the primary determining factor, it should be ok. 12 Commissioner McKee said he thought the program would be best run under the current grant 13 program structure. He said he wants to provide relief to the people who need it the most. He encouraged 14 the Board to keep the structure of the program simple. 15 Vice-Chair Fowler asked if there would be a maximum amount of assistance. She asked if the 16 current program had a maximum of$1,000 in assistance. 17 Blake Rosser said that is correct. 18 Commissioner McKee said he is open to discussion about the proposal. He noted that a 1 cent 19 tax increase on a $1 million home is$100. 20 Vice-Chair Fowler asked if an applicant could use both programs. 21 Commissioner McKee said it would be simpler to run it as a separate component to the Longtime 22 Homeowner's Assistance program. 23 Commissioner Carter suggested finding a way using the existing structure by refining it and 24 providing a higher award for someone who meets the extra criteria, of 20 years of ownership, and 30% 25 AMI. She said that would keep the county in the existing legal structure but also give an additional benefit 26 to those who need it most. 27 Commissioner McKee said he was open to any ideas. He explained his reasons for wanting to 28 create a program that helps vulnerable residents. 29 Commissioner Bedford supported the idea. She said it only applies to Orange County taxes. She 30 said this would be for people's primary residence. She gave an example of a household situation where 31 two elderly sisters live in a home, but only one owns it. She asked staff to keep an eye on potential 32 unforeseen circumstances. She said this is a good idea and if it needs to be tweaked after the first round 33 the Board could revisit. 34 Chair Hamilton said she liked keeping this within the existing Longtime Homeowner's Assistance 35 program, provided it meets legal requirements. She cautioned that there may be a time where the "held 36 harmless"group receives more in benefits than other groups. She requested more data on the proposal. 37 Commissioner McKee said the Board or future Boards can make adjustments as necessary. 38 Chair Hamilton cautioned against adjusting each year as it makes it difficult for people to plan. 39 Vice-Chair Fowler asked for more information on how the program would be administered. She 40 asked for clarification on if people could qualify for the Longtime Homeowners Assistance as well as a hold 41 harmless provision. 42 Commissioner McKee said the hold harmless would only apply to future tax increases. 43 Commissioner Bedford agreed with that interpretation and there would be no $1,000 maximum 44 for those folks. 45 Blake Rosser said assistance would increase each year if their taxes increased. 46 Vice-Chair Fowler asked if the Longtime Homeowners part would apply first, and then the county 47 would consider what ever they paid this year including that. 15 1 Commissioner Bedford said no. She said the new hold harmless program would be applied first. 2 She said there would not be any double dipping. 3 Commissioner Carter said they need to review what they can legally do and suggested the Board 4 and staff do more work on developing the project. She said she supported a tiered approach within the 5 Longtime Homeowner's Assistance program. 6 Commissioner McKee said this will take more work by the Board and staff to develop a program 7 to help homeowners from being taxed out. 8 Commissioner Bedford asked Vice-Chair Fowler she meant applicants would come through the 9 program for Chapel Hill or Carrboro funds. 10 Vice-Chair Fowler said she was trying to figure out how Longtime Homeowners Assistance and 11 hold harmless would work together. She said she preferred Chair Hamilton's and Commissioner Carter's 12 suggestion to prioritize. 13 Commissioner Bedford said $1,000 might not be enough, but it's a target. 14 Chair Hamilton asked staff for more information on how the proposal would work, including an 15 example case study, and the cost of the proposal. 16 Blake Rosser said he could extrapolate the 100 households to determine the cost. the staff 17 proposal would free up funds that could be used for the hold harmless proposal. 18 Vice-Chair Fowler said she is supportive of increasing the eligibility requirement to 10 years. She 19 recalled that the reason the program was originally changed because in the first year the county had only 20 used $16,000 and they thought they should open it up to more people. She said it was probably because 21 a lot of people didn't know about it. She said it was fine to go back to that. 22 Chair Hamilton said she remembered differently. She recalled that representatives from the 23 Jackson Center requested changes to support homeownership among young people, and that was the 24 reason they went to 5 years. 25 Blake Rosser said he would check on it. 26 Commissioner Carter thanked staff for their work on the proposals and administering the 27 programs. She emphasized the importance of municipal partnership conversations about the need and 28 how they can grow their contributions to the program. She said these conversations could help make the 29 program more robust. 30 Chair Hamilton asked if the other commissioners are interested in having those conversations 31 with the towns. 32 The Board indicated their agreement. 33 Blake Rosser said Chapel Hill increased their financial support and Carrboro participated for the 34 first time. 35 Commissioner Bedford asked if the eligibility requirements are on the application. 36 Blake Rosser said the requirements are all included in the formula. He said they can weigh that 37 formula however is preferred and introduce new criteria. He said it will be difficult to compare that to 38 the two-tier setup that was originally considered. He said at some point they will have to decide and try 39 it out. 40 Commissioner McKee thanked Blake Rosser for his efforts in helping him develop the proposal. 41 42 3. Draft Orange County Trails Plan 43 The Board reviewed the draft Orange County Trails Plan and provided direction to the consultant and staff 44 on next steps. 45 46 BACKGROUND: BACKGROUND: Based on trail planning discussions held with the Triangle Trails Initiative 47 and County Manager and Board members,the Board instructed staff in 2024 to develop a strategy for an 48 Orange County Trails Plan. While trails planning has occurred over the years on a case-by- case basis in 16 1 documents like the 2030 Parks and Recreation Master Plan and the Mountains to Sea Trail route adoption 2 (2018), a formal trails plan for the County has not existed. 3 4 A Request for Proposals was developed in the summer of 2024 and issued in September of that year. 5 Gensler was selected as the consultant to prepare the plan, and the contract was awarded at the Board's 6 Business meeting on December 10, 2024.As shown in the attached draft plan, project work got underway 7 with a project kickoff in January 2025 including the consultant, staff and the Parks and Recreation Council, 8 which serves as the steering committee for the Plan. 9 10 In March 2025, GIS mapping and data analysis began, including review of prior plan efforts and on-site 11 field visits to a number of potential trail locations based on preliminary assessments(summarized on page 12 14 of the draft plan and this process is also discussed in more detail in Sections 1-3 of the attached draft 13 Plan.) 14 15 Project goals were created from opportunities and challenges discussions held by the Parks and Recreation 16 Council in early 2025. Five (5) project goals were identified: 17 18 1. Spark enthusiasm for county trail connectivity with an equitable, inclusive and engaging 19 outreach process. 20 2. Develop a Trails Plan that reflects the community's vision and aligns with other County and 21 municipality efforts, such as the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan (currently underway). 22 3. Create a comprehensive network of connectivity between key points of interest including 23 work, home, school, commerce and public transit. 24 4. Expand access to excellent parks and recreation opportunities for a broader population, 25 especially in the rural areas of the county. 26 5. Identify new and existing connections to complete the Mountains to Sea Trail (MST) segment 27 in Orange County. 28 29 A process for public outreach and engagement is outlined in Section 3 of the draft Plan. This included a 30 project webpage, e-newsletters, social media campaigns, digital display graphics and flyers at parks, 31 among other efforts. Two (2) rounds of public engagement workshops were held in May and September 32 of 2025, with accompanying online surveys that allowed participants to take in the workshop experience 33 and provide feedback. Pop-up events were also held to try and reach out to other members of the public. 34 Respondents and attendees provided information about current use of trails and parks, points of interest 35 to be connected, and aspirational design vision. Individuals were also asked to prioritize different trail 36 possibilities and react to an initial prioritization created from the workshops, surveys,on-site analysis and 37 prior plans. 38 39 Note: Coordination with the staff and consultant for the ongoing Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan was built 40 into the Trails Plan effort as well. Staff and consultants participated in a joint workshop and both were 41 present at a community outreach event.The Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan is continuing and will be coming 42 to the Board later this year, and efforts to ensure consistency will be included. 43 44 From the work done throughout 2025, a set of six (6) guiding principles were determined reflecting 45 recurring themes from public engagement, meetings with the steering committee and alignment with 46 guiding plans.These are (as shown on page 38 of the Plan): 47 17 1 • Reflect Local Character 2 • Advance Access and Equity 3 • Prioritize User Safety 4 • Expand Travel Options 5 • Cultivate Community Wellness, and 6 • Design for Longevity. 7 8 All of the above work yielded a draft Plan that identifies nine (9) possible trails (three (3) of which have 9 alternative routes): 10 11 • Trail 1—UNC Campus to University Station (aka the J Branch Rail Trail) 12 • Trail 2 — Chapel Hill to Hillsborough (branching from Trail 1 along NC 86 to Waterstone and the 13 Town of Hillsborough trails system) 14 • Trail 3—Carrboro to Hillsborough (a road route along Old NC 86 to the Town of Hillsborough trail 15 system in Waterstone) 16 • Trail 4— Mountains to Sea Trail (MST/West-Two (2) alternatives connecting from the Alamance 17 County line to Seven Mile Creek Natural Area) 18 • Trail 5—Seven Mile Creek to Riverwalk (via Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area) 19 • Trail 6 — Mebane to Hillsborough (three (3) alternatives different points in Mebane to Panther 20 Branch Natural Area or Hillsborough Riverwalk) 21 • Trail 7—Cedar Grove Park to Kings Highway Park(nature trail via the Eno River to Hillsborough) 22 • Trail 8—Little River Park to Cedar Grove Park(Two (2) alternatives via Northeast Park and Breeze 23 Farm) 24 • Trail 9—Mountains to Sea Trail (MST/East—Eno River State Park to Durham) 25 26 The draft Plan includes pages that provide a brief overview summary of the potential trail, key 27 connections, length, and possible trail type, community needs addressed, required structures and 28 crossings,and potential construction challenges. (Note—feasibility assessments and cost estimates would 29 be created for each of these trails if approved as a part of the implementation process. The process for 30 creating a prioritization of the trail options is on pages 68-69 of the Plan.) 31 32 Based on the analysis in the plan, the highest priority trail is Trail 9 — MST via Eno River State Park to 33 Durham,followed by Trail 2—the Chapel Hill to Hillsborough route.The lowest prioritytrail identified is Trail 34 813—Little River Park to Cedar Grove Park. (These priorities are subject to future Board and staff discussion 35 and evaluation and are provided as a "first cut" of a priority scheme.) 36 37 Finally, the Implementation section of the Plan (page 70) looks at the trails and attempts to classify them 38 into three (3) levels of phasing — Near-Term Opportunities, Mid-Term Opportunities and Long-Term 39 Opportunities. The text box on page 73 outlines a possible course of action for the first 12 months of 40 implementation,subject to further discussion. Possible phasing categorization is offered as a starting point 41 for future discussion. 42 43 The Plan concludes with sections on partnerships,funding potential, and an outline of an implementation 44 plan. 45 18 1 Upon receiving initial direction and feedback from the Board, it is proposed that the draft Plan be 2 conveyed to relevant advisory boards for review and comment,to be returned to the Parks and Recreation 3 Council for formal comment and recommendation before Board of Commissioners consideration. 4 5 David Stancil, DEAPR Director, introduced the item and reviewed the goals of the draft trails plan. 6 He introduced Mikayla Hernandez from Gensler who drafted the plan for Orange County. 7 8 Slide#1 Draft Orange County Board of County Commissioners Worksession OWGI-COVY Gensler Trails Plan 10 1 1 Slide#2 CoverWhat We'll process01 Where we are in the principles02 What we heard from the communIty 04 Overview of the proposed trail network 05 How segments were prioritized i . Next steps 07 Feedback and . 12 13 14 19 1 Slide#3 Trails Plan Overview The Orange County Trails Plan provides a coordinated approach for connecting residents to the daily destinations that matter most-from parks and natural areas,to schools and libraries,to towns and transit. • Combines physical network concept and policy guidance • Consolidates years of planning work and community input • Clarifies the types of trails that fit best across the county • Built on evaluation of existing conditions and feasibility @rk Orange Co tyTr I,Plan I Board of County Camm[ssloners Worgsesrlon Aprd L4.M6 3 2 3 4 Slide#4 Orange County will be a place where a safe, inclusive network of trails connects people abilities A Vision for to each other,to nature,and to the Trail Connectivity places they love. The co-created vision served as the These trails will make it easy to project's"north star,"guiding the travel ike rather than proposed network,principles,and by foot ` ` implementation direction. car,encouragemovement, strengthen our . . foster equitable access to the natural beauty that defines the Piedmontregion. 5 6 7 Project Goals Five Trails Plan project goals were identified by the Orange County Parks&Recreation Council and highlighted by the community during the visioning process. 01 02 03 04 05 Spark enthusiasm Develop a Trails Create a Expand access to Identify new for a connected Plan that reflects comprehensive excellent parks and existing county trail network the community's network of and recreation trail segments with an equitable, vision and aligns connectivity opportunities fora to complete the inclusive,and with other county between key points broader population, Mountains to Sea engaging outreach and municipality of interest including especially in rural Trail(MST)section process. efforts,such as work,home,school, areas of the county. in Orange County. the Bicycle and commerce,and 20 Slide#5 Pedestrian Plan. public transit. 4 Slide •. processProcess at a Glance The Trails Plan i 2025 2026 JAN. FEB. MAR. APR. MAY JUNE JULY AUG. SEPT. OCT. NOV. DEC. JAN. FEB. MAR. APR. TASK 2 :• I I :• TASK 3 �b lost I Estimate TASKS &L AIL Dralt 0sange County Trails Plan Board ofCountyCommIsslo—Worksession I ApriII4,2026 6 21 1 2 Slide#7 How We Got Here The draft Trails Plan reflects what we learned through community visioning,draft network engagement,previous plans,and on-the-ground fieldwork across the county. Community Input & Previous& shaped the vision, '�, Ongoing Plans ¢r. guiding principles, (MST,Bike/Ped,greenway plans,Land Use Plan, and proposed etc.)set expectations for - network structure. connectivity. `a Fieldwork& Steering Committee GIS Analysis `- guidance helped confirmed where trails refine engagement, are feasible and where priorities,and draft constraints exist. recommendations. 6ra1t Orange Coumy 1-Is Plan Board ICounty Co—mi.nerrW 1.sslon April la,lo26 7 3 4 5 Slide#8 Who We Reached Public engagement reached residents across all seven townships,using both in-person and digital tools. 6'1 10 Vision Workshop O Draft Network 76 Pop-Up Event La Attendees Workshop Attendees V Participants Two hands-on sessions Two open-house style sessions Two tabling events at the County with interactive activities for residents to review and Roadshow and Soccer.com Center to define the community's provide feedback on the to take workshop content out aspirational vision and proposed trail network and into the community and reach shared priorities preliminary prioritization additional residents 7 Vision Survey 6 Draft Network Outreach methods included: L2 Respondents 5 Survey Respondents . Project webpage Online version of the Online version of the draft • E-Newsletters(123 sign-ups) visioning activities for network workshops to provide • Social media campaigns community members who a virtual alternative to in- • Printed flyers could not attend in person person engagement • Digital advertisements/graphics Nalt Orange County Trails Plan I Board of County Commissioners WorAwssbn Al 14,2026 6 7 Mikayla Hernandez reviewed the public engagement process, which included workshops, pop up 8 events, and surveys. She said they reached residents in all seven townships. She said they engaged 9 community members in visioning as well as a review of the draft network. 10 zz 1 Slide#9 What We Heard: Visioning Process Residents emphasized the importance of safe,connected trails that support daily movement and recreation across the county. Key Themes Priority Destinations 0 0 • Network of connectivity • Hillsborough Riverwalk Q • Connection to nature • Occoneechee Mountain Q • Safety • Blackwood Farm Park • Healthy movement • Brumley Nature Preserve • Inclusive design • Eno River State Park 0 Priority Connections 0 0 • Town-to-town connectivity between Chapel Hill,Carrboro, Q •.q9. Hillsborough,and Mebane • Quiet,nature-based corridors where feasible • Regional connectivity,especially the Mountains to Sea Trail (MST) segment in Orange County Drafa Orange County Trails Plan B—d of Caunty Ca mm luw..MO—ion April19,2026 19 2 3 Mikayla Hernandez reviewed feedback from the visioning process. She said they also asked 4 residents to draw their personal priorities for connectivity across the county, which is shown on the left 5 side of slide#9. 6 7 Slide#10 What We Heard: Network Feedback After reviewing the proposed draft network,guiding principles, and preliminary prioritization,community feedback focused on how the trail segments would function on the ground. What people responded Questions&concerns positively to raised by the community • Completing gaps in the • Separation and safety on Mountains to Sea Trail road-adjacent routes • Longer,continuous • Potential impacts to nature-based routes creeks and natural areas • Clear town-to-town • Privacy near certain rural connections segments • Long-term maintenance expectations Draft Orange Coumy Trails Plan Board MCuunty Worksess Apnl 14,2026 10 8 9 10 Slide#11 23 Inputs Inputs Inputs Inputs What we heard What we heard What we heard What we heard How Public Input Shaped the Plan Insights Insights What it means&why it matters What it means why it matters Community visioning and draft network engagement shaped the goals,guiding principles,proposed network, uiding Principles and the pr�oritization approach, How it connects ensuring the draft Orange County Trails Plan is grounded COI tM in community values, Trams Plat► What it looks like Draft Orange CaunsyTralls Plan-Book ofCounry Commissloners Warksesslon I RPNI 16,3036 I Sl Slide#12 Guiding Principles REFLECT LOCAL CHARACTER PRIORITIZE USER SAFETY CULTIVATE COMMUNITY WELLNESS Trails should seamlessly integrate into Safety is essential for encouraging The frail network should help build the surrounding landscape and reflect trail use.Thoughtful trail design a happier,healthier community by the unique identity of each community with universal access,adequate supporting physical activity,mental they pass through-from rural to urban visibility,clear wayfinding,and health,and social well-beingthrough and everything in between-to foster safe crossings should be at the opportunities for recreation,relaxation, a stronger sense of identity and place forefront to keep pedestrians and and connection with nature. across Orange County. cyclists safe and comfortable. ADVANCE ACCESS&EQUITY EXPANDTRAVELDPTIONS DESIGN FDR LONGEVITY All Orange County residents-regardless of To be effective,the trail network Trails should be designed and age,ability,income,orlocation-deserve should provide viable alternatives constructed using best practices that safe and convenient access to outdoor to vehicle transportation and promote long-term resilience,ease of exploration.The trail network should encourage mare active modes of maintenance,and adaptability,allowing prioritize connectivity to historically travel,like biking or walking,by the network to evolve asthe county underserved areas,promote inclusion,and connecting key points of interest grows and community priorities change ensure diverse community needs are met. across the county. over time. 24 1 Slide#13 Draft Trails Plan: Proposed Network The proposed network combines nature trails,rail-to-trail ;r segments,and road routes to create a connected county system linking major destinations and advancing MST continuity. Di UNC Campus to University Station(Rai Ito TraiI via NCRRCoGenLine) OChapel Hill to Hillsborough(Road route via NC 86&Waterstone Dr to Cates Creek Park) Carrboroto Hillsborough(Road route via Old NC 86) MST-AlamanceCountytoSevenMileCreekNaturalArea(Roadroute) s _ ' MST-Alamance County to Seven Mile Creek Natural Area trail) l �•1,`Y ® m oz Lil MST-Seven Mile Creek Natural Area to Hillsborough Riverwalk(Nature trail) Mebane to Hillsborough(Road route via US-70) S GB Mebane to Kings Highway Park(Nature trail via Duke Energy transmission easement) -- Lake Michael Parkto Panther Branch Natural Area(Road route via Lebanon Rd) QCedarGrove Park to Kings Highway Park(Nature Trail via Eno River) mLittle River Park to Cedar Grove Park(Nature trail via Northeast Park&Breeze Farm) mLittle River Park to Cedar Grove Park(Road route via Northeast Park&Breeze Farm) 0 \ i MST-Eno River State Park to Durham(Nature trail) Draft Orange County 7ralls Glan boar of County C—Inioners Worksessm Pprf114,2— la 2 3 4 Slide#14 What the Network Accomplishes The proposed trail network translates community priorities and guiding principles into a system that... 01 Expands access to parks,preserves,and natural areas for ! ;= residents around the county _ 02 Strengthens town-to-town and rural connectivity,linkingy'---"_ _. municipalities and surrounding communities �__ ..• r 03 Creates clearer,more intentional multi-modal connections across the county 04 Supports daily movement and recreation,making it easier to walk,bike,and spend time outdoors close to home ;V 05 Advances completion of the Mountains to Sea Trail(MST) and strengthens Orange County's role in regional and statewide trail systems h Draft Orange County 7ralls plan Boar of County Con iwo,e Wwksessm Pprfl 14,202E 14 5 6 7 25 1 Slide#15 Segment Prioritization Prioritizing trail segments helps Orange County strategically focus time and resources,advance projects that deliver the greatest benefit first,and provide a transparent,repeatable framework for future decision-making. How Priorities Were Set:A Four-Step Process 01 02 03 04 Analyst Scoring Public Input Comparison& Combined Priority Initial scoring of Community feedback Weighting Order each segment on the draft priority Inputs were Weighted results using a consistent order through normalized and were combined to set of evaluation workshops and an weighted to balance produce the draft criteria(local need, online survey,using technical feasibility priority order that cost efficiency, a dot voting exercise and community will be evolved as connectivity,guiding and ranking activity perspective, segments are refined. principle alignment, respectively. community support) Draft Orarpe County Trails Plan Board or County Commissioners Workuasion Apd114,2026 ab 2 3 4 Slide#16 Priority Order of Segments The draft priority order reflects a combination of community preferences and feasibility considerations. Highest-ranking segments generally share the following Q MST•Eno River State Park to Durham(Nature trail) characteristics: z O Chapel Hill to Hillsborough(RoadrouteviaNC86&WaterstoneDrtoCatesCreekPark) • Strong community support a O SO MST-Seven Mile Creekisatural Amato HlllsboroughRiverwalk(Nature trail) • Nature-based or separated QMST-Ala mance County to Seven Mile Creek Natural Area(Nature trail) trail experiences • Clear connections to parks, of UNCCampustoUniversity Station(Rai Ito Trail via NCRRCoGenLine) towns,and the MST © Carrboro to Hillsborough(Road route via Old NC 86) 7O Cedar Grove Park to Kings Highway Park(Nature Trail via Eno River) Reminder: 66 Mebane to Kings Highway Park(Nature trail via Duke Energy transmission easement) This priority order represents a Mebane to Hillsborough(Road route via US-70 to West Hill Ave/Occoneechee Mtn) planning-level snapshot and will continue to evolve as segments MST-Alamance County to Seven Mile Creek Natural Area(Road route) are refined. O M Little River Park to Cedar Grove Park(Nature trail via Northeast Park&Breeze Farm) Fe vi Lake Michael Pas rkto Panther Branch Natural Area(Road route via Lebanon Rd) 3 O m Little River Park to Cedar Grove Park(Road route via Northeast Park&Breeze Farm) Draft0rarge County Trails Plan' Board orCounty Commiss"m Worksosslon April 14,2026 16 5 6 Mikayla Hernandez said the priority order of segments in slide #16 is not a construction or build 7 schedule. 8 9 26 1 Slide#17 What's Next 01 Conveythe draft advisory boards for review and comment Recreation Council for formal and recommendation coordination03 Refire the plan based on advisory input,Board direction,and continued 04 Prepare an adoption-ready Trails Plan Additional Elements included in the Plan for future Board of Commissioners In addition to what we covered tonight,the following consideration items are included in the draft Trails Plan and will be refined as more information becomes available: Trail Segment •ne-Pagers(Section 04 p Project Phasing Framework . pp Implementation Fram .rk(Section 05, .. 2 3 David Stancil continued the presentation. He noted the staff in DEAPR, the interdepartmental 4 staff, and the community groups who also assisted in the development of the draft trails plan. He noted 5 community comments regarding a proposed segment of the Mountains to Sea Trail. He said as the plan 6 was prepared, they felt it was important to respect the integrity of the planning process. He said while it 7 may look different going forward,they didn't feel they could take it out of the draft because it is something 8 the Board adopted in 2018. He said the segment connections to Saxapahaw and Hillsborough, two trail 9 towns that have invested into being on the Mountains to Sea Trail. He said Alamance County acquired a 10 large park on the county line near Saxapahaw. He said this segment is the best natural surface trail 11 corridor you can use to get from Saxapahaw to Hillsborough. He said that this may be reevaluated now 12 that there is a draft set of priorities. He said the next steps are to get feedback from the Board, as well as 13 advisory boards. He said the plan would return to the Parks and Recreation Council for formal comment 14 and consideration. He said the plan would be refined based on feedback from those groups and Board 15 direction. He said cost is a consideration, but it will be difficult to estimate until they are prioritizing trails 16 and doing feasibility studies. He said the trails plan relies heavily on working with NCDOT on shared use 17 paths. He shared that NCDOT issued trail encroachment guidelines in 2024, which is a positive sign for 18 future cooperation. 19 20 27 1 Slide#18 Discussion Questions Draft Orange County Trails Plan April 14,2026 3 The Board began discussing the presentation and asking questions from staff and Mikayla 4 Hernandez. 5 Vice-Chair Fowler said she was pleased to hear the coordination of bicycle and pedestrian plans 6 for the county. She thanked staff for their work. 7 David Stancil said they were excited about the possibility of working with NCDOT. He said there 8 are some projects that are"low-hanging fruit,"and some that might take a really long time, but they have 9 a vision of what people want to see. 10 Commissioner Carter thanked staff for their work. She praised the community engagement and 11 the comprehensive perspective on the plan. She said they will continue to hear community input, and 12 she supports taking it through the process because it builds in different perspectives. She said one of the 13 great things about Orange County is the support for recreational opportunities. 14 Commissioner Portie-Ascott thanked staff for their work and engagement with the community. 15 She asked if they heard requests for additional recreational opportunities beyond trails. 16 David Stancil said there were people in the workshops and on the survey who would like to see 17 spin-off opportunities for the trail connections. He said Cedar Grove Community Center is at the end of 18 one of those trail segments, and this might be a way to bring people to the center. He heard a desire to 19 maximize existing facilities. He said there is interest in seeing what other things can develop at trail that's 20 not just recreational, but other kinds of development. He said this came up in discussions to convert the 21 rail line to a trail. 22 Commissioner Bedford asked which segment is part of the Millhouse Road property. 23 David Stancil said trail 1. He said a section of the Millhouse Road property would need to be 24 reserved as a corridor. He said it is possible that trail and the one that connects to Hillsborough and Cates 25 Creek Park might need to use the Millhouse Road corridor until the rail trail question is resolved. He said 26 they might see a connection through the Millhouse property, through the town's operations base to the 27 Greene Tract and connecting south into the town's network. 28 Commissioner Bedford said having this plan is helpful as they consider other developments and 29 projects. 30 Chair Hamilton said by having a trails plan,they know to protect or ask for easements. She had a 31 concern about the plan and referred to page 37 of the agenda packet. She said the text includes a 32 reference to the Orange County Land Use Plan 20250, but it needs to be clear that the land use plan has 33 not yet been approved. 34 David Stancil said they've been using where they are to date as something to gauge against with 35 the trails plan, but acknowledged that the land use plan isn't done. 28 1 Chair Hamilton said it's important because things might change, and they should consider how 2 the documents are seen and interpreted by the public. She gave an example of the Cane Creek neighbors 3 that are in opposition to their land being used for a segment of the Mountains to Sea Trail. 4 David Stancil the priority order was developed based on feedback from community input. He said 5 they understand that might change as other groups review the plan and the Board provides comments. 6 Chair Hamilton said an asterisk might be included to explain that the current landowners do not 7 plan to sell their land. 8 David Stancil said now that the plan has been presented, staff can include those sorts of details. 9 Commissioner Bedford asked which segments follow water. She noted that the county has been 10 successful in obtaining easements with other conservancy groups and getting state funding. 11 David Stancil reviewed the segments that follow stream corridors. 12 Commissioner Bedford asked if any of those segments have grant funding as a criterion, such as 13 for farm preservation. 14 David Stancil said they haven't used that as a criterion yet, but the Cedar Grove to Little River 15 segment connects to Breeze Farm. He said they could look at voluntary agricultural districts as a criterion. 16 17 4. Potential Removal of Boards and Commissions Members Due to 2025 Attendance 18 The Board discussed the removal of appointees from several boards and commissions due to 2025 19 attendance. 20 21 BACKGROUND: The Orange County Board of County Commissioners' Advisory Board Policy (as in effect 22 during calendar year 2025) required members to attend at least 75% of scheduled meetings within a 23 twelve-month period in order to maintain membership. The Advisory Board Policy (Attachment A) also 24 states that members who miss three (3) consecutive meetings are subject to removal. 25 26 After collecting and compiling the 2025 attendance records for all boards and commissions,members who 27 violated the attendance requirements were identified by the Clerk's Office. Boards and commissions staff 28 liaisons were informed which members were subject to removal, and the liaisons worked with the Chairs 29 to either invite resignations or prepare memos to share with the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) 30 to advocate for continued membership despite absences. Some members did not respond to 31 communication attempts and are therefore presented for removal rather than continued participation. 32 33 The following members from the following boards and commissions are subject to removal pending BOCC 34 action: 35 36 • Advisory Board on Aging 37 NAME POSITION CURRENT CURRENT TERM %OF 2025 DESCRIPTION APPOINTMENT EXPIRATION DATE MEETINGS TYPE ATTENDED Shahnaz "GiGi" At-Large First Full Term 06/30/2028 63.64% Rashdi Jerry Ann At-Large Second Full Term 06/30/2027 45.45% Gregory 38 39 NOTE:A memo from the Advisory Board on Aging Chair is attached to the agenda. 40 41 Affordable Housing Advisory Board 29 1 NAME POSITION CURRENT CURRENT TERM %OF 2025 DESCRIPTION APPOINTMENT EXPIRATION DATE MEETINGS TYPE ATTENDED Mariela At-Large Second Full Term 09/30/2028 33.33% Hernandez Andrew Robinson At-Large First Full Term 06/30/2026 11.11% 2 3 NOTE: Both members were non-responsive to Housing staff's communication attempts. 4 5 • Agricultural Preservation Board 6 NAME POSITION CURRENT CURRENT TERM %OF 2025 DESCRIPTION APPOINTMENT EXPIRATION DATE MEETINGS TYPE ATTENDED Anjail Taylor At-Large Second Full Term 06/30/2027 0% 7 8 NOTE:This member has been non-responsive to Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation (DEAPR) 9 staff's communication attempts. 10 1 1 • Arts Commission 12 NAME POSITION CURRENT CURRENT TERM %OF 2025 DESCRIPTION APPOINTMENT EXPIRATION DATE MEETINGS TYPE ATTENDED Josh Rosenstein At-Large Second Full Term 09/30/2028 54.55% 13 14 NOTE: A memo from the Arts Commission Chair is attached to the agenda. 15 16 • Economic Development Advisory Board 17 NAME POSITION CURRENT CURRENT TERM %OF 2025 DESCRIPTION APPOINTMENT EXPIRATION DATE MEETINGS TYPE ATTENDED John Kim Core Business First Full Term 06/30/2027 50% Community 18 19 NOTE: A memo from the Economic Development Advisory Board Chair is attached to the agenda. 20 21 • Orange Unified Transportation Board 22 23 NAME POSITION CURRENT CURRENT TERM %OF 2025 DESCRIPTION APPOINTMENT EXPIRATION DATE MEETINGS TYPE ATTENDED 30 Michael Hughes At-Large Second Full Term 09/30/2027 55.56% (Chair) Kaji Rashad At-Large First Full Term 09/30/2027 28.57% Chloe Pankratz Non-voting Youth First Full Term 09/30/2027 66.67% Delegate 1 2 NOTE: Memos from the Orange Unified Transportation Board Chair and Vice-Chair are attached to the 3 agenda. 4 5 Tara May introduced the item. 6 Commissioner Bedford asked if applying the current rules retroactively would be more lenient for 7 the members in question. 8 Tara May said that she and Chair Hamilton decided to implement the new rules going forward 9 rather than retroactively, but could do either approach. 10 Chair Hamilton said that the Board could also give exceptions to the policy. 11 Vice-Chair Fowler asked if one of the exceptions could be that their board wanted to keep them. 12 Chair Hamilton said to her, that's not a reason. She gave an example of the Advisory Board on 13 Aging with members who might have health issues, but are informing the work of the board. 14 Commissioner Carter said applying the new rules to last year would be a form of an exception, if 15 it meant someone would be eligible to stay on. She said she'd like consistency in how the rules are applied. 16 The Board asked Tara May to consider how retroactively applying the new policy to the members 17 under consideration in the agenda item. 18 Tara May asked if the new rules should be applied just to the people up for removal, or applied 19 to all advisory board members. 20 Commissioner Carter said if the rules aren't consistently relaxed,that complicates the discussion. 21 Tara May said it could be that the new rules result in fewer people up for removal, but she'd have 22 to check. She said they can keep using the new rules as of January for everyone else, but retroactively 23 apply it for the people up for removal. She said if it were applied for people who are not up for removal 24 tonight, there could be many more people to be removed. 25 Vice-Chair Fowler said some of the issues brought up were related to health and that other 26 members had requested an excused absence due to known conflicts. She said there were excused 27 absences in the policy in the past. 28 Tara May said that was true, but it was removed because "excused" wasn't defined and left 29 discretion up to the board chair. 30 Vice-Chair Fowler said changing the percentage to 50%would have solved most of the issues. 31 Commissioner Bedford said the question, can someone be present to serve or not. She said she 32 thought all members should be removed to be consistent with others who resigned. She noted that 33 people who are removed can reapply after a year. 34 Chair Hamilton clarified Commissioner Bedford's wishes to hold applying the 2025 criteria to the 35 members up for removal, and to apply the new policy going forward. 36 Commissioner McKee said that would best, otherwise the Board loses credibility. 37 Commissioner Portie-Ascott said she was initially considering allowing these members to stay on 38 the boards, but after hearing the comments from other commissioners it is best to be consistent. 39 Tara May clarified that the Board wanted to move forward with removal of the members at a 40 future business meeting. 41 Commissioner Bedford said she'd like for everyone to be encouraged to reapply in the future. 42 Tara May said it's not in the policy, but they generally advise people to roll off the board for a year 43 and then reapply. 31 1 Commissioner Bedford said whatever is reasonable and she would be happy to reappoint them. 2 3 5. Advisory Board on Aging—Appointments Discussion 4 The Board discussed appointments to the Advisory Board on Aging. 5 6 BACKGROUND:The Advisory Board on Aging suggests policy and makes recommendations to the Board 7 of Commissioners and the Department on Aging. Board members act as the liaisons between the County's 8 older adults and Orange County government, particularly concerning the needs for a comprehensive, 9 integrated approach to the delivery of services in the fields of health, mental health, social services, 10 recreation, employment, and other programs for older adults. 11 12 The Board of County Commissioners appoints all twelve (12) members. 13 14 The following individuals are recommended for Board consideration: 15 NAME POSITION DESCRIPTION TYPE OF EXPIRATION APPOINTMENT TERM DATE Jacqulyn Podger At-Large Second Full Term 06/30/2029 Daniel Leonard Carrboro Town Limits Partial Term 06/30/2027 (move from At-Large) Rafael Velez At-Large Partial Term 06/30/2027 16 17 If the individuals listed above are appointed, no vacancies remain. 18 19 Tara May introduced the item. 20 The Board agreed by consensus to appoint the recommended candidates. 21 22 6. Animal Services Advisory Board—Appointment Discussion 23 The Board discussed an appointment to the Animal Services Advisory Board. 24 25 BACKGROUND: The Animal Services Advisory Board advises the Board of County Commissioners on 26 matters of concern regarding animal issues and animal services in Orange County and works with the 27 Animal Services Director on various policy concerns and issues regarding County animal services. 28 29 The Board of County Commissioners appoints all thirteen (13) members with representation from various 30 related fields and municipalities. 31 32 The following individual is recommended for Board consideration: 33 NAME POSITION DESCRIPTION TYPE OF EXPIRATION APPOINTMENT TERM DATE Dr.Ann Brady Veterinarian from the First Full Term 06/30/2029 Board of Health 34 If the individual listed above is appointed,the following vacancy remains: POSITION EXPIRATION DATE VACANCY INFORMATION DESIGNATION Town of Chapel Hill 06/30/2027 Vacant since 03/11/2026 32 1 2 Tara May introduced the item. 3 The Board agreed by consensus to appoint the recommended candidates. 4 Commissioner Bedford said Ellen Pearsall is eligible for the Town of Chapel Hill position. 5 The Board agreed by consensus to appoint Ellen Pearsall. 6 7 7. Board of Health—Appointments Discussion 8 The Board discussed appointments to the Board of Health. 9 10 BACKGROUND: The Board of Health is the primary policy-making and adjudicatory body for the Orange 11 County Health Department. It is charged to protect and promote the public health of Orange County 12 residents and is mandated by state law. 13 14 The Board of County Commissioners appoints all eleven (11) members with representatives from specific 15 health-related professions and the public. 16 17 The following individuals are recommended for Board consideration: 18 NAME POSITION DESCRIPTION TYPE OF EXPIRATION APPOINTMENT TERM DATE Dr. Rachel Royce Citizen/ Second Full Term 06/30/2029 Commissioner Appointment Dr. Shielda Nurse Third Full Term 06/30/2029 Rodgers Dr.Ann Brady Veterinarian First Full Term 06/30/2029 19 20 If the individuals listed above are appointed,the following vacancy remains: 21 POSITION EXPIRATION DATE VACANCY INFORMATION DESIGNATION Optometrist 06/30/2027 Vacant since 01/13/2026 22 23 Tara May introduced the item. 24 The Board agreed by consensus to appoint the recommended individuals. 25 26 8. Human Relations Commission—Appointments Discussion 27 The Board discussed appointments to the Human Relations Commission. 28 29 BACKGROUND:The Human Relations Commission studies and makes recommendations to the Board of 30 County Commissioners concerning problems in the field of human relationships. The Commission seeks 31 solutions to community issues that may create animosity and unrest, makes recommendations designed 32 to promote goodwill and harmony among groups in the County, and addresses and attempts to remedy 33 the violence, tensions, polarization, and other harm created through discrimination, bias, hatred, and 34 inequity. 35 36 The Board of County Commissioners appoints all twelve (12) members. 33 1 2 The following applicants are recommended for Board consideration: 3 NAME POSITION DESCRIPTION TYPE OF EXPIRATION APPOINTMENT TERM DATE Andrew Drain At-Large Partial Term 06/30/2027 Brandon Loor At-Large First Full Term 09/30/2028 Intriago Cassie Rice At-Large First Full Term 06/30/2029 Tonya Jones At-Large Second Full Term 06/30/2029 Jenn Sykes Town of Hillsborough Second Full Term 06/30/2029 4 5 If the individuals listed above are appointed,the following vacancies remain: 6 POSITION EXPIRATION DATE VACANCY INFORMATION DESIGNATION Town of Carrboro 06/30/2028 Vacant since 02/18/2026 At-Large 06/30/2028 Vacant since 11/6/2025 7 8 Tara May introduced the item. 9 Chair Hamilton said that Jenn Sykes already serves on two other boards. 10 Commissioner Carter asked if Jenn Sykes is due to roll off any of the other boards soon. 11 Tara May said she would look into it. 12 The Board agreed by consensus to appoint the recommended individuals, with the exception of 13 Jenn Sykes. 14 15 9. Orange Water and Sewer Authority Board of Directors—Appointment Discussion 16 The Board discussed an appointment to the Orange Water and Sewer Authority Board of Directors. 17 18 BACKGROUND:The OWASA Board of Directors addresses a wide variety of issues, including infrastructure 19 investment, employee compensation and benefits, finance and rate setting, customer service and 20 affordability, environmental protection, forestry, public health, and community engagement, among 21 others. 22 23 Since this is not a county board, it does not submit an Annual Work Plan. 24 25 The following individual is presented for Board consideration: 26 NAME POSITION DESCRIPTION TYPE OF EXPIRATION APPOINTMENT TERM DATE Dr.Johnny Orange County First Full Term 06/30/2026 Randall Appointee (reappointment) 27 If the individual listed above is appointed, no vacancies remain. 28 29 Tara May introduced the item. 30 The Board agreed by consensus to appoint the recommended individual. 31 34 1 10. Parks and Recreation Council—Appointments Discussion 2 The Board discussed appointments to the Parks and Recreation Council. 3 4 BACKGROUND: The Parks and Recreation Council consults with and advises the Department of 5 Environment, Agriculture, Parks, and Recreation and the Board of County Commissioners on matters 6 affecting parks planning, development, and operation, recreation facilities, policies, and programs, and 7 public trails and open space. 8 9 The Board of County Commissioners appoints twelve (12) members, with representatives from each of 10 the County's townships and municipalities, and two (2) non-voting youth delegates. 11 12 The following individuals are recommended for Board consideration: 13 NAME POSITION DESCRIPTION TYPE OF EXPIRATION APPOINTMENT TERM DATE Vladimir Colina Chapel Hill City Limits First Full Term 03/31/2029 Prof. Dr. Acharan Chapel Hill Township First Full Term 03/31/2029 Narula 14 15 If the individuals listed above are appointed,the following vacancies remain: 16 POSITION EXPIRATION DATE VACANCY INFORMATION DESIGNATION Carrboro City Limits 03/31/2027 Vacant since 08/14/2025 Little River 03/31/2026 Vacant since 10/20/2025 Township 17 Tara May introduced the item. 18 The Board agreed by consensus to appoint the recommended individuals. 19 20 Adjournment 21 22 A motion was made by Vice-Chair Fowler, seconded by Commissioner Carter, to adjourn the 23 meeting at 9:15 p.m. 24 25 VOTE: UNANIMOUS 26 27 Jean Hamilton, Chair 28 29 30 Recorded by Laura Jensen, Clerk to the Board 31 32 Submitted for approval by Laura Jensen, Clerk to the Board