Minutes 10-05-2021 Virtual Business Meeting

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20 Commissioner Fowler reiterated that this program is designed only to cover the difference in tax bill from 2020-2021, so would benefit only those residents with increases from the revaluation. Nancy Freeman said yes. Public Comment Delores Bailey said she supports this proposed program and applauds the Board for its effort; however, this program will not apply to people like her and she wonders how many other people also fall in this same category. She said this program misses those in the middle. She said EmPOWERment is a HUD certified counselor and has been talking to homeowners about how this program may benefit them. She said her concern is for people who, because of AMI, do not qualify for this. She said the difference in her taxes between 2020 and 2021 is $40,000. Chair Price asked if a different AMI level would be better. Delores Bailey said she applauds the program, but if her taxes increase by the same amount again next year, she will not be able to hold onto her home. George Barrett, Executive Director of the Marian Cheek Jackson Center for Saving and Making History, said he has been an Orange County resident for over eight years. He said the Jackson Center is located in the Northside Community, one of three historically Black neighborhoods the center works with. He said the Board is aware that in April, the new inequitable revaluations were seen in Northside, disproportionate to other communities. He said he supports the work to continue correcting the inequitable system, and he thanked county staff for the considerations made with this program so it can have the most impact. He said he appreciates 80% AMI limit, as well as ability to layer relief because concentration of development in these areas has caused increased tax burden to residents. He said the Board should continue to listen to residents and leaders who are talking about inequities like this that burden residents. He said he is excited to move forward with this program. Commissioner Richards asked if Ms. Bailey's valuation or tax bill is up 21%. Bonnie Hammersley said the payments through this program are for the increase of the tax bill, not the increase in the valuation. She said a $41,000 property value increase would equate to a $340 increase in the county portion of the tax bill. Commissioner Richards thanked the Manager for clarifying, and said she has been trying to understand the age requirement. She said if the goal is to support residents who have experienced the increase, she supports the 10 year home ownership because it is geared towards long term homeowners, but would support removing age requirement. Commissioner Hamilton thanked staff for its work on this. She asked if the application should have more than one space for homeowner name. Corey Root said that is a great point and the application can be adjusted to reflect that. She also noted that the date of birth question would be removed if the age requirement is removed from the criteria. Commissioner Hamilton said otherwise, she felt the application was clear. She said she also supports removing the age criteria. She asked if community centers, schools, libraries, and senior centers will be included in outreach efforts. Corey Root said those groups are on the current distribution list and staff will do a special push for them. Chair Price said the Department on Aging has a good listserv, as well as churches and other faith communities. Commissioner McKee asked if the current AMI in Orange County can be identified. Corey Root said it changes based on the number of people in the household, but a house of 4 is $69,100.