Minutes 03-27-2025-Joint Meeting w/Carrboro

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15 Travis Myren said, to the extent possible, the County will provide some of the services at a lower level. He said if the administrative funds are cut in Medicaid or Food and Nutrition Services, there would have to be a reduction in force. Council Member Haven-O'Donnell asked if there is anything the municipalities can do to help with this. Travis Myren said staff can put heads together to think about some partnerships that might serve residents better. Commissioner Fowler thanked Travis Myren for providing this information and said it would be great to have on the website to keep people informed of the potential impacts. Council Member Merrill asked if there is any kind of proactive communication plan for folks that might be directly affected by federal cuts. Travis Myren said right now, programs that may be impacted are being identified, but until there is clear direction, reaching out to individuals may cause more anxiety than it eases. Council Member Fray asked if there are certain points in the year that federal funds are expected that would indicate whether or not a payment will be made. Travis Myren said there is a funding notification that usually goes out this time of year. He said some notices have been received that grant funds are being put on hold. He said that this morning he received a stop work order from DHHS for two grant funded positions that may not be reimbursed effective two days ago. He said there is some uncertainty and there is new information every day. Vice-Chair Hamilton reiterated her petition from at an earlier meeting to have a dashboard on the county website with information on federal cuts and the impact on Orange County residents. She said with this reality, the Board will likely have to prioritize the most vulnerable in the community, and that may mean that other services that are also important may not be able to be provided at the level they are now. Commissioner McKee said he just came from a community meeting about the revaluation and several people voiced their concerns about being able to stay in this community with their property value increases. He said the most vulnerable are those on the lower end of the wealth scale and the increases are going to impact them. He said he would caution playing up federal cuts too much until it becomes fact in order to avoid ramping up concern even more. Vice-Chair Hamilton asked Travis Myren to remind everyone of what the revenue neutral rate is. Travis Myren said the revenue neutral rate is the tax rate that would generate the same amount of revenue as it did this year with our new tax base. He explained that when there are dramatic increases in property value or assessed value, that revenue neutral rate naturally falls. He said the revaluation actually distributes the tax burden among taxpayers based on the value of their home, which is based on sale prices and what one could get in the market if they were to put their home on the market. Commissioner McKee asked what percent increase will for sure see an increase in their tax payment even if the Board adopts the revenue neutral tax rate. Travis Myren said staff can figure that out. Commissioner Carter asked Travis Myren to explain the scope of the county setting tax values vs. the municipalities. Travis Myren said the county approves the county's tax rate as well as the fire district tax rates, and the special district tax for CHCCS. He said each municipality sets its own tax rate based on their budgets. Mayor Pro Tern Nowell asked if there is any opportunity for municipalities to dedicate excess funds to help mitigate some of the impacts of important cuts on residents of the county. He said municipal boards would have to agree, but it is an idea. Vice-Chair Hamilton said she appreciates that thought because they have to think about everything in this environment.