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1 <br /> APPROVED 5120/25 <br /> MINUTES <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> BUSINESS MEETING <br /> April 1, 2025 <br /> 7:00 p.m. <br /> The Orange County Board of Commissioners met for a Business Meeting on Tuesday, April 1, <br /> 2025, at 7:00 p.m. at the Whitted Human Services Center in Hillsborough, NC. <br /> COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Jamezetta Bedford, Vice-Chair Jean Hamilton <br /> and Commissioners Marilyn Carter, Amy Fowler, Earl McKee, and Phyllis Portie-Ascott <br /> COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Commissioner Sally Greene <br /> COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT: John Roberts <br /> COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Travis Myren, Deputy County Manager Caitlin <br /> Fenhagen, and Clerk to the Board Laura Jensen. (All other staff members will be identified <br /> appropriately below) <br /> Chair Bedford called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. All commissioners were present <br /> except Commissioner Greene. <br /> 1. Additions or Changes to the Agenda <br /> Chair Bedford read the public charge. <br /> Chair Bedford said that OWASA asked for the Board to approve letters of support for <br /> federal funding. She suggested adding it to the agenda between items 4-c and 4-d. <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Carter, to <br /> add approval of letters of support for OWASA to the agenda. <br /> VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> Travis Myren introduced the new Animal Services Director, Elizabeth Overcash, and the <br /> new Community Relations Director, Wil Glenn. <br /> 2. Public Comments (Limited to One Hour) <br /> a. Matters not on the Printed Agenda <br /> Cindy Talisman asked the Board questions about how the appeal process works. She <br /> asked if someone would actually go to the property and visually inspect it. She asked why <br /> Orange County does not have tax relief for senior citizens like Durham County. She said that a <br /> lot of senior citizens are on fixed incomes and the increases in taxes are very hard for them. <br /> She asked why the tax rate was not set before the tax valuation. She asked if building more <br /> homes and revenue is not enough for them that they have to also tax their residents more. <br /> Chair Bedford asked the County Manager to explain how the appeal process works. <br /> Travis Myren said they will compile those questions and put out a FAQ on the website. <br /> Chair Bedford asked Wil Glenn to put this information on the website. <br /> Ashley Parker spoke to the Board about the revaluation process. She asked the Board <br /> to make choices that reign in the spending. She said that Orange County has the highest <br /> average tax rate for all 100 counties in the state. She said that there are landowners who live on <br /> land that is immensely valuable land if sold but it is becoming harder to make a living as a <br /> farmer. She said so many residents like her do not want to sell their property. She provided an <br />