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3 <br /> seeing financial mismanagement, problems with the schools, and tax evaluations that reflect <br /> those issues. He said his questions are about where the money was spent, how it was spent, <br /> and why there is a disparate impact on those with fewer means. He said that he owns property <br /> with a dilapidated barn that had no value 4 years ago but now has a value of$51,000. He said <br /> that does not make sense. He said it is unfair to those who cannot pay the tax bill. <br /> Ashley Campbell said she wanted to point out a better way to communicate the <br /> reassessment to the people. She said that a tax neutral amount is likely never going to happen. <br /> She said that it goes to show how far the revaluation increased the values. She said that <br /> research shows the disproportionate effect on land. She said businesses had a smaller <br /> increase than people who lived out in the county. She said that communication for how the <br /> revaluation was performed could be better. She said she wished the area of neighborhoods that <br /> people's homes were compared to were larger. She said she will have to increase rent on <br /> property she owns elsewhere in the county to cover the cost of the taxes. <br /> Gerald Scarlett said he has been in Orange County for almost 70 years and his family <br /> for 200. He said that about 50 years ago, he had local, state, and federal officials visit him to tell <br /> him that they were taking his property to build Interstate 40. He said that he was assured his tax <br /> rate would not go up because of all the development it would bring to the county. He said he <br /> was promised that all of the development would either lower taxes or at least keep them the <br /> same, but it has not happened. He said in 2019 the Board passed a '/4 cent increase in taxes to <br /> fight climate change. He said that two years later, the RTLP project was approved right across <br /> the street from him with three million square feet of warehouse and 400 loading docks, for 400 <br /> diesel spewing trucks. He said that this seems disingenuous at best and hypocritical at the <br /> worst. He challenged the Board to not perpetuate the lie that taxes will not go up. He asked the <br /> Board to adjust the tax rate so that rates do not go up a single penny. He said there has been <br /> $100 million or more dollars in the county. He said they cannot afford to keep doing this. He said <br /> his property value has doubled and there is no way he could buy it now on a fixed income. He <br /> said he cannot afford increased property taxes. He asked the Board to make adjustments so <br /> his payments will not go up and so that he will not be run out of the county by increased and <br /> unaffordable taxes. <br /> b. Matters on the Printed Agenda <br /> (These matters will be considered when the Board addresses that item on the agenda below.) <br /> 3. Announcements, Petitions and Comments by Board Members <br /> Commissioner McKee petitioned staff to bring to the next Board meeting the revenue <br /> neutral rate, and information on any delays, reductions, or cuts necessary to achieve the <br /> revenue neutral rate. He also asked that the Board discuss a commitment to achieve no more <br /> than the revenue neutral rate this year. <br /> Commissioner Fowler said she went to a Habitat for Humanity ribbon cutting. She said <br /> the average property value increase in value was 52%, but it was lower for commercial property. <br /> She said that people should appeal if they do not agree with the value. She said the budget is <br /> not set based on valuations but is set on budgetary needs and what the departments provide to <br /> the community. She said the Board will be mindful of those paying tax bills while balancing the <br /> needs of the most vulnerable. <br /> Commissioner Portie-Ascott thanked those in attendance for their remarks. She said that <br /> House Bill 412 was written to address a staffing shortage issue in childcare centers. She shared <br /> two data points: people that have two children in childcare are spending $23,000 - $40,000 a <br /> year on childcare and that childcare centers were at 59% capacity in Orange County. She said <br /> that House Bill 412 would make it so that one teacher can cover two classrooms, which <br /> concerns the Partnership for Children because they believe this is a safety issue. She said that <br />