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11 <br /> when people are scared about things like Social Security, social services, and the broader <br /> unknowns. She said she is hoping for a pause on this revaluation because of the economic <br /> climate. She said it is very possible that the values may decrease drastically in the next year <br /> because there will be more homes on the market and people will not be able to afford them. <br /> Virginia Whetten said she appreciates what taxes do for communities. She said she is 93 <br /> years old and is on a fixed income. She said she is afraid that her home that she and her late <br /> husband owned will become unaffordable for her as a result of the revaluation. <br /> Maureen Hayes said the value of her home increased drastically in 2017 and resulted in <br /> $1000 more a month. She said she is concerned now that her property value has gone up another <br /> 50%, she is going to be priced out. She asked the Board to do something to help. <br /> Sandra Theard said her family has been in Orange County since the 1800s. She said her <br /> family's land tripled in value and has never had anything on it. She said she is also a senior but <br /> has a legacy here and would like to be able to pass that land onto her son and other family <br /> members. She said she does not want to be priced out or forced to move because her taxes cost <br /> too much. She asked the Board to reconsider the values of her property. <br /> Suzanne Allen said the method of taxation is punitive to long-term residents. She said she <br /> has lived in her house for 40 years. She said her neighborhood was annexed by Carrboro years <br /> ago and her taxes already doubled at that time. She said she would like the method used to <br /> evaluate values be reconsidered. <br /> Clara Felaski said she lives in Carrboro and is retired and lives on a fixed income. She <br /> said that her assessment went up 40%. She said that she still has a mortgage, and any increase <br /> is a financial burden. She said that she submitted an appeal because the comparisons were not <br /> actually comparable to her house. She said she looked at comps and many sold for considerably <br /> less than what her house is currently assessed. She said the housing market since this process <br /> began has already gone down. <br /> Cliff Simpson said he is against ax revaluation. He said the new values are arbitrary and <br /> do not take into account the needs of homeowners. He said it does not take into consideration <br /> the burden it places on homeowners, and he said property owners cannot absorb any more tax <br /> increases here. <br /> Cynthia Anderson said she has lived in North Carolina her whole life and now lives in <br /> Carrboro. She said homeowners are being pushed to their limits. She said people who have <br /> worked their whole lives, invested in and provided for their community are being pushed out <br /> because other people want to live here. She said she hopes the Board will realize that this is not <br /> sustainable for members of the community. <br /> Terri Buckner said she has always supported the government's role in promoting the public <br /> good and providing services not covered by the private sector. She said she has never questioned <br /> her taxes until this year. She said she knows the Board cannot postpone the revaluation and that <br /> they cannot set up a tiered tax system, so the only thing they can do is be careful about what is <br /> approved going forward. She asked them to carefully consider what they choose to fund over the <br /> revenue neutral rate. <br /> Isabel Gagmon said she agrees with others that she will not be able to afford her home at <br /> its new value. She said the real value of her house, not driven by the market, has not changed. <br /> She suggested the Board should not use the market value because that only benefits people with <br /> money, investors, etc. <br /> James Thomas said he built a house for$105,000 and it was paid for in twelve years and <br /> he paid for it by working weekends and nights. He said he saw the recent assessment and could <br /> not believe that his concrete slab, one bedroom, two bath house was appraised at $430,000. He <br /> said he understands that this is a growing area and that taxes need to go up some, but he is <br /> asking that the assessment values be given a good look. <br /> Gerald Scarlett said he went to several tax meetings and the staff did an excellent job. He <br /> said that he has also went into the tax office and his questions were answered completely and he <br />