Minutes 05-06-2025-Business Meeting

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2 Carnetta Swann said she was a lifelong resident and spoke about the burden of the recent revaluation of her home. She said she felt the new valuation was incorrect and wanted to know what factors were considered during the valuation of her home. Eileen Williamson said she is appealing the value of the home she moved into in 1976, which was also an FHA house. She described the condition of her home which she felt justified lowering the value of the property. She said she had spoken with the Tax Office about an appeal. Joann Mitchell said she is a Habitat for Humanity homeowner and represents Homeowners United of Habitat for Humanity Orange County. She said the organization is advocating for families and communities in the program. She said that people in the program are low-income families. She asked the Board to consider amending the process for valuing affordable housing in the county. She said that consists of twelve neighborhoods and 445 homes. She said that residents in the program do not go on the open market to buy homes. She said there are income restrictions for Habitat homeowners. Chair Bedford said that Commissioner Greene brought up the same issue. She said they are looking to see if there is legislation allowing for Habitat homes to be valued using a different process. She encouraged people to apply for longtime homeowners assistance with the county and described some of the requirements. Horace Johnson described the new housing developments being built in Hillsborough which are not affordable for many residents. He encouraged the Board to visit residents in the county and learn more about what people are dealing with. He said that the African American population has decreased in the county, and it is important to understand why. b. Matters on the Printed Agenda (These matters will be considered when the Board addresses that item on the agenda below.) 3. Announcements, Petitions and Comments by Board Members Commissioner McKee said that he had petitioned for publication of the revenue neutral rate and to have an item for specific cuts that would be necessary to achieve a revenue neutral tax rate. He said that the budget presented has an increase of 6%. He said that he is again petitioning that an agenda item presentation on specific cuts to make revenue neutral rate occurs on May 201". He read a passage from a letter from a resident that reiterates what he has said. Commissioner Fowler noted there was an item on the consent agenda regarding screen use by youth. She encouraged everyone to put their phones down more this week and develop healthier habits. She said that anxiety and depression in youth increases with more screentime. She said that May 9 is childcare provider day. She said that quality childcare is critical to children's development. She said she is thankful for the providers in the county. Commissioner Greene said she attended the dedication of the Peach Apartments. She said that homes are Empowerments first rental units, and the county contributed to the project. She said that she attended a dedication at the Courthouse of a portrait of Lisbon Payne Berry, the first black lawyer in Orange County and likely one of the first ten Black lawyers in the state. She said she was on the housing collaborative call and visited 10 farms during the April farm tour. She said a lot of great things are going on with Orange County farms. Vice-Chair Hamilton noted that there was a proclamation on the consent agenda for Older Americans Month. She said that as an older America, thank you. She said this Board typifies the contribution that older Americans make to the community and that it was more important now for everyone to participate and get involved. She said she attended the Alliance Health board meeting, and they have a number of resources available to support mental and physical health. She said everyone experiences stress and need to look for ways to support themselves and others.