Approved Minutes of March 26, 2025

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MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH March 26, 2025 of their resolution at the April or May Board of Health meeting and asked Commissioner Fowler if the BOCC would prefer a position statement regarding housing as a public health issue vs. specific recommendations, i.e., the top five most important housing action items for health. Commissioner Fowler said that specific recommendations of items that the board believes are highly relevant to health would be helpful. Dr. Stuebe also referenced the importance of primary prevention, secondary prevention, and tertiary prevention for evictions and homelessness. Dr. Royce asked about housing repairs for those who are living in unsafe or inhumane housing —for example, housing with inadequate heating or broken windows. Commissioner Fowler shared that there are programs for this and that they have increased the funding for repairs of existing housing stock. Dr. Stuebe commented that one of the speakers for the Connections to Community Support Committee mentioned that it is important to preserve existing affordable housing, such as bungalows built in the 1950s, as new construction cannot be built at the same price point. She noted that multiple strategies will be needed to solve the affordable housing crisis. Dr. Rodgers commented that she liked the term "attainable housing," as it feels more precise than "affordable housing." She also wondered what impact the recent revaluation of property values and property taxes might have on people's ability to retain their housing, noting that her own property value more than doubled. Commissioner Fowler clarified that the value increases will not be reflected 1:1 in the increase in property taxes, as property taxes will reflect only what the county needs for the budget. She added that there is a long-term homeowner's assistance program to help those with a fixed income afford property tax increases, and that people can also appeal their property revaluation if they disagree with it. Dr. Stuebe noted that this is an opportunity for education, since if board of health members do not understand the nuances of property tax increases, then it is likely that the public does not know either and might find the value increases stressful. Behavioral Health Committee The Behavioral Health Committee has submitted a resolution for the board's consideration. The committee will next meet in late April. Ad Hoc Committee on Well Rules Committee activities are on hiatus until after the ongoing litigation case is resolved. V. Approval of the March 26, 2025, Agenda Motion to approve the agenda of the March 26, 2025, BOH meeting was made by Commissioner Amy Fowler, seconded by Dr. Lee Pickett, and carried without dissent. VI. Approval of February 26, 2025, Minutes Motion to approve the minutes of the February 26, 2025, BOH meeting was made by Commissioner Amy Fowler, seconded by Mr. Tony Whitaker, and carried without dissent. S:\Managers Working Files\BOH\Agendas &Abstracts\2025 Agenda and Abstracts/ March Page 4