Approved Minutes of May 28, 2025

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MINUTES-Draft ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH May 28, 2025 Jean Phillips-Weiner, Board of Health Strategic Plan Manager, presented the media packet to the board. Topics included: a Behavioral Health Urgent Care/Crisis Diversion Facility that is under development in Orange County; a recent tabletop exercise event held to promote emergency preparedness; an update and discussion of the Parent's Medical Bill of Rights that is being considered in State Congress; a $25,000 grant recently awarded to Orange County Animal Services to support programs such as low-cost spay and neuter services and pet food pantries; a series of Mental Health Mondays events being held in Carrboro; and two articles discussing legal ramifications related to "Farm Parties" being held in rural Orange County. Commissioner Fowler thanked the other board members for taking time to discuss the Parents Medical Bill of Rights and its potential impact on youth care at the previous meeting. Dr. Stuebe encouraged board members to contact their representatives to express opposition to the bill. Mr. Whitaker asked Commissioner Fowler if the BOCC can do anything to curtail the farm parties, to which Commissioner Fowler responded that Sheriff Blackwood recently brought criminal charges against a landowner for renting his land for a farm party, which she believes will discourage future rentals. Dr. Rodgers noted that someone received a citation for impeding the flow of traffic and that someone recently died at one of these parties. Mr. Whitaker explained that agrotourism is about the use of land, is often liberally interpreted and applied, and that it can permit individuals to circumnavigate certain zoning restrictions but added that it typically applies to consistent use of a property and that special events such as parties wouldn't necessarily fall under this umbrella. Commissioner Fowler noted that in Chapel Hill people are required to register their parties and can be held liable if underage drinking occurs, but this doesn't seem to be the case for these farm parties. Ms. Stewart commented that Sheriff Blackwood would love to regulate these parties more effectively but feels limited. Ms. Hudson said that there is a conflation of agrotourism and "agrotainment," and added that legitimate agrotourism typically mandates certain requirements, such as appropriate sanitation facilities, sufficient egress on the roads, and adequate parking. Those who are causing trouble are typically not going through legal channels nor applying for appropriate permits. Media items were in the packet, which focused on Orange County's events, our involvement in various efforts, and various public health topics. B. Health Directors Report Ms. Stewart presented her report to the Board. Below are brief highlights of her report. • In advance of the meeting, Dr. Royce shared a social media post about tobacco control funding cuts. Ms. Stewart referenced this and said that there have been substantial cuts to tobacco funding and that the State Department of Public Health has been impacted. She said that there has been a loss of a lot of institutional knowledge due to furloughs and layoffs. However, the state has been very intentional about supporting local health department programs and the Juul Settlement Funds are now being used to support local and regional health department work on tobacco. She said that the NC Quitline is continuing to operate at a reduced capacity and will no longer be able to offer Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT). • Ms. Stewart highlighted several items from the NC House's proposed budget, including raises for teachers, increased school funding, redirection of state Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) funding, and prioritization of replenishing savings reserves post- Hurricane Helene. She also shared that the NC Health Director Association requested S:\Managers Working Files\BOH\Agendas &Abstracts\2025 Agenda and Abstracts/ May Page 8