Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
3 <br /> available to ensure greater vertical equity and ensure commercial property values are equitable <br /> when compared to residential. She said she respects colleagues that have proposed <br /> amendments to lower the tax increase, but believes getting the tax valuations right is the most <br /> appropriate means of ensuring vertical equity. <br /> Vice-Chair Hamilton thanked everyone who has come to a public hearing, written, and <br /> commented on the budget. She said the last Budget Work Session will be on Thursday, June 5tn <br /> where the Board will approve an Intent to Adopt Resolution. She said according to state law, the <br /> County Manager recommends a budget, and commissioners can propose amendments to the <br /> recommended budget. She said the Board will go through the budget amendments on Thursday <br /> and approve them or not. She explained that this is the perfect storm for a budget cycle with the <br /> federal and state cuts and the property revaluation. She said she attended the Central Pines <br /> Board of Delegates meeting on May 28t" and was shown an economic analysis that underlines <br /> the unprecedented economic uncertainty. She said she is looking to have a balanced view of the <br /> budget that supports and invests in the future, and also projects that support the most vulnerable <br /> residents. She said because of the revaluation, the Board will have to hold the line or retract on <br /> other projects. She said the County Manager's budget does not fully fund the schools'continuation <br /> budget, but how the funds are spent is the determination of the school boards and residents <br /> should speak to the school boards directly if they have questions about financial decisions and <br /> why fund balance was spent. She said there will be sacrifices that will have to be made, but unlike <br /> the federal budget, the Board is not going to ask those with the least resources to make the <br /> greatest sacrifices. She said the "big, beautiful bill" is not sound policy but is also a type of <br /> gaslighting. She said as Commissioner Fowler mentioned, she heard and shares concerns about <br /> the fairness of the revaluation. She said she is looking forward to conversations about vertical <br /> equity in future revaluations. She said she is glad she attended the Memorial Day service in <br /> Chapel Hill and heard the inspiring words from Brigadier General Arnold Gordon-Bray that <br /> reminded attendees that our Democracy was a vision, and all are responsible to manifest that <br /> vision. She said in the face of tyranny to remember that others have sacrificed, and we will have <br /> to make sacrifices. <br /> Chair Bedford said there is a gathering on Friday at the Peace and Justice Plaza on gun <br /> violence prevention. On Saturday, she said there is a similar event at Fairview Park where she <br /> will read the proclamation approved by the Board. She said gun violence is the number one killer <br /> of children in this country, and this Board supports common-sense regulation. She shared that <br /> the Local Government Commission (LGC) approved the county's annual financing package. She <br /> said Travis Myren will share comments about tax appraisals during his report this evening. <br /> Commissioner Greene said she attended the Visitors Bureau Meeting last week or the <br /> week before and the guest speaker was Ivy Taylor, who is the UNC representative on the board. <br /> She said that Ivy Taylor indicated the University is committed to the Day Center Idea on <br /> Homestead Rd. She said she also talked about UNC's budget, which is facing a lot of threats, but <br /> their goal is to increase the undergrad population by 5,000 students over the next 10 years. She <br /> said they are also working on a master plan for Carolina North, which in addition to Dean Dome <br /> 2.0, would be a living-learning campus that would include housing, campus recreation, dining, <br /> etc. She said tomorrow she is having lunch with the new GoTriangle CEO. She brought the <br /> Board's attention to the cover of the County Quarterly, which shows work by Hillsborough's Max <br /> Dowdle, who is embarking on a plan to paint murals in all 100 counties. <br /> Commissioner Portie-Ascott said she will use her time tonight to reflect. She said there <br /> are 55,259 households in Orange County according to the 2020 Census, and they include real <br /> people with real issues. She thanked those who have reached out to say they can pay more and <br /> are willing to support a tax increase for schools and the social safety net. She said that generosity <br /> means a lot, and wishes those who can, could, but state law does not allow for a graduated tax <br /> rate. She said she must think about all constituents. She said she is also thinking about those <br /> who cannot afford to pay more, especially in a year with so much uncertainty. She said that when <br />