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2 <br /> 1 Vice-Chair Hamilton said thanked first responders for their response during Tropical <br /> 2 Storm Chantal and expressed sympathy to those impacted by the storm. She said that there <br /> 3 are many community members helping each other to recover. She said regarding the <br /> 4 revaluation, she is looking forward to the consultant's analysis of the county's process. She said <br /> 5 that revaluation is complicated, but she is dedicated to fully understanding how the process <br /> 6 works. <br /> 7 Commissioner Fowler echoed thanks to the emergency management teams. She said <br /> 8 she attended the Strategic Communications Work Group during which they heard the <br /> 9 procedures followed in response to a public information request. She said that the group is a <br /> 10 public body, and meetings of the group are open. She said at their most recent meeting they <br /> 11 held a public comment period with one participant. She said that the new Director of <br /> 12 Community Relations and the County Manager have initiated a strategic communications plan <br /> 13 to enhance access to county government. She said they are considering if the work group is still <br /> 14 necessary given the recent changes, or if there should be regular reports to the Board on <br /> 15 strategic communications and public survey information. She proposed that the Board consider <br /> 16 this for future discussion. She said she attended the Chamber economic development update <br /> 17 for local elected leaders. She said that July is Disability Pride Month, which commemorates the <br /> 18 signing of the Americans with Disability Act. She raised concerns over proposed Medicaid cuts <br /> 19 and other challenges threatening essential care and independence for one in four U.S. adults <br /> 20 identifying as having a disability. She discussed the impact of federal special education cuts, a <br /> 21 nationwide staffing crisis, and social security issues that limit benefit access. She said the <br /> 22 theme for Disability Pride Month is "We Belong Here and We're Here to Stay," highlighting the <br /> 23 community's resilience despite threats to disability rights and services. <br /> 24 Commissioner Carter thanked residents for attending and joined colleagues in <br /> 25 expressing gratitude to emergency management professionals. She mentioned attending <br /> 26 Juneteenth events and witnessing flood damage in Chapel Hill, particularly at the Eastgate <br /> 27 Shopping Center. She expressed concern about the impact of the recently passed federal <br /> 28 legislation affecting Medicaid and SNAP administration, noting she would be attending a <br /> 29 conference to learn more about how other counties are addressing these impacts. <br /> 30 Commissioner McKee described some of the effects of Tropical Storm Chantal in the <br /> 31 county. He said that first responders were out in the storm helping people through the night. He <br /> 32 said that people contacted him about various issues they experienced during the storm, <br /> 33 including an elderly resident with a leak in their home. He said he attended the Caldwell July 4t" <br /> 34 parade and that he heard a recitation of Red Skelton's commentary on the Pledge of Allegiance <br /> 35 and encouraged others to look it up. <br /> 36 <br /> 37 4. Proclamations/ Resolutions/ Special Presentations <br /> 38 a. Presentation by Orange County 4-H's Youth Delegate to the 2025 North Carolina <br /> 39 Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) YouthVoice Conference <br /> 40 The Board received remarks from Orange County 4-H youth member Navya Sharma on her 4-H <br /> 41 youth development experience and learning objectives in preparation for the 2025 North <br /> 42 Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) YouthVoice Conference. <br /> 43 <br /> 44 BACKGROUND: The 2025 North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) <br /> 45 YouthVoice Conference will be held August 22-23, 2025 in Pitt County, North Carolina. Orange <br /> 46 County 4-H has selected Navya Sharma to attend as the YouthVoice Delegate from Orange <br /> 47 County. Navya is a rising 9th grade student at East Chapel Hill High School, and has been an <br /> 48 active member of Orange County 4-H, participating on the 2024 KidsVoting Orange County <br /> 49 planning team, attending youth leadership conferences and teen retreats, and serving as a <br /> 50 County Council officer. Navya has competed in the North Carolina GIS Competition and is the <br />