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20 <br /> 1 Hannah Tuckman said that could look like getting information from neighboring <br /> 2 communities to ensure efficiencies and learn from each other, and coordinate communications <br /> 3 with residents. <br /> 4 Commissioner Portie-Ascott said she had a lot of conversations at the NCACC conference <br /> 5 about misinformation spreading during emergencies. She asked if that was an issue here during <br /> 6 Tropical Storm Chantal. <br /> 7 Sarah Pickhardt said she's not aware of anyone purposefully sharing misinformation or <br /> 8 disinformation, but there was confusion, and people were not looking to reputable sources for <br /> 9 their information. For example, she said there was an untrue rumor the University Lake dam failed. <br /> 10 Vice-Chair Hamilton asked how they would respond to misinformation. <br /> 11 Sarah Pickhardt said they do their best to be honest and just share the information they <br /> 12 have available in a timely manner. She said having strong community relationships like we do <br /> 13 here is important and can help combat misinformation. She said silence often breeds <br /> 14 misinformation, so it's important to provide an update, even if there is no new information. <br /> 15 Hannah Tuckman said the after-action survey results showed that the Community <br /> 16 Relations Department was consistently praised in the feedback received in the survey, and was <br /> 17 vital in getting ahead of misinformation. <br /> 18 Commissioner Greene asked about a resident's complaint regarding insufficient boat <br /> 19 motors for rescues. <br /> 20 Sarah Pickhardt said the amount of rain in a short amount of time was unprecedented in <br /> 21 this community, and some emergency vehicles were damaged. She said she will get more <br /> 22 information from the Chapel Hill Fire Department about what specifically happened with those <br /> 23 boats. <br /> 24 <br /> 25 A motion was made by Commissioner Fowler, seconded by Vice-Chair Hamilton, to <br /> 26 approve and authorize the Chair to sign the resolution adopting the Eno-Haw Regional Hazard <br /> 27 Mitigation Plan. <br /> 28 <br /> 29 VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> 30 <br /> 31 b. Update on Revaluation Appeals, Studies, and the Tax Assessment Work Group <br /> 32 The Board received an update on the status of property tax appeals, the countywide and <br /> 33 neighborhood level equity studies, and approved the charge, composition, and role of the Tax <br /> 34 Assessment Work Group. <br /> 35 <br /> 36 BACKGROUND: The Orange County Tax Administration Office completed a revaluation of real <br /> 37 property in 2025. The goal of the revaluation is to make assessed values more reflective of market <br /> 38 values. Orange County currently conducts a revaluation of real property every four years. <br /> 39 Although the 2025 revaluation followed this four-year schedule, the County was also mandated <br /> 40 by the N.C. Department of Revenue to conduct a revaluation in 2025 because the difference <br /> 41 between assessed values and market sales had reached a threshold that required it. <br /> 42 <br /> 43 Property owners received notices of their new assessed values in March 2025. Most property <br /> 44 owners experienced a marked increase in assessed value compared to the prior year. On <br /> 45 average, the assessed value of residential properties increased by 52%. <br /> 46 <br /> 47 The new assessed values caused concern among some property owners about the accuracy and <br /> 48 fairness of the revaluation process. Concerned residents noted particular disparities in historically <br /> 49 Black neighborhoods. In response, the County emphasized the importance of the appeal process <br /> 50 to adjust assessed values if errors or oversights in the revaluation process resulted in an <br /> 51 inaccurate value. The Tax Office offered educational and technical support on how property <br />