Minutes 09-04-2025-Business Meeting

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2 Christine Preddy said she is a teacher at Eno River Academy. She had just returned from taking kindergartners into the woods on the property when she learned about the meeting. She shared how the land is integral to their educational program, with eighth graders helping build trails and the school conducting stream studies with the Eno River Association. She quoted a kindergartner who said "I just never knew this could be school" during their hike. The school hopes to eventually acquire and protect the land to slightly expand their campus while maintaining it as a buffer for student learning and exploration. Edward Mann said he was frustrated by the delay of item 6-a, regarding the Lumos contract. He asked the Board to make the reasons public for delaying the item. He said that he is a lifelong resident of Orange County and was originally slated to receive internet access through Lumos in summer 2024. He said he has asked for updates repeatedly and received excuses. He said the main goal is to get it done and get service. He asked the Board to be more transparent with the public. b. Matters on the Printed Agenda (These matters will be considered when the Board addresses that item on the agenda below.) 3. Announcements, Petitions and Comments by Board Members Commissioner Fowler said she attended a Board of Health where they learned about Medicaid cuts to hospitals and providers. She explained that even though the reduction in payments is concerning, the health department receives a yearly Medicaid cost settlement payment that helps make up the difference between Medicaid payments and actual service costs, which provides some relief for the Health Department. She said it is concerning for providers, and patients may be pushed towards Health departments as a result. She said they also received an update on communicable diseases and the confusion over access to the COVID-19 vaccine. She said earlier in the day she attended the Community Care Coalition, and they learned how providers help homeless individuals apply for SSI and SSDI. She said that individuals must be involved with healthcare for a year before they can qualify, and they still must prove that they have disabilities despite having healthcare. She said Boomerang is expanding service beyond school suspensions and doing training for ISS, community resiliency, and wellness skills. Commissioner Carter said she attended the annual NACo conference in July, where Orange County was recognized for achievements in social engagement for older adults, community care and diversion response, and the public art festival, Uproar. She described some of the sessions she attended, including disaster response and risk management. She said she attended a session with Google, where they discussed the massive infrastructure needed to support data centers as well as the economic development impacts. She said she is excited to work with the Tax Assessment Work Group. She said she is attending a four-day work shop on reappraisals at the School of Government. She said she met with US Representative Valerie Foushee to tour damage from Tropical Storm Chantal. She noted the previous improvements made to the Lake Orange dam which meant that the dam held during the storm and protected this critical water supply for Orange County. She expressed appreciation to the staff for their ongoing work helping survivors of Tropical Storm Chantal. Commissioner Greene said she saw a presentation on CAPER at the Affordable Housing Collaborative, and that information will be shared at an upcoming public hearing. She remembered Frayda Bluestein, a longtime, beloved faculty member of the School of Government who recently passed away. Chair Bedford said the Shred-A-Thon will be held at the Eubanks Park and Ride lot on Saturday. She encouraged people to attend and described the requirements for bringing materials to shred.