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3 <br /> Vice-Chair Hamilton shared a conversation she had with a friend regarding the term <br /> "revenue neutral tax rate." She said that the friend thought that it would be revenue neutral for <br /> an individual property owner, but it is revenue neutral for the county. She said that revaluation is <br /> mandated by the state, and it redistributes the tax burden across the county and properties. <br /> She said she received a question about why the Board was focusing on a Tax Assessment Work <br /> Group. She gave an example of how the revaluation and a revenue neutral tax rate would <br /> affect a property owner, and demonstrated how an individual's increase in property taxes might <br /> be more impacted by the revaluation rather than the property tax rate. She followed up on <br /> Commissioner Fowler' comments and said mental health providers will also see the impact of <br /> Medicaid rate reductions. <br /> Commissioner Portie-Ascott said there was interest in renewing House Bill 118, which <br /> would increase the Homestead Exemption for disabled veterans from $45,000 to $61,000. She <br /> said that in Orange County, it would affect 209 accounts. She said she reached out to NCACC <br /> with that information so they could indicate support for the bill. She said she attended the <br /> Orange County Partnership for Drug Free Youth. She said she will attend the final session of <br /> fifth cohort of the Hunt Institute, where they will focus on support for high school to post- <br /> secondary education. <br /> Commissioner McKee spoke about the Lumos contract and his desire to ensure that the <br /> original terms of the contract are met. He emphasized his commitment to Orange County <br /> residents and in keeping promises. <br /> 4. Proclamations/ Resolutions/ Special Presentations <br /> a. Orange County Preparedness Month Proclamation <br /> The Board approved a proclamation declaring September 2025 as "Orange County <br /> Preparedness Month." <br /> BACKGROUND: National Preparedness Month is recognized each September to promote <br /> family and community disaster planning now and throughout the year. North Carolina continues <br /> to experience a high volume of disasters, to include the severe weather, flooding events, and <br /> extreme temperatures. So far this year, Orange County has experienced multiple watches and <br /> warnings issued by the National Weather Service for severe weather and flooding. <br /> The most devastating disaster this year so far is Tropical Storm Chantal. On July 6th, Tropical <br /> Storm Chantal brought over ten (10) inches of rain in a short period of time to the Orange <br /> County community. This caused widespread flooding that resulted in over 70 water rescues, <br /> nearly 8,000 calls to 9-1-1, and the tragic death of one (1) person as she was travelling to work. <br /> Initial damage estimates of the storm include 448 homes with damage, an estimated $26 million <br /> in commercial damages, and over$24 million in damages to public infrastructure. <br /> It is critical that everyone works together as a community to ensure that people are connected <br /> and prepared to remain resilient in the face of future disasters. All residents of Orange County <br /> are encouraged to take the month of September to build a disaster kit for their families, make an <br /> emergency plan, and get connected with OC Alerts (Orange County's emergency <br /> notification/information system) to stay informed during emergencies. <br /> Sarah Pickhardt, Emergency Management Division Chief, introduced the item. <br /> Commissioners read the following proclamation in turn: <br />