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1 <br /> APPROVED 2117/26 <br /> MINUTES <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> BUSINESS MEETING <br /> January 20, 2026 <br /> 7:00 p.m. <br /> The Orange County Board of Commissioners met for a Business Meeting on Tuesday, January <br /> 20, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at the Whitted Human Services Center in Hillsborough, NC. <br /> COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Jean Hamilton, Vice-Chair Amy Fowler, and <br /> Commissioners Jamezetta Bedford, Marilyn Carter, Sally Greene, Earl McKee, and Phyllis <br /> Portie-Ascott <br /> COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: None. <br /> COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT: John Roberts <br /> COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: Deputy County Manager Caitlin Fenhagen and Clerk to the Board <br /> Laura Jensen. (All other staff members will be identified appropriately below) <br /> Chair Hamilton called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. All commissioners were present. <br /> 1. Additions or Changes to the Agenda <br /> There were no changes to the agenda. <br /> Chair Hamilton read the public charge. <br /> 2. Public Comments (Limited to One Hour) <br /> a. Matters not on the Printed Agenda <br /> Carol Conway expressed concerns about oversight for the Department of Social <br /> Services. She said that if there is a case that is not about discrimination and is bungled, there is <br /> no recourse. She said that disability is mentioned in the strategic plan, but not in the outcomes. <br /> She had three recommendations: 1) fund an independent ombudsman, 2) agency-wide training <br /> on facts about intellectual and developmental disabilities, and 3) hire more disabled workers in <br /> the county system and consider how volunteers with more severe disabilities can contribute to <br /> the county with supervision. <br /> Gary Linz expressed concerns about procedures at land records at the Register of <br /> Deeds and clerical errors that resulted in his property being transferred to another individual <br /> without his knowledge or consent. He said that he has not been given satisfactory answers <br /> from the County Manager and that the Sheriff does not appear to be interested in investigating <br /> any crimes related to these errors. He said he wants answers to his questions and will continue <br /> to speak at commissioners' meetings. <br /> b. Matters on the Printed Agenda <br /> (These matters will be considered when the Board addresses that item on the agenda below.) <br /> 3. Announcements, Petitions and Comments by Board Members <br /> Commissioner McKee said that at the retreat the Board heard disturbing news about the <br /> possible budget shortfalls and encouraged the community to pay attention. <br /> Commissioner Portie-Ascott said she attended multiple NAACP events in relation to the <br /> observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. She said she attended the NCACC General <br /> Government Steering Committee, where they focused on the lack of affordable housing in North <br /> Carolina. She said the NC Housing Coalition presented housing strategies that work across <br /> North Carolina. She said they are fighting to remove eviction filings on a tenant's record even <br />