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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: March 17, 2026 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 6-a <br /> SUBJECT: Appointment of Tax Administrator to Serve as Acting Tax Collector and Acting <br /> Tax Assessor <br /> DEPARTMENT: County Manager <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Resolution 2023-018 (March 7, 2023) Travis Myren, County Manager, (919) <br /> Proposed Resolution for 2026 245-2308 <br /> Appointment John Roberts, County Attorney, (919) <br /> Relevant Statutes — NCGS 105-294 and 245-2318 <br /> NCGS 105-349 <br /> PURPOSE: To approve a resolution appointing John Burgiss as Orange County Tax <br /> Administrator, effective April 1, 2026, to serve as Acting Tax Assessor and Acting Tax Collector <br /> until such time a permanent Tax Administrator is hired to fill the unexpired term of Nancy Freeman <br /> which ends April 1, 2027. <br /> BACKGROUND: By Resolution 2023-018, adopted March 7, 2023 (Item 8-e), the Board of <br /> County Commissioners reappointed Nancy Freeman as Tax Assessor and Tax Collector, serving <br /> under the title of Tax Administrator, for a four-year term from April 2, 2023 through April 2, 2027. <br /> Ms. Freeman has announced her retirement effective April 1, 2026. Pursuant to the North Carolina <br /> General Statutes (NCGS), the Board is responsible for appointing a qualified individual to fill the <br /> unexpired portion of the term. The position of Tax Administrator is a consolidated role combining <br /> the statutory duties of County Assessor (NCGS 105-294), and Tax Collector (NCGS 105-349). <br /> Under NCGS 105-294, the Board shall appoint a county assessor who meets statutory <br /> qualifications and is certified by the North Carolina Department of Revenue. An appointee serves <br /> in an acting capacity until certification is obtained and must meet certification requirements within <br /> two years of appointment. <br /> Under NCGS 105-349 (b), the Board shall appoint as tax collector a person of character and <br /> integrity whose experience in business and collection work is satisfactory to the governing body. <br /> With Board approval of the resolution, Mr. Burgiss would serve until such time a permanent Tax <br /> Administrator is hired to fill the unexpired term of Nancy Freeman which ends April 1, 2027 <br /> ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: This item supports: <br /> • MISSION STATEMENT — Orange County is a visionary leader in providing governmental <br /> services valued by our community, beyond those required by law, in an equitable, <br /> sustainable, innovative, and efficient way. <br />