Orange County 2026 Priority Legislative Issues

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5 space in the Eno River, Cane Creek, Little River, and New Hope Creek watersheds upstream of public water supply intakes. • The County has also partnered with state and federal agencies, other local governments and non-profits that awarded over $6.1 million in grants for park acquisition/construction and for conserving farms and open space. • $1.44 million in State funding for farm easements in FY 25 will turn into $3 million of land protected for future farm use. GENERAL GOVERNMENT (NCACC Legislative Advocacy Goal Category) Orange County faces rising housing costs, aging homes, and shrinking affordability, pushing workers and families out of the community. • GOAL — Seek legislation to increase funding for preserving and repairing existing affordable housing. (Strategic Plan Priority 3, Objective 8, ORANGE COUNTY TOP 6 GOAL) TALKING POINTS/LOCAL IMPACT • The HOME 2025-2029 Plan and community groups identify home repair as a top community priority. • The Home Preservation Coalition reports a $2 million shortfall to clear the backlog of urgent repairs. The Orange County Home Preservation Coalition is a collaborative of organizations (county departments, towns, non-profits) that provide home repairs and modifications to Orange County residents. Urgent Repairs are defined as repairs that are imminent threats to health and safety, or to provide accessibility modifications. The Urgent repair Program is for emergency, urgent and critical repairs only. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (NCACC Legislative Advocacy Goal Category) Orange County lacks the behavioral health capacity needed to keep people out of crisis, out of jail, and safely in the community. • GOAL — Seek legislation to expand behavioral health treatment resources and crisis system capacity. (Strategic Plan Priority 2, Objectives 1 & 2, ORANGE COUNTY TOP 6 GOAL) TALKING POINTS • Sequential Intercept Mapping identifies major gaps: no youth crisis facility, long waits for Central Regional beds, limited residential and outpatient services. • The County is constructing a Crisis Diversion Facility with no committed state funding. • PORT and CARE Teams rely on grant funding ending June 30, 2026. • Behavioral Health Urgent Care is not fully reimbursable: Medicaid is reimbursed by both Standard and Tailored plans; Uninsured/IPRS is dependent on the LME/MCO if they have state funds available to pay; Private/3rd Party/Commercial insurance does not pay at this time. This is true for children and adults.