Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
MINUTES <br /> ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES <br /> February 23,2026 <br /> THE ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MET ON MONDAY: February 23rd, at the Orange <br /> County Department of Social Services at 113 Mayo Street, Hillsborough, NC 27278. <br /> BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MEMBERS PRESENT: Oscar Fleming, Chris Barnes, Jamezetta Bedford, <br /> Ann Wilkerson, and Jane Garrett. <br /> GUEST: Bryten Burns <br /> BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MEMBERS ABSENT: None <br /> STAFF PRESENT: Lindsey Shewmaker, Social Services Director; Sharron Hinton, Assistant Director; Crystal <br /> Wiese, Assistant Director; LaXecia Robbins, Economic Services Program Manager; Serena McPherson, <br /> Administrative Officer II; and Rebekah Rapoza, Fiscal Operations Manager <br /> I. Call to Order and Introductions <br /> DSS board chair, Oscar Fleming, called the meeting to order at 4:05 pm. <br /> II. Board Comments <br /> None <br /> III. Public Comments <br /> None <br /> IV. Agenda Changes <br /> None. <br /> V. Action Items <br /> A motion was made to approve the January 2026 Board Meeting Minutes by Jane Garrett. Ann <br /> Wilkerson seconded the motion. All board members were in favor. <br /> VI. Items for Discussion and/or Decision <br /> 1. FY 2026-27 Budget Presentation <br /> Lindsey Shewmaker, Director, and Rebekah Rapoza, Fiscal Operations Manager presented the budget <br /> to the Board. All Board Members received a budget book prior to today's meeting. Ms. Shewmaker <br /> provided an overview of the FY26-27 budget drivers. Fiscal Manager, Rebekah Rapoza, reviewed the <br /> proposed budget summary which includes only a $109,000 increase. Ms. Shewmaker stated the <br /> agency tried to be very judicious in the budget process this year. Board chair, Oscar Fleming stated he <br /> was impressed with the overall budget summary. Ms. Rapoza reviewed the summary of budget <br /> changes amongst the areas of operations, capital charges, and IT expenses. Director Shewmaker <br /> pointed out we relied heavily on the state budget estimates and provided an explanation of capped <br /> versus uncapped allocations. Board member, Ann Wilkerson, asked for explanation of two programs <br /> listed in the budget—Second Family Foundation (SFF) and START. Assistant Director, Crystal Wiese, <br /> explained SFF is a private foundation that we partner with who serves youth from the child welfare <br /> division. They have an employment program (offering transportation) as well as offer overlay <br /> 1 <br />