Agenda 04-07-2026; 8-a - Minutes for March 5, 2026, March 10, 2026, and March 17, 2026

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2 1 b. Matters on the Printed Agenda 2 (These matters will be considered when the Board addresses that item on the agenda below.) 3 4 3. Announcements, Petitions and Comments by Board Members 5 Commissioner Carter deferred to Commissioner Portie-Ascott to give an update on the 6 Greater Chapel Hill Chamber of Commerce's 2026 Economic Forecast Forum, highlighting 7 Orange County's rankings: fourth in the state for employment growth, fourth for GDP growth, and 8 eleventh for housing permit growth. She said she attended the North Carolina Association of 9 Counties' Health and Human Services steering committee meeting, where she learned about 10 behavioral and mental health innovations. She noted Orange County is implementing many of 11 the same innovative practices mentioned by state officials, including behavioral health urgent care 12 centers and crisis counselor integration with 911 call centers. 13 Commissioner Portie-Ascott noted the passing of Mae McLendon, whose service to the 14 community left a lasting impact. She said she attended the Economic Forecast Forum, where 15 172 businesses surveyed identified housing affordability and supply as the primary factor making 16 hiring difficult. She noted similar themes emerged at the District Nine NCACC meeting and in 17 discussions with the Orange Chatham Association of Realtors, where there was strong interest in 18 the county's emergency housing assistance programs and landlord incentive funds. She said she 19 attended the Affordable Housing Advisory Board along with Commissioners McKee and Carter. 20 She said what is consistent across the meetings is how the lack of housing affects who is able to 21 stay in Orange County. 22 Commissioner Bedford said she attended the DSS Board meeting, and that she's joining 23 the NCACC steering committee on Thursday with the taxation subcommittee. 24 Vice-Chair Fowler said she took the Department of Revenue Board of Equalization and 25 Review training. She said it emphasized the importance of consistency in how appellants are 26 treated. She said she received a request to add a National Youth HIV and AIDS Awareness Day 27 proclamation to an agenda before April 10. She highlighted important information about the 28 impact of HIV and AIDS on youth ages 13 to 24. She noted two important proclamations on the 29 consent agenda. 30 Commissioner McKee said the following day there will be a meeting in Raleigh on property 31 tax reduction and reform that he plans to listen to. He said that legislative leaders may release 32 draft legislation relating to property tax changes. 33 Commissioner Greene said she attended the Housing Collaborative group and 34 representatives from all four jurisdictions agreed to discuss affordable housing. She said she 35 wanted to better understand what each jurisdiction is doing and how the different housing groups 36 work together. She said she sent a memo to the commissioners on information and data for 37 providing affordable housing. 38 Commissioner McKee requested that the County Attorney follow up on the comments 39 made by Makeda Ma'at. 40 Chair Hamilton paid tribute to Mae McLendon and her work for the people in Orange 41 County. She said she attended the funeral of Master Trooper Perry of the NC Highway Patrol. 42 She said the service was a reminder of the dedication of first responders. She noted important 43 items on the consent agenda. She said she attended the Advisory Council on Aging where they 44 had a presentation on adult protective services and the role they play in improving the welfare of 45 older adults. 46 47