Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
MINUTES <br /> ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH <br /> February 25, 2026 <br /> Access to Public Health Resources, including sharing it with other local health departments and <br /> local law enforcement offices. The Photovoice project is ongoing and is ramping up for another <br /> round of data collection over the summer to hear from individuals eligible for Medicaid and, time <br /> permitting, those living in rural communities. The committee is refining recruitment materials and <br /> working to recruit a new summer intern. The committee will next meet in mid-March. <br /> Behavioral Health Committee <br /> Dr. Nickelson provided the update for the Behavioral Health committee. The committee met <br /> in early February and heard from Dr. Evan Ashkin, Director of the Formerly Incarcerated <br /> Transitions (FIT) Program, and Shatocka Carlton, Community Health Worker, about the FIT <br /> Wellness Program, which helps individuals with serious mental illness transition out of <br /> incarceration. The process begins prior to release and allows individuals to set their own goals <br /> and work with a support team to help achieve them while receiving assistance with needs like <br /> housing, primary care, and cell phone access. The committee is also preparing for National <br /> Screen-Free Week, which is coming up in May. The committee will next meet in early April. <br /> Dr. Jonnal noted that she knows of a group of parents with whom the Board may be able to <br /> collaborate for Screen-Free Week. <br /> Connections to Community Support Committee <br /> Dr. Jonnal provided an overview of the Connections to Community Support committee, <br /> sharing that the committee has previously produced a resolution on affordable housing and is <br /> working with local governments to promote changes in land use and zoning plans. Mr. Whitaker <br /> added that he has had some follow up with local elected officials, such as an ongoing <br /> conversation with Commissioner Sally Greene and some positive feedback from the Chapel Hill <br /> Town Council. The committee will next meet in early March. <br /> Dr. Serrano shared that he is currently working with Orange County Habitat for Humanity <br /> around homeownership rates, and that in the past he has done work on the impact of zoning <br /> and neighborhood development on physical activity and nutrition. <br /> Ad Hoc Committee on Well Rules <br /> Mr. Whitaker provided the update for the Ad Hoc Committee on Well Rules, reminding <br /> everyone that the committee was formed in response to a recent court case litigating a point <br /> where the Orange County Groundwater Protection Rules differed from the State Groundwater <br /> Protection Rules regarding the required horizontal setback between a well and a building <br /> foundation. The committee is working on a policy statement to clarify how the rule will be <br /> interpreted going forward, which they hope to present for action at the March meeting. The <br /> committee will next meet in mid-March. <br /> VII. Educational Sessions <br /> A. Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 <br /> Frederick Perschau, Financial and Administrative Services Director, presented the budget <br /> request and proposed fee changes for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 (FY26-27). Some highlights of his <br /> presentation are below: <br /> S:\Managers Working Files\BOH\Agendas &Abstracts\2026 Agenda and Abstracts\ <br /> February Page 3 <br />