Minutes 04-07-2026-Business Meeting

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2 Turkey teams. She noted that this year's investment of$130,000 in the Savannah Bananas is expected to return about$7 million. Commissioner Carter acknowledged they were entering budget season and emphasized that the budget is a statement of the values of the Board and how it balances needs in an environment where costs are being pushed down to counties from the federal and state governments.She noted that April is County Government Month and looked forward to hearing about the county's applications for NACO's achievement awards. She highlighted the Telecommunicators Week Proclamation on the consent agenda and praised the outstanding 911 call center in Emergency Services, sharing that last year the center received 88,000 calls with over 96% answered within 10 seconds. She mentioned attending a "100 Counties Prepared" training session on Thursday for disaster scenarios. She congratulated Jonah Garson, an Orange County Planning Board member, who was designated as a Senate candidate for NC District 23. Vice-Chair Fowler highlighted the many proclamations on the consent agenda that couldn't be read individually, including Public Safety Telecom municators Week, Earth Day, Native Plant Month, and Volunteer Week. She specifically mentioned adding the Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day proclamation thanks to a constituent's request. She read a portion of the proclamation, which said the Board is designating April 10th as Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day in Orange County, recognizing young people's right to education, prevention, treatment, and care, and to live without criminalization, discrimination, oppression, and stigma." She also mentioned the recent Triangle West Transportation Planning Organization's(TPO)meeting and encouraged anyone interested in learning more to visit the Triangle West TPO website. Commissioner Portie-Ascott reported attending the General Services steering committee meeting where they heard from the Division of Water Infrastructure with the Department of Environmental Quality about new state water and sewer programs, including a pilot helping homeowners replace failing septic systems through forgivable loans. She found this particularly notable given community members' experiences with failing systems costing upwards of$60,000. She also attended a healthcare forum titled "Can I Afford My Healthcare"where the Health Director and Director of Social Services provided clear and practical insights on the challenges that residents are facing around their healthcare. She highlighted the nomination period for the 2026 Civic Excellence and Innovation Awards with NCACC,encouraging Orange County departments to apply by the April 20, 2026 deadline. Commissioner Bedford reminded everyone to wear blue on Friday for Child Abuse Prevention Week, noting it was moved from the first Friday due to Good Friday. As the Board's representative to the Partnership to End Homelessness, she announced that there would be a reorganization meeting on April 16, 2026, at the Drakeford Library Complex. The goal of the meeting will be to comply with Housing and Urban Development(HUD) requirements forthe Continuum of Care(CoC).She said the board composition will change, and a public kickoff meeting is scheduled. Chair Hamilton concluded by highlighting an information item recognizing county employees who retired between January 1, 2026, and March 31,2026.She expressed gratitude to all the retirees for their service to Orange County and its residents. She read the names and departments of the retirees. 4. Proclamations/ Resolutions/Special Presentations a. County Government Month Proclamation The Board approved a proclamation designating April 2026 as County Government Month in Orange County. BACKGROUND: The National Association of Counties (NACo) celebrates National County Government Month each April to educate the public about county government. A proclamation to acknowledge April 2026 as County Government Month is attached.