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7 <br /> 1 WHEREAS, Mental Health Awareness Month is an opportunity to increase public understanding of the <br /> 2 importance of mental health and to promote the identification and treatment of mental illness; <br /> 3 <br /> 4 NOW THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, do hereby recognize May 2026 as <br /> 5 Mental Health Awareness Month in Orange County and shine a light on mental health and the need for <br /> 6 long-term improvements in our mental health care system and improved access to care so no one feels <br /> 7 alone. <br /> 8 <br /> 9 This the 5th day of May, 2026. <br /> 10 <br /> 11 <br /> 12 Jean Hamilton, Chair <br /> 13 Orange County Board of Commissioners <br /> 14 <br /> 15 A motion was made by Commissioner Carter, seconded by Commissioner McKee, to approve the <br /> 16 proclamation designating May 2026 as"Mental Health Awareness Month"in Orange County and authorize <br /> 17 the Chair to sign the proclamation. <br /> 18 <br /> 19 VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> 20 <br /> 21 Chair Hamilton spoke about the importance of mental health care as a provider herself, urging <br /> 22 those in need to keep seeking help even if the first provider is not a good fit. <br /> 23 Vice-Chair Fowler said she was wearing green in honor of mental health. She expressed hope for <br /> 24 continued work toward a behavioral health urgent care facility <br /> 25 Commissioner Bedford said Commissioner Carter has served on one of the Governor's committees <br /> 26 for mental health. <br /> 27 <br /> 28 c. Presentation of Manager's Recommended Fiscal Year 2026-27 Annual Operating Budget <br /> 29 The Board received a presentation on the Manager's Recommended FY 2026-27 Annual Operating Budget. <br /> 30 <br /> 31 BACKGROUND: Each year in the month of May, the County Manager presents the Board of County <br /> 32 Commissioners with a recommended spending plan for the next fiscal year. During the meeting, the <br /> 33 Manager provides a brief presentation of the Recommended FY 2026-27 Annual Operating Budget. <br /> 34 <br /> 35 The Board of County Commissioners will conduct two Public Hearings -the first at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, <br /> 36 May 12,2026,and the second on Thursday, May 28,2026 at 7:00 pm. In addition,the Board has scheduled <br /> 37 the following Budget Work Sessions: <br /> 38 <br /> 39 • May 14, 2026 - Budget Work Session with Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, Orange County <br /> 40 Schools, Durham Tech Community College and Outside Agencies. <br /> 41 <br /> 42 • May 21, 2026 - Budget Work Session with Fire Districts and County Departments within the <br /> 43 following Functional Leadership Teams: Public Safety (Courts, Emergency Services, Criminal <br /> 44 Justice Resource Department, and the Sheriff's Office); Human Services (Child Support, <br /> 45 Department of Social Services, Department of Aging, Health, Housing Department, Equity and <br /> 46 Inclusion, Library Services and Alliance Health) <br /> 47 <br />