Minutes 05-05-2026-Business Meeting

Browse Search

1 APPROVED 6/2/26 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BUSINESS MEETING May 5, 2026 7:00 p.m. The Orange County Board of Commissioners met for a Business Meeting on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at the Whiffed Human Services Center in Hillsborough, NC. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Jean Hamilton, Vice-Chair Amy Fowler, and Commissioners Jamezetta Bedford, Marilyn Carter, Sally Greene, Earl McKee, and Phyllis Portie-Ascott COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: None. COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT: John Roberts COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Travis Myren, Deputy County Manager Caitlin Fenhagen, and Clerk to the Board Laura Jensen. (All other staff members will be identified appropriately below) Chair Hamilton called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. All commissioners were present. 1. Additions or Changes to the Agenda Chair Hamilton requested to amend the agenda by adding a letter to Zoe Tolmie as item 8-1 on the consent agenda, congratulating her on winning an honorable mention in C-SPAN's 22nd annual student documentary competition. Commissioner McKee made a motion to amend the agenda by adding a letter to Zoe Tolmie as item 8-1 on the consent agenda. Commissioner Carter seconded the motion. VOTE: UNANIMOUS Commissioner Greene made a motion to remove item 8-f from the consent agenda so that a revised version of the Jewish-American Heritage Month Proclamation could be considered. Commissioner McKee seconded the motion. VOTE: UNANIMOUS Chair Hamilton read the public charge. 2. Public Comments(Limited to One Hour) a. Matters not on the Printed Agenda Gayanne Chambless thanked the Board for recognizing Principal Jason Johnson and that mental health is a critical part of well-being. She challenged the community to do more for mental health awareness and trainings. She described free training opportunities available to the public. She highlighted that the Orange Partnership Coalition's federal SAMHSA Partnerships for Success (PFS) grant has funded over$53,000 in training costs over the past two years at no cost to county government, but that the grant ends in 2027. She asked the board how it would support these efforts going forward. Sandra Theard described difficulties she is having with a property tax appeal and asked the Board for assistance. Laura Horrigan described the need for increased school funding. She made three points:first,that teachers are superstars who need competitive pay to be retained, as they cannot live on state pay alone;