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32 <br /> Vice-Chair Fowler said there was a Library Task Force from 2020-2022 that reviewed <br /> interoperability and concluded it would not improve access or save money. That task force report was <br /> brought to the BOCC, which declined to increase funding and instead continued funding at the current <br /> level with approximately 2-3% annual increases, though the Board was unable to sustain the 3% <br /> increase every year. <br /> Chair Hamilton recalled that the Board had recognized even then that funding both the <br /> Southern Branch and the Chapel Hill Public Library at higher levels simultaneously would be difficult. She <br /> said libraries are not a mandatory county function. <br /> Commissioner Carter said she gets the impression that the people in Chapel Hill would be glad <br /> to take on a tax increase to continue library funding. <br /> Slide#13 <br /> FY 2026-27 Operating Budget Options <br /> • County Grant Programs <br /> Grant Pr <br /> . . <br /> Climate Action Grants $ 211,110 <br /> Opioid Grant Program $ 200,000 <br /> Small Business Grant Program $ 191,008 <br /> Agricultural Grant Program $ 173,644 <br /> TOTAL $ 775,762 <br /> See Policy Considerations on Slide 15-savings in these programs could be used to <br /> offset General Fund expenses <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> 13 NORTH CAROLINA <br /> Travis Myren briefly outlined the discretionary grant programs that offer potential flexibility, <br /> including the Climate Action Grant at $211,000 and the Opioid Grant Program, where reducing the <br /> $200,000 community grant allocation could allow general fund contracts qualifying under opioid <br /> settlement restrictions to be shifted to that fund, freeing up general fund dollars. <br /> Commissioner Bedford asked if the $200,000 in the Opioid Grant Program funds any county <br /> positions. <br /> Travis Myren said no. <br /> Commissioner Greene asked for clarification on how the opioid grant reallocation would work. <br /> Travis Myren explained that three contracts and other expenses currently funded by the general <br /> fund could qualify for opioid settlement funding. <br /> Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked if any of the opioid settlement money is being used to match <br /> federal dollars. <br /> Commissioner Greene clarified that the opioid settlement funds include money from the <br /> companies that created the opioid crisis. <br /> Travis Myren said this $200,000 goes to community organizations as recommended by the <br /> Opioid Advisory Committee. He said other opioid funds go toward related county-provided services. <br />