Agenda 05-05-2026; 6-a - Approval of a Contract with GAR Associates, LLC to Evaluate the Reappraisal and Tax Assessment Process in Orange County

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1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: May 5, 2026 Action Agenda Item No. 6-a SUBJECT: Approval of a Contract with GAR Associates, LLC to Evaluate the Reappraisal and Tax Assessment Process in Orange County DEPARTMENT: County Manager ATTACHMENTS: INFORMATION CONTACT: Contract with GAR Associates, LLC Travis Myren, 919-245-2308 PURPOSE: To approve a contract with GAR Associates, LLC to evaluate the reappraisal and tax assessment process in Orange County and make recommendations for improvement. BACKGROUND: The Orange County Tax Administration Office completed a revaluation of real property in 2025. Following community feedback and Board concerns about potential deficiencies in the County's reappraisal process, the Board of County Commissioners created a Tax Assessment Work Group and charged it to evaluate the policies, processes, and procedures used by Tax Administration to determine property values. Work Group representatives include three (3) County Commissioners, the County Manager, the Director from the Community Justice Collaborative of the North Carolina Housing Coalition, the Tax Administrator, a representative from the Orange County Property Tax Justice Coalition, the Budget Director, the Director of Civil Rights and Civic Life, a non-profit housing provider, the Community Relations Director, and four (4) community members representing different geographic areas in the County. One of the specific tasks of the Work Group is to provide feedback and input to a consultant retained by the County to conduct a detailed evaluation of reappraisal processes and make recommendations for improvement. In December 2025, the County issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to conduct this analysis. The County received two (2) responses. The County Manager, Budget Director, Deputy Tax Assessor, and the three (3) Commissioners appointed to the Work Group initially reviewed the proposals and advanced both to the Work Group to provide its recommendation. All of the parties agreed that the proposal from GAR Associates, LLC was the most responsive to the scope of services outlined in the RFP. Scope of Services The consultant was asked to solicit input and feedback from the Tax Assessment Work Group, County Commissioners, County staff, members of the Board of Equalization and Review, and other stakeholders as it conducts its evaluation. The scope of work as detailed in the attached RFP includes nine (9) elements: 1. Review of processes, procedures, and methodologies used by the Tax Office to assess property values.