August Update
Marilyn Carter (Orange County Commissioner), Rob English (HIllsborough Town Council), Phyllis Portie-Ascott, Sally Greene (Orange County Commissioner), Allen Buansi (NC House Representative) and Mark Bell (Hillsborough Mayor) on the Auman Village Tour
Serving, Standing Strong Together, and Celebrating
I hope you’ve been able to find moments of joy this summer, even in the middle of challenges we’ve faced together. Between flooding and federal job and funding cuts, it is for some beyond challenging. Please know that your locally elected officials are working hard to mitigate the fallout from these unfortunate and tragic events.
Chantal Updates
For those impacted by Tropical Storm Chantal, I know recovery can feel overwhelming, and my heart goes out to everyone facing loss or disruption. The Disaster Recovery Assistance Center at the Drakeford Library Complex in Carrboro is open to help. State grants are available for temporary housing, property replacement, and medical costs. Visit www.ReadyOrange.org for complete details.
Also, the U.S. Small Business Administration is also offering low-interest loans to homeowners and businesses; walk in or schedule an appointment at appointment.sba.gov. Please share this information with neighbors, friends, or coworkers who may need it — no one should have to navigate recovery alone. Here are the details for that service.
Affordable Housing Coming to Hillsborough
In our community, there’s more good news on the housing front. Habitat for Humanity’s Auman Village located in Hillsborough will soon bring 75 townhomes for lower-income residents right here in Orange County. Twenty of those units are set aside for workforce housing, helping those who work here also have the chance to live here. Projects like this are exactly what we need to keep our community diverse and thriving. It is one of my goals to support pathways to local housing for our workforce, and this project is right on target.
Celebrating Youth Achievement in Northern Orange County
I was glad to attend Walk Fairview Day 2025, hosted by Fairview Youth in Action — a paid summer internship program for high school students in the Fairview community. These youth spent their summers researching neighborhood needs and creating proposals for change, including improvements to public transit access that will make it easier for residents to connect to work, school, and services. The event showcased their research through a guided neighborhood walk and community resource tables, and it was inspiring to see their ideas turning into real community improvements.
Walk Fairview Day. Young Leaders presenting their progress.
Tiana Oxendine
Scholarship Nominee
It was my honor to nominate Cedar Ridge Graduate Tiana Oxendine for the NC Association of Black County Commissioners College Scholarship Program. Tiana graduated magna cum laude from Cedar Ridge High School with a weighted 4.0 GPA and was accepted directly into UNCG’s School of Nursing. She plans to earn a BSN with a specialization in Neonatal Intensive Care — a goal inspired by her own health journey and the life-changing impact of compassionate healthcare.
She’s completed IB and honors courses, served in the National Honor Society and the Minority Achievers Program, mentored younger athletes as a varsity basketball player, and volunteered through park cleanups, blood drives, and fundraising for UNC-Chapel Hill athletics. This summer, she earned her CNA certification to strengthen her patient-care skills before college.
The scholarship winner will be announced on August 22 in Pitt County. No matter the outcome, Tiana has already made history for being Orange County’s very first nominee, and I know she will make a difference in the world.
Property Taxes: What’s Happening Now and What’s Next
ABC News recently reported how property tax assessments can hit longtime homeowners harder than newer buyers, especially in communities of color. Early feedback and trends in Orange County suggest we may be seeing similar challenges, with this year’s revaluation increasing home values by an average of 52%.
The 2025 property tax bills were mailed this week. About 1,000 properties are still under appeal, and the Tax Office is continuing neighborhood reviews countywide. If a property’s value is adjusted, the owner will get an updated bill and — if they’ve already paid — a refund.
We’ve also expanded the budget for the Longtime Homeowners Assistance Program to $370,000+ so more residents can get help with the county portion of their tax bill. The program is open now through November (details at orangecountync.gov/LHA).
Many residents have asked why the Board of County Commissioners can’t simply exempt seniors from paying property taxes. In North Carolina, counties are bound by state law — we can only offer the relief programs allowed by the N.C. General Assembly. Right now, that includes the Elderly or Disabled Homestead Exclusion, the Circuit Breaker Tax Deferment, and the Disabled Veteran Exclusion.
While we can’t create new exemptions locally, we can make sure every eligible resident knows about and applies for these programs. Expanding or creating new exemptions would require action from state lawmakers, and I’m committed to advocating for more relief.
This fall, we’ll form a workgroup to explore better assessment tools, learn from other counties, and research national solutions. My goal is simple: fair assessments and keeping people in their homes.
Thank you to everyone who has spoken up and shared their stories. Your voices are helping shape the solutions we’re putting in place.
Have Your Say: Help Shape North Carolina’s Next 10-Year Transportation Plan
The N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is asking for your input on what transportation projects should be included in the 2028–2037 State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). This 10-year plan guides investments to improve safety, reduce congestion, and promote economic growth across the state. It includes highway, ferry, rail, public transportation, bicycle & pedestrian, and aviation projects. Learn more here.
Public Comment Period: July 28 – August 29, 2025
Contact & Accessibility:
Hotline: 512-580-8850 (Project Code: 4669)
Email: ncdot-stip@publicinput.com
ADA Services: Emily Richards, edrichards1@ncdot.gov or 919-707-6014
Language Assistance: 1-800-481-6494
Know that your voice matters — this is your chance to help shape North Carolina’s future with regard to transportation.
Another Opportunity for Me to Serve
I was elected to serve as the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners’ District 9 Director. While I feel honored to serve in this role, I will use my position to connect counties in our district, share important NCACC information with fellow Commissioners, and serve as an ambassador for the Association, which works directly with the state legislature to advocate for counties across the state. I’m looking forward to strengthening collaboration across our region over the next two years and advocating for ways that local governments can make even a bigger difference in the quality of life for our residents.
In closing, let me share that this week is extra special for me as a parent — our whole family is under one roof as my son returns from his internship in NYC, and both he and my daughter get ready to head off to college on Friday.
In faith and service,
