February Update

Feb 18

*My sorority sisters* ***Marie Spencer,Natasha Adams****, and I attended a Meet and Greet for Congresswoman* ***Valerie Foushee*** *at Lee's Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Cedar Grove.*

February is a month to reflect, learn, and take stock of how our values show up in practice. Across Orange County, that means investing in our children, honoring local history, and doing the hard work of keeping people housed, especially in a challenging fiscal year.

And please don’t forget, Early Voting is already underway. On March 3rd, Orange County will elect a new school board. Additionally, through Primary Voting, we will help determine candidates for state-wide elections in November, including who will run for US Senate. Also, this March election will decide the Democratic candidates for two seats on the BOCC. Because of a lack of Republican challengers, the election will determine the Sheriff for the next 4 years, who will become the new Register of Deeds, and who will represent us in Raleigh. Please be sure to cast your ballot. You can find all the information about the candidates, where to vote, and how to volunteer to help at the Orange Dems website.

Black History Month: Focusing On Literacy and Representation

This week, I was invited back to Carrboro Elementary School for the 3rd time to participate in the Annual African American Read-In. It is an honor to be included in this 10 year tradition.

As I read Mae Among the Stars by Roda Ahmed, the students were engaged, curious, and unafraid to imagine big futures for themselves. This story of the first black woman astronaut is a great example of why literacy and representation matter. I was reminded again that showing up consistently makes a difference.

Local Black History Month Events

Black history is also local history. Hillsborough is offering several opportunities this month to learn and reflect together. I hope you will be able to enjoy one of these opportunities.

Untold Stories: Black History in Our Backyard

February 28, 2pm

Burwell School Historic Site

This presentation highlights the lives, contributions, and resilience of Black residents in Hillsborough and Orange County.

Black History Walking Tour (Self-Guided)

Available throughout February

Hosted by the Alliance for Historic Hillsborough, this tour explores the stories of enslaved and free Black residents in antebellum Hillsborough.

Orange County Public Library Programs

Throughout February

The Orange County Public Library is hosting film screenings, book discussions, youth programs, and curated displays all month.

Dr. Sonny Kelly

Thursday, Feb. 19, 6pm

George H. White was the fourth African American to represent North Carolina in Congress. In 1901, after North Carolina passed legislation disenfranchising Black voters, he declined to seek another term. North Carolina did not elect another African American to Congress until 1992. On Thursday, February 19 at the Chapel Hill Public Library, storyteller and performer Dr. Sonny Kelly will reenact the speech White gave as he left his elected office; a panel discussion will follow. Learn more and register here.

Housing Stability

Last week I attended a spirited candidate forum at Mt. Zion AME Church where residents spoke clearly about their concerns around housing affordability, displacement, and rising property taxes. Housing stability is one of the clearest indicators of whether a community is healthy and thriving. I’m proud that the Board of County Commissioners has focused on preventing displacement, improving fairness in property taxation, and expanding access to housing supports. I know there is still work to do on this issue. I’m hearing residents call for deeper affordability, stronger displacement prevention, and fairness in the tax system. These concerns are real, and they are shared. These concerns are exactly what is shaping the work we are doing right now.

Since October 2025, I have served as one of three co-chairs of the Orange County Tax Assessment Work Group. This group has been reviewing how property values are assessed, how appeals work, and how the County communicates with residents. An independent consultant review is now underway to ensure our assessment process increases equity, transparency, and public trust.

Assessment reform, however, is only one part of the housing picture. Orange County is already investing in tools that help people stay housed. Here is more information:

Longtime Homeowners Assistance Program and Repair Assistance Fund to support residents on fixed or low incomes
Strategic use of federal HOME funds for down payment assistance, rehabilitation, and tenant-based rental support
Emergency Housing Assistance for rent, utilities, and short-term housing crises
A Housing Helpline and affordable housing listings to connect residents with resources

Subsidies and assistance programs matter, but they have to be paired with long-term sustainability; otherwise, we’re addressing symptoms instead of changing the conditions that keep people at risk of being priced out of their homes.

We work closely with trusted partners like CASA, Habitat for Humanity, and Community Home Trust to preserve affordability and expand sustainable homeownership.

The County also funds an Eviction Diversion Program that helps tenants and landlords resolve short-term crises before eviction occurs. This keeps families housed, children in school, and neighborhoods stable.

All of this work is happening as Orange County faces an approximately $20 million budget shortfall. Even in a tight budget year, I believe that prevention-focused housing investments are not optional, they are essential.

Why State Decisions Matter Locally

I hear the ask for deeper affordability, stronger displacement-prevention funding, and expanded support for homeownership – particularly for families earning under $55,000. I hear the plea loud and clear. I share the desire to increase these local safety net measures. AND I know that funding these priorities requires stable local revenue.

You may have seen a recent story in the news about state lawmakers reviewing proposals that could reduce or restructure local property taxes. While counties set their own tax rates, state-level decisions can limit local revenue. For example, if the state caps property taxes but does not increase the funding they provide, our ability to fund schools and public safety agencies, as well as create housing programs will diminish.

If county revenue is constrained, our ability to provide truly affordable housing will become even more limited, and lower-income families will remain at risk of being priced out of the area despite strong community support. In other words, Orange County will have fewer dollars to meet our local needs. That’s why I’m supportive of protecting our local revenue flexibility while also pushing for practical, targeted investments that keep housing affordable for the families who are most vulnerable.

Election 2026 - Meet the Candidates Event
Sunday, Feb. 22, 3pm
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.®️, Psi Gamma Omega Chapter, in partnership with the Chapel Hill–Carrboro Area Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.®️is sponsoring a “Meet the Candidates” event in Hillsborough on Sunday, Feb. 22 at 3pm. Please join us to hear from candidates for County Commissioner, Sheriff, and Register of Deeds. Reserve your spot today!

Closing

As always, it is my honor to serve as your commissioner here in Orange County. Whether it’s reading to students, focusing on local history, or making careful budget decisions, my focus remains the same: showing up, listening, and doing the work needed to build a better tomorrow for Orange County. Thank you for staying engaged, and don’t forget to vote.

Yours in service,