July Update
Perry Hills Mini Park Ribbon Cutting
Standing Together in the Storm and Struggle
Hello Orange County Neighbors,
There has been a lot happening since my last newsletter. I know that you’ve seen a lot of coverage about Tropical Storm Chantal. I’m grateful to our emergency crews, volunteers, and county staff, who worked around the clock to care for the over 200 homes in our county that were impacted—some destroyed. Nearly 200 people were displaced. The losses—emotional, financial, and physical—are overwhelming. But in the face of this adversity, we stand strong.
I’ve talked with community members who had to clean up damage from the storm as they wonder what’s next for their lives, others who recount near miss stories of relatives or friends, then others who want me to help them make sense of the current world in which we live.
Flooding at the Eno River Mill, home of the Orange County Arts Commission and Eno Arts Mill Gallery
I thank those of you who reached out to check on me and my family. Your kindness means more than you know. I’m grateful to share that we did not experience any storm damage. My son is finishing up an internship this summer—something he worked hard to get after struggling last year. And my daughter just completed her freshman year and is preparing to transfer to a new university this fall. Like many of you, my life is a balancing act and your prayers and encouragement mean everything.
While we recover from the storm, we’re also staying alert to potential changes at the federal level that could impact life-saving programs like Medicaid and SNAP here in North Carolina. These programs are critical to daily life for many in Orange County—especially our children, seniors, and working families. I want you to know that our County Manager and staff are closely monitoring developments and actively planning for potential impacts. I’ve been participating in NCACC briefings so we can stay informed, ask the right questions, and respond with care and preparation. We are committed to supporting our residents through whatever lies ahead, and we will keep you updated on any significant changes.
We’re also addressing concerns raised by community members—especially from the Orange County Property Tax Justice Coalition—about the recent property revaluation process. Many have pointed out the disproportionate effect on historically Black neighborhoods and lower-income homeowners. Here is what we have done so far.
We hired an independent consultant to run a robust equity analysis—so that we can catch and correct errors now, before values are finalized.
We’re encouraging any individual property owners who believe their valuation is inaccurate to file an appeal by July 31. CLICK HERE TO APPEAL.
The Tax Office is reviewing 44 neighborhoods, plus 20 more identified by OCPTJC, and referring any patterns of concern to the Board of Equalization and Review before the July 31 deadline. The Board of Equalization and Review is a group of local residents appointed by the Board of County Commissioners to hear appeals and ensure that property values are fair and equitable.
Longer term, our County Manager will form a working group to study new, more equitable assessment tools. This group will be made up of local residents, experts in property assessment, and representatives from organizations like the Orange County Property Tax Justice Coalition. We’re learning from peer counties like Wake, Guilford, and Buncombe, and we will use resources from the School of Government to guide our efforts.
I want you to know that we value your voices and input and we are committed to continuous improvement and fairness. Housing for All is one of our strategic priorities. We value all of our residents.
Whether it's the impact of a storm, changing federal policy, or the need for local reform—I'm here to listen, to act, and to stand in the gap. That’s what faith and public service look like when they walk hand in hand.
In faith and service,
