Phyllis with Mayor Barbara Foushee, Rep. Renee Price, and David LaBarre at Gun Violence Prevention Day.

Closure, Concerns, and Community Pride

Let me begin with a matter of deep community pride. Earlier this month, Orange High School Principal, Jason Johnson was named NC Principal of the Year. Jason Johnson is the kind of leader we need at this moment. Every day, he shows up for his students, his staff, and our community focused on what matters most - providing excellence and equity for Orange County students.

Congratulations, Principal Johnson! You make us all proud.

Closing Out 2025 Budget Process: Balance, Relief, and Responsible Investment

The Board of Commissioners will officially adopt the FY2025–26, $306.04 million Annual Operating Budget on next Tuesday, June 17, and will set the property tax rate at 63.83 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. This rate is considerably lower than last year’s rate; however, with the revaluation that showed dramatic increases in local home values, a “revenue neutral rate" would have been 62.64 cents per $100 of assessed value. The total budget we funded was comparable to last year’s budget; therefore, the Fire District and Fire Service District tax rates were slightly increased. When the budget is finalized, the new rates will appear here.

This budget was shaped by your voices. We heard from parents, teachers, seniors, homeowners, working families, and county employees. We heard your deep concerns about property revaluations and rising taxes. That’s why I co-sponsored an amendment to ease the impact of Pay-Go funding for school capital projects. Instead of pulling $6.4 million from property taxes in Year 1, we’ll start with $500K, then increase in later years while accelerating bond funding to keep school projects on track.This phased approach will offer a slight relief from increases this year. I also co-sponsored the amendment to fund a full-time Elections Coordinator starting in January. Given the recent maneuvering by the GOP at the state level, I believe this position is essential to making sure our elections are accurate, fair, and accessible for everyone.

And I strongly supported reinstating the 911 Crisis Counselor as part of the Orange County CARE Team. This team connects people in crisis with the help they need—diverting them away from jail and emergency rooms. It's a modest investment that makes a big impact. You can learn more here.

We also continued to invest in our own people. County staff will receive a modest raise as we balance our commitment to staff retention and keeping the tax rate reasonable. Supporting our employees means better, more consistent service for you.

This budget balances long-term planning with current needs and realities—and most importantly, this budget puts people at the center.

Broadband: Progress Under Threat

In Orange County, we’ve made real progress with providers like Lumos, but new federal rules are threatening rural broadband expansion across the country.

Commissioner Sally Greene and consultant Catharine Rice recently explained changes to the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program (BEAD) now prioritize cheaper, short-term technologies like fixed wireless and satellite instead of fiber, which is faster, more secure, and future-proof. Billions in taxpayer dollars could go toward services that won’t actually meet the long-term needs of rural communities.

Worse, these changes strip out equity protections, labor standards, and local decision-making. From my seat on the BOCC and as Orange County’s representative to the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC), I’ll keep advocating for real broadband solutions that don’t leave our rural residents behind.

Housing: Putting Affordability and Stability First

June is National Homeownership Month, and we wanted this budget to reflect one core message: we hear you, and we value our longtime residents. Housing is about dignity, safety, and staying connected to the places we call home. Whether you’ve been here 80 years or are just starting your journey, we’re working to keep Orange County within reach.

That is why, in the 2025 Budget, we increased funding for Longtime Homeowner Assistance by $100,000, added more dollars for critical home repairs, and expanded emergency housing assistance. For the first time, we’ll have cold weather shelter cots in Hillsborough. These aren’t just programs—they’re lifelines.

A note of Appreciation for Governor Stein

As your representative on the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC), I’m also looking at what’s happening across the state. Governor Josh Stein recently rolled out a $35 million affordable housing plan that aligns with what we’re doing locally—helping folks buy homes, stabilize rent, and invest in land for future housing. I’m excited about what this means for helping middle income families buy homes in Orange County, and we are grateful for his leadership.

I am also grateful for the stand Governor Stein has taken, along with other Democratic Governors, to condemn President Trump’s deployment of the National Guard. I hope you all will stay abreast of these developments and be ready to stand up for our constitutional rights.

A Note from My Heart

Before I close, I want to speak about something weighing on many of us—the recent ICE raids happening in Charlotte and other communities across North Carolina. These actions have stirred fear in families who already live under stress, and they threaten the trust between communities and institutions meant to protect them.

Let me be clear: no one should live in fear simply for existing—not at home, not at school, not at work. These raids are disruptive, dehumanizing, and counter to the inclusive, compassionate values we hold dear in Orange County.

As your Commissioner, I remain committed to advocating for policies that treat people with dignity, that protect families, and that build safer communities through understanding—not intimidation.

And finally, I hope you all can join the Orange County Juneteenth Celebration on Friday. Here is more information.

Yours in service,