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Business Meeting

Orange County · Board of County Commissioners
Tuesday, September 15, 2026

Regular meeting Grants and outside fundingHousing and affordabilityPolice and public safetyAppointments and personnelBudget and appropriationsContracts and procurementEnvironment and sustainabilityFaith and cultural communitiesParks and recreationCybersecurity and IT systemsFire and EMSHealth and human servicesPublic facilitiesRezoningRoads and transportationSchools and educationTransitWater and sewer

Agenda document Minutes Watch Meeting recap

What was decided

  1. Approved 4.aHispanic Heritage Month Proclamation Approved unanimously
  2. Continued 5.aPublic Hearing on Draft 2025-26 Consolidated Annual Performance Report (CAPER) for the HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program Hearing held; no public comments
  3. Approved 5.b5311 Rural Area Formula Grant for Transit Programming for FY 2028 Approved unanimously, $191,911 application with $33,867 local match
  4. Approved 8.aMinutes for August 25, 2026 Approved on consent (unanimous)
  5. Approved 8.bCybersecurity Awareness Month Proclamation Approved on consent (unanimous)
  6. Approved 8.cFiscal Year 2026-27 Budget Amendment #3 Approved on consent (unanimous)
  7. Approved 8.dEssential Single Family Rehabilitation Program (ESFR) – Contract with Habitat for Humanity of Orange County, and Approval of Budget Amendment #3-A Approved on consent (unanimous)
  8. Approved 8.eEssential Single Family Rehabilitation Program (ESFR) – Approval of Procurement and Disbursement Policy Approved on consent (unanimous)
  9. Approved 8.fRatification of Signature for Emergency Preparedness Grant from Central Pines Regional Council Approved on consent (unanimous)
  10. Approved 8.gApproval of Engineering Services Agreement for VIPER Radio System Expansion Phase 1 Approved on consent (unanimous)
  11. Approved 8.hPurchase of Public Safety Portable Radios Approved on consent (unanimous)
  12. Approved 8.iApproval of a Revised Declaration of Easements and Restrictive Covenants for the Jamezetta Bedford Crisis Care Center Approved on consent (unanimous)
  13. Approved 8.jRemoval of Boards and Commissions Members Approved on consent (unanimous)

Read from the agenda's recorded outcomes. Where the board published minutes, those are the record — this is a pointer to them.

What's on this agenda

Holy Trinity Anglican Church asks Orange County's commissioners on 15 September to rezone about 15.5 acres at 1651 Old Lystra Road, in the joint planning area with Chapel Hill, from R-LD1 to a conditional R-4 district. The church plans an 11,200-square-foot building with a 300-seat sanctuary, a later 6,240-square-foot addition, and up to ten church-owned tiny homes to house people in need, all on well and septic. The county planning board recommended approval unanimously on 3 June, with a condition against cut-through traffic, and the rezoning takes effect only if Chapel Hill's council adopts it too. The joint public hearing is held at 6 p.m. that evening.

The board also holds hearings on the HOME program's annual report and on a $191,911 state and federal rural transit application, hears from OWASA on the drought and PFAS, and gets an update on the J Branch rail trail study. The consent agenda buys 35 Motorola portable radios for $352,560, hires engineers for the first phase of the VIPER radio expansion for $186,200, and borrows $504,000 to replace Durham Tech's rooftop HVAC units. It also shifts $337,096 of Chapel Hill-Carrboro school money from the McDougle roof to a boiler at FPG Elementary, and removes two advisory board members for missed meetings.

Summarized from the published agenda. Read the agenda itself before acting on it.

Meeting recap

What happened, drawn from the records published after the meeting. Minutes

The commissioners put off the Holy Trinity Anglican Church rezoning to their 20 October business meeting. The joint hearing with Chapel Hill an hour earlier had closed without deliberation. Everything else on the agenda passed unanimously. That included a $191,911 state and federal application for rural transit administration, with a $33,867 local match. The consent agenda covered 35 replacement public safety radios, the first-phase engineering contract for the VIPER radio expansion and budget amendment #3. It also removed members from the Visitors Bureau Advisory Board and the Parks and Recreation Council for poor attendance.

OWASA director Todd Taylor said the utility did not expect to need water restrictions or surcharges even if no rain fell before year end. He said a granular activated carbon plant to remove PFAS would cost more than $60 million to build and $2 million a year to run, so OWASA is weighing source reduction. Housing director Blake Rosser said rental assistance under the HOME program was waiting on HUD's review of a document. The J Branch rail trail consultants said their study should finish by May 2027. No one spoke at public comment or at either hearing.

How the votes went

All votes were unanimous. Motion to move item 6-a (Holy Trinity rezoning) to the October 20 business meeting (Hamilton, Fowler). Hispanic Heritage Month proclamation (Fowler, McKee). HOME CAPER hearing opened and closed. 5311 transit grant: hearing opened and closed, then the program resolution, certifications and $191,911 application approved on an amended motion by Fowler, seconded by McKee. Consent agenda (McKee, Carter). All seven commissioners were present.

From the published minutes.

Who spoke

No members of the public spoke.

Read from the records the government published after the meeting. Members of the public are private residents and are not named or indexed.

Speaking at this meeting

Orange County's own rules for public comment — check them before you rely on anything here.

Jump to an item (25 on this agenda)
  1. 1Additions or Changes to the Agenda
  2. 2Public Comments
  3. 3Announcements, Petitions and Comments by Board Members
  4. 4.aHispanic Heritage Month Proclamation
  5. 4.bOWASA Update – Drought and PFAS Guiding Principles
  6. 5.aPublic Hearing on Draft 2025-26 Consolidated Annual Performance Repor…
  7. 5.b5311 Rural Area Formula Grant for Transit Programming for FY 2028
  8. 6.aZoning Atlas Amendment – Holy Trinity Church (Joint Planning Area – C…
  9. 7.aUpdate - J Branch Rail Trail Feasibility Study
  10. 8.aMinutes for August 25, 2026
  11. 8.bCybersecurity Awareness Month Proclamation
  12. 8.cFiscal Year 2026-27 Budget Amendment #3
  13. 8.dEssential Single Family Rehabilitation Program (ESFR) – Contract with…
  14. 8.eEssential Single Family Rehabilitation Program (ESFR) – Approval of P…
  15. 8.fRatification of Signature for Emergency Preparedness Grant from Centr…
  16. 8.gApproval of Engineering Services Agreement for VIPER Radio System Exp…
  17. 8.hPurchase of Public Safety Portable Radios
  18. 8.iApproval of a Revised Declaration of Easements and Restrictive Covena…
  19. 8.jRemoval of Boards and Commissions Members
  20. 9County Manager's Report
  21. 10County Attorney's Report
  22. 11Appointments
  23. 12Memorandum – Orange County Participating in Electrify the Triangle
  24. 13Closed Session
  25. 14Adjournment

Agenda items (25)

Contract or award · 5Procedural · 4Staff or committee report · 4Proclamation or recognition · 2Public hearing · 2Appointment · 2Presentation · 1Ordinance · 1Minutes approval · 1Budget action · 1Resolution · 1Closed session · 1
  1. 1 Additions or Changes to the Agenda
    Procedural
    Item 6-a moved to the October 20, 2026 business meeting (unanimous)
  2. 2 Public Comments
    Procedural
    One hour of comment on matters not on the agenda, three minutes per speaker, and comment on agenda items when they come up.
  3. 3 Announcements, Petitions and Comments by Board Members
    Procedural
  4. 4.a Hispanic Heritage Month Proclamation
    Proclamation or recognition Faith and cultural communities
    Proclaims 15 September to 15 October 2026 as Hispanic Heritage Month, under the theme "Unidos, Somos Más."
    Approved unanimously
  5. 4.b OWASA Update – Drought and PFAS Guiding Principles
    Presentation Environment and sustainabilityWater and sewer
    The Orange Water and Sewer Authority reports on water supply during the recent drought and on its actions to address PFAS in the public water supply.
  6. 5.a Public Hearing on Draft 2025-26 Consolidated Annual Performance Report (CAPER) for the HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program
    Public hearing Grants and outside fundingHousing and affordability
    Hearing on the HOME consortium's report for July 2025 to June 2026: $464,907 was available, including local match and program income, and $169,322 went to tenant-based rental assistance.
    Hearing held; no public comments
  7. 5.b 5311 Rural Area Formula Grant for Transit Programming for FY 2028
    Public hearing Grants and outside fundingTransit
    Hearing and approval of an application to NCDOT for $191,911 in federal and state rural transit administration money, with a $33,867 local match from transit tax funds.
    Approved unanimously, $191,911 application with $33,867 local match
  8. 6.a Zoning Atlas Amendment – Holy Trinity Church (Joint Planning Area – Chapel Hill)
    Ordinance Faith and cultural communitiesRezoning
    Holy Trinity Anglican Church asks to rezone about 15.5 acres from R-LD1 to R-4 conditional zoning for a 300-seat church, a later addition, and up to ten church-owned tiny homes for people in need. The county planning board recommended approval unanimously with a cut-through traffic condition; the rezoning needs Chapel Hill's adoption as well.
    Delayed to the October 20, 2026 business meeting
    • 1651 Old Lystra Rd · no matching parcel on file
    • Pin 9787-00-8466 · Holy Trinity Anglican Church of Chatham INC · assessed $585,500
  9. 7.a Update - J Branch Rail Trail Feasibility Study
    Staff or committee report Parks and recreationRoads and transportation
    Consultant update on converting the nearly 11-mile J Branch rail line, from UNC's cogeneration plant through Carrboro to University Station near I-85, into a trail. The study is due in May 2027.
  10. 8.a Minutes for August 25, 2026
    Minutes approval
    Approved on consent (unanimous)
  11. 8.b Cybersecurity Awareness Month Proclamation
    Proclamation or recognition Cybersecurity and IT systems
    Proclaims October 2026 as Cybersecurity Awareness Month.
    Approved on consent (unanimous)
  12. 8.c Fiscal Year 2026-27 Budget Amendment #3
    Budget action Budget and appropriationsFire and EMSSchools and education
    Borrows $504,000 to replace Durham Tech's two rooftop HVAC units in Orange County, spends $40,000 on repairs at the cold weather shelter at 828 MLK Jr. Blvd., moves $337,096 of Chapel Hill-Carrboro school capital from the McDougle roof to an FPG Elementary boiler, and lets the Orange Rural Fire District spend $52,000 of its fund balance.
    Approved on consent (unanimous)
    • 828 Mlk Jr Blvd · no matching parcel on file
  13. 8.d Essential Single Family Rehabilitation Program (ESFR) – Contract with Habitat for Humanity of Orange County, and Approval of Budget Amendment #3-A
    Contract or award Budget and appropriationsGrants and outside fundingHousing and affordability
    Hires Habitat for Humanity of Orange County for about four home repairs worth $180,000 of state money, and accepts a $273,000 NC Housing Finance Agency grant for the program.
    Approved on consent (unanimous)
  14. 8.e Essential Single Family Rehabilitation Program (ESFR) – Approval of Procurement and Disbursement Policy
    Resolution Contracts and procurementHousing and affordability
    Adopts the procurement and disbursement policy the state requires for the 2027-2029 repair program.
    Approved on consent (unanimous)
  15. 8.f Ratification of Signature for Emergency Preparedness Grant from Central Pines Regional Council
    Contract or award Grants and outside fundingPolice and public safety
    Ratifies a grant of up to $4,999 for replacement tablets used in damage assessment and shelter telehealth.
    Approved on consent (unanimous)
  16. 8.g Approval of Engineering Services Agreement for VIPER Radio System Expansion Phase 1
    Contract or award Contracts and procurementPolice and public safety
    Hires Engineered Tower Solutions for $186,200 to design the first phase of the VIPER radio expansion, including a new Eno tower and moving the Chapel Hill site.
    Approved on consent (unanimous)
  17. 8.h Purchase of Public Safety Portable Radios
    Contract or award Police and public safety
    Buys 35 Motorola APX NEXT portable radios and accessories for $352,560 under a state contract.
    Approved on consent (unanimous)
  18. 8.i Approval of a Revised Declaration of Easements and Restrictive Covenants for the Jamezetta Bedford Crisis Care Center
    Contract or award Health and human servicesPublic facilities
    Revises the site agreement with the neighboring owner, Capkov Ventures, after the entrance road moved. The county reimburses up to $50,000 for erosion control and may stockpile soil on Capkov's lot.
    Approved on consent (unanimous)
  19. 8.j Removal of Boards and Commissions Members
    Appointment Appointments and personnelParks and recreation
    Removes one member each from the Visitors Bureau Advisory Board and the Parks and Recreation Council for missed meetings.
    Approved on consent (unanimous)
  20. 9 County Manager's Report
    Staff or committee report
  21. 10 County Attorney's Report
    Staff or committee report
  22. 11 Appointments
    Appointment Appointments and personnel
  23. 12 Memorandum – Orange County Participating in Electrify the Triangle
    Staff or committee report Environment and sustainability
    Information on a regional home energy and electrification program with free energy navigators, launching in October 2026.
  24. 13 Closed Session
    Closed session
  25. 14 Adjournment
    Procedural

Agenda changes

What moved between published versions of this agenda. Item numbers shift constantly as things are inserted, so only genuine additions and removals are listed.

Other recent meetings of this board