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Board of Commissioners

Chatham County · Board of Commissioners
Monday, May 5, 2025 at 6:00 pm · Historic Courthouse Courtroom

Regular meeting Appointments and personnelEthics and transparencyBudget and appropriationsFees and utility ratesHealth and human servicesIntergovernmental agreementsLitigation and settlementsParks and recreationPolice and public safetyRezoningSchools and educationState legislative agendaTax rate and revaluation

Agenda document Minutes Meeting page Watch Meeting recap

What was decided

  1. Approved 25-0196Vote to approve the March 17, 2025 Work and Regular Session Minutes approved · Pass · A motion was made by Vice Chair Katie Kenlan, seconded by Commissioner Amanda Robertson, that the March 17, 2025 Work and Regular Session Minutes was approved. T…
  2. Approved 25-0222Vote to approve the April 21, 2025 Work and Regular Session Minutes approved · Pass · A motion was made by Vice Chair Katie Kenlan, seconded by Commissioner Amanda Robertson, that the April 21, 2025 Work and Regular Session Minutes was approved. T…
  3. Approved 25-0192Vote to approve pyrotechnics display at The Conway Family Farm, 460 Henley Rd. Chapel Hill NC 27517 on May 31, 2025 approved · Pass · A motion was made by Vice Chair Katie Kenlan, seconded by Commissioner Amanda Robertson, that the pyrotechnics display at The Conway Family Farm, 460 Henley Rd.…
  4. Approved 25-0200Vote to approve the renewal contract with Southern Health Partners for inmate healthcare services for the term beginning July 1,2025 and ending June 30, 2026 for $266,008.68 approved · Pass · A motion was made by Vice Chair Katie Kenlan, seconded by Commissioner Amanda Robertson, that the renewal contract with Southern Health Partners for inmate healt…
  5. Approved 25-0228Vote to approve a Resolution Concerning NC Bills Introduced for Planning and Zoning adopted · Pass · A motion was made by Vice Chair Katie Kenlan, seconded by Commissioner Amanda Robertson, that the Resolution 25- 25 Concerning NC Bills Introduced for Planning an…
  6. Approved 25-0149Vote to adopt and present a Resolution to proclaim May 11, 2025, through June 15, 2025 as Vulnerable Adult and Elder Abuse and Exploitation Awareness Month in Chatham County adopted · Pass · A motion was made by Vice Chair Katie Kenlan, seconded by Commissioner Amanda Robertson, that the Resolution 25-26 to proclaim May 11, 2025, through June 15, 2025…
  7. Received 25-0198Receive a presentation of the recommended Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget received and filed · This Agenda Item was received and filed
  8. Received 25-0194Receive a presentation and direct staff on the Chatham County Advisory Committee Policy received and filed · This Agenda Item was received and filed
  9. Received 25-0214Provide direction for the upcoming Boards and Committee expiring terms received and filed · This Agenda Item was received and filed.
  10. Received 25-0210Confirm, add, or remove any Board of Commissioners Associations with Non-Profits received and filed · This Agenda Item was received and filed.
  11. Approved 25-0212Vote to go into closed session pursuant to § 143-318.11(a)(3) to consult with an attorney employed or retained by the public body in order to preserve the attorney-client privilege between the attorney and the public body, which privilege is hereby acknowledged approved · Pass · A motion was made by Commissioner Robertson, seconded by Vice Chair Kenlan, to go into closed session pursuant to § 143-318.11(a)(3) to consult with an attorney…
  12. Approved 25-0213Vote to come out of closed session approved · Pass · A motion was made by Commissioner Franklin Gomez Flores, seconded by Commissioner Amanda Robertson, to come out of closed session. The motion carried by the foll…
  13. Approved 25-0234Vote to appoint the District 3 appointment of Terri Tyson to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee with the terms expiring on June 30, 2027 approved · Fail · A motion was made by Commissioner Delaney, seconded by Commissioner Gomez Flores, that Terri Tyson be appointed to the Recreation Advisory Committee with a term…

Another 2 items passed on the consent agenda, which is a single motion covering routine business. See the list.

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

Chatham County's manager laid the recommended 2025-2026 budget before the commissioners on 5 May 2025: $288.3 million, with a tax rate of 60 cents per $100 against the current 72.5 cents. This is the first budget after the 2025 revaluation, and the revenue neutral rate would be 52.96 cents, so the recommended rate is a real increase against the new values.

The board also gave staff direction on rewriting the advisory committee policy, and adopted a resolution objecting to the planning and zoning bills moving through the General Assembly.

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

All five commissioners attended and every vote was 5-0.

The budget adds $2.9 million for the schools, including $2.4 million toward expected state salary adjustments, benefits and retirement costs, the district's free breakfast and lunch for all students, and the transfer to charter schools. The sheriff's office gains about $2.3 million, $1.1 million of it continuation costs including the first full year of body cameras, and $1.2 million in expansion including seven staff. The solid waste fee rises $20 to $157 a year, and planning fees are restructured. Five of the eleven fire districts asked for a rate reduction from last year.

Two residents spoke. A farmer described present use value assessments rising $166,248 across her parcels, with the largest increases on parcels carrying a house and outbuildings, one of them under a conservation easement, and asked the board to remember farmers when it sets the rate. A Planning Board member thanked the commissioners for the resolution against the legislature's planning and zoning bills.

On the advisory committee policy, the board settled several questions. Committees will standardize at seven or eleven voting members. Individual commissioners keep nominating, with the full board appointing, and all applications will go to every commissioner. Non-resident business and property owners stay eligible, members may serve on more than one committee, terms stay staggered at three years with no term limits, and the term year moves from July to March. On remote meetings the county attorney reported the Anson ruling, which held that outside a declared emergency a quorum cannot be counted from members attending remotely, and said the safer course is to require a physical quorum. The board said virtual participation is essential given the county's size and its older residents, and asked staff to find a way to keep it.

How the votes went

Every vote carried 5-0: the consent agenda including the resolution on the General Assembly's planning and zoning bills, the vulnerable adult and elder abuse awareness resolution, the appointment of Terri Tyson to the Recreation Advisory Committee, and the closed session votes.

From the published minutes.

Who spoke

2 members of the public spoke.

  1. A farmer said present use value assessments across her parcels rose $166,248, with the biggest increases on parcels carrying a house and outbuildings including one under a conservation easement, and asked the board to set a rate that does not make farming untenable.
  2. A Planning Board member thanked the commissioners for the resolution objecting to the General Assembly's planning and zoning bills and said she would speak to legislators herself.

Two residents spoke: a farmer on how the revaluation raised present use value assessments, and a Planning Board member thanking the commissioners for their resolution against the legislature's planning and zoning bills.

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

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

Jump to an item (29 on this agenda)
  1. Regular Session - 6:00 PM - Historic Courthouse Courtroom
  2. CALL TO ORDER
  3. INVOCATION and PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
  4. ADJUSTMENTS AND APPROVAL OF REGULAR SESSION AGENDA
  5. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA
  6. 25-0196Vote to approve the March 17, 2025 Work and Regular Session Minutes
  7. 25-0222Vote to approve the April 21, 2025 Work and Regular Session Minutes
  8. 25-0192Vote to approve pyrotechnics display at The Conway Family Farm, 460 H…
  9. 25-0200Vote to approve the renewal contract with Southern Health Partners fo…
  10. 25-0228Vote to approve a Resolution Concerning NC Bills Introduced for Plann…
  11. End of Consent Agenda
  12. SPECIAL PRESENTATION
  13. 25-0149Vote to adopt and present a Resolution to proclaim May 11, 2025, thro…
  14. PUBLIC COMMENT SESSION
  15. 25-0199Hold the Public Comment Session is held to give residents an opportun…
  16. BOARD PRIORITIES
  17. 25-0198Receive a presentation of the recommended Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget
  18. 25-0194Receive a presentation and direct staff on the Chatham County Advisor…
  19. 25-0214Provide direction for the upcoming Boards and Committee expiring terms
  20. 25-0210Confirm, add, or remove any Board of Commissioners Associations with…
  21. CLERK'S REPORT
  22. MANAGER’S REPORT
  23. COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS
  24. CLOSED SESSION
  25. 25-0212Vote to go into closed session pursuant to § 143-318.11(a)(3) to cons…
  26. 25-0213Vote to come out of closed session
  27. ADJOURNMENT
  28. 25-0234Vote to appoint the District 3 appointment of Terri Tyson to the Park…
  29. ADJUSTMENTS AND APPROVAL OF REGULAR SESSION AGENDA

Agenda items (29)

Procedural · 9Other · 3Presentation · 3Staff or committee report · 3Closed session · 3Consent agenda · 2Minutes approval · 2Contract or award · 1Resolution · 1Proclamation or recognition · 1Appointment · 1
  1. Regular Session - 6:00 PM - Historic Courthouse Courtroom
    Procedural
  2. CALL TO ORDER
    Procedural
  3. INVOCATION and PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
    Procedural
  4. ADJUSTMENTS AND APPROVAL OF REGULAR SESSION AGENDA
    Procedural
    approved · Pass · A motion was made by Commissioner David Delaney that the appointment of Terri Tyson as the District 3 appointment to the Recreation Advisory Committee be added to the consent agenda. The motion failed by the following vote:
  1. 25-0196 Vote to approve the March 17, 2025 Work and Regular Session Minutes
    Minutes approval
    approved · Pass · A motion was made by Vice Chair Katie Kenlan, seconded by Commissioner Amanda Robertson, that the March 17, 2025 Work and Regular Session Minutes was approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
  2. 25-0222 Vote to approve the April 21, 2025 Work and Regular Session Minutes
    Minutes approval
    approved · Pass · A motion was made by Vice Chair Katie Kenlan, seconded by Commissioner Amanda Robertson, that the April 21, 2025 Work and Regular Session Minutes was approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
  3. 25-0192 Vote to approve pyrotechnics display at The Conway Family Farm, 460 Henley Rd. Chapel Hill NC 27517 on May 31, 2025
    Other
    approved · Pass · A motion was made by Vice Chair Katie Kenlan, seconded by Commissioner Amanda Robertson, that the pyrotechnics display at The Conway Family Farm, 460 Henley Rd. Chapel Hill NC 27517 on May 31, 2025 was approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
    • 460 Henley Rd · Conway, Peter J; Conway, Alexandra W · 39 acres · assessed $1,246,587
  4. 25-0200 Vote to approve the renewal contract with Southern Health Partners for inmate healthcare services for the term beginning July 1,2025 and ending June 30, 2026 for $266,008.68
    Contract or award
    approved · Pass · A motion was made by Vice Chair Katie Kenlan, seconded by Commissioner Amanda Robertson, that the renewal contract with Southern Health Partners for inmate healthcare services for the term beginning July 1,2025 and ending June 30, 2026 for $266,008.68 was approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
  5. 25-0228 Vote to approve a Resolution Concerning NC Bills Introduced for Planning and Zoning
    Resolution Intergovernmental agreementsRezoningState legislative agenda
    A resolution objecting to the planning and zoning bills introduced in the General Assembly, which remove local government authority.
    adopted · Pass · A motion was made by Vice Chair Katie Kenlan, seconded by Commissioner Amanda Robertson, that the Resolution 25- 25 Concerning NC Bills Introduced for Planning and Zoning was adopted. The motion carried by the following vote:
  6. SPECIAL PRESENTATION
    Presentation
  7. 25-0149 Vote to adopt and present a Resolution to proclaim May 11, 2025, through June 15, 2025 as Vulnerable Adult and Elder Abuse and Exploitation Awareness Month in Chatham County
    Proclamation or recognition Health and human services
    A resolution proclaiming May 11 through June 15 as Vulnerable Adult and Elder Abuse and Exploitation Awareness Month.
    adopted · Pass · A motion was made by Vice Chair Katie Kenlan, seconded by Commissioner Amanda Robertson, that the Resolution 25-26 to proclaim May 11, 2025, through June 15, 2025 as Vulnerable Adult and Elder Abuse and Exploitation Awareness Month in Chatham County was adopted. The motion carried by the following vote:
  8. PUBLIC COMMENT SESSION
    Procedural
  9. 25-0199 Hold the Public Comment Session is held to give residents an opportunity to speak on any item. The session is no more than thirty minutes long to allow as many as possible to speak. Speakers are limited to no more than three minutes each and may not give their time to another speaker. Speakers are asked to sign up in advance. Comments are always welcome in writing
    Procedural
    received and filed · This Agenda Item was received and filed.
  10. BOARD PRIORITIES
    Procedural
  11. 25-0198 Receive a presentation of the recommended Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget
    Presentation Budget and appropriationsFees and utility ratesPolice and public safetySchools and educationTax rate and revaluation
    A recommended budget of $288.3 million at 60 cents per $100 against a current 72.5 cents and a revenue neutral rate of 52.96 cents. It adds $2.9 million for the schools and about $2.3 million for the sheriff's office, raises the solid waste fee $20 to $157, and restructures planning fees.
    received and filed · This Agenda Item was received and filed
  12. 25-0194 Receive a presentation and direct staff on the Chatham County Advisory Committee Policy
    Presentation Appointments and personnelEthics and transparencyLitigation and settlements
    Direction on the advisory committee rewrite: seven or eleven voting members, commissioners nominating and the full board appointing, non-resident owners still eligible, service on more than one committee allowed, staggered three-year terms with no limits, and the term year moved to March. On remote meetings the county attorney reported the Anson ruling and recommended requiring a physical quorum; the board asked staff to preserve virtual participation.
    received and filed · This Agenda Item was received and filed
  13. 25-0214 Provide direction for the upcoming Boards and Committee expiring terms
    Other Appointments and personnel
    Direction on the advisory committee and board terms expiring this year.
    received and filed · This Agenda Item was received and filed.
  14. 25-0210 Confirm, add, or remove any Board of Commissioners Associations with Non-Profits
    Other Ethics and transparency
    The board's declared associations with non-profits that receive county funding.
    received and filed · This Agenda Item was received and filed.
  15. CLERK'S REPORT
    Staff or committee report
  16. MANAGER’S REPORT
    Staff or committee report
  17. COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS
    Staff or committee report
  18. CLOSED SESSION
    Closed session
  19. 25-0212 Vote to go into closed session pursuant to § 143-318.11(a)(3) to consult with an attorney employed or retained by the public body in order to preserve the attorney-client privilege between the attorney and the public body, which privilege is hereby acknowledged
    Closed session
    approved · Pass · A motion was made by Commissioner Robertson, seconded by Vice Chair Kenlan, to go into closed session pursuant to § 143-318.11(a)(3) to consult with an attorney employed or retained by the public body in order to preserve the attorney-client privilege between the attorney and the public body, which privilege is hereby acknowledged. The motion carried by the following vote:
  20. 25-0213 Vote to come out of closed session
    Closed session
    approved · Pass · A motion was made by Commissioner Franklin Gomez Flores, seconded by Commissioner Amanda Robertson, to come out of closed session. The motion carried by the following vote:
  21. ADJOURNMENT
    Procedural
    adjourned · Pass · A motion was made by Commissioner Amanda Robertson, seconded by Commissioner Franklin Gomez Flores, that this meeting was adjourned. The motion carried by the following vote:
  22. 25-0234 Vote to appoint the District 3 appointment of Terri Tyson to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee with the terms expiring on June 30, 2027
    Appointment Appointments and personnelParks and recreation
    Terri Tyson was appointed as the District 3 member of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee.
    approved · Fail · A motion was made by Commissioner Delaney, seconded by Commissioner Gomez Flores, that Terri Tyson be appointed to the Recreation Advisory Committee with a term expiring on June 30, 2027. The motion failed by the following vote:
  23. ADJUSTMENTS AND APPROVAL OF REGULAR SESSION AGENDA
    Procedural
    approved · Pass · A motion was made by Vice Chair Katie Kenlan, seconded by Commissioner Amanda Robertson, that the agenda was approved as amended. The motion carried by the following vote:

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