BOCC to hold Budget Public Hearing June 4

The agenda for the Orange County Board of Commissioners’ Virtual Budget Public Hearing on Thursday, June 4, has been posted to the link below.

https://www.orangecountync.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06042020-1002

The agenda includes links for the budget document and also for proposed amendments to the budget. Proposed budget amendments can also be viewed on the county website.

Due to current public health concerns, the public hearing will be virtual, but residents will still be able to participate and make public comments.

Public Comment – Written

Members of the public may provide written public comment by submitting it to the ocbocc@orangecountync.gov email address by 3 p.m. on the afternoon of the meeting. When submitting the comment, include the following:
For the Budget Public Hearing on June 4, 2020

Your name, address, email and phone number
Your comment
The Orange County Board of Commissioners, County Manager, County Attorney and Clerk to the Board, will be copied on all of the emails that are submitted.

Public Comment – Verbal

Members of the public are asked to contact the Clerk to the Board using the email address ocpubliccomment@orangecountync.gov no later than 3 p.m. on June 4 and indicate they wish to speak during the meeting. When submitting the request to speak, include the following:

For the Budget Public Hearing on June 4, 2020
Your name, address, email and phone number
The phone number must be the number you plan to call in from if participating by phone

Prior to the meeting, speakers will be emailed a participant link to be able to make comments during the live meeting. Speakers may use a computer (with camera and/or microphone) or phone to make comments.

If a member of the public encounters any concerns prior to or during the meeting related to speaking, please contact Greg Wilder at 919-245-2314.

Aging Department offers free tax help for low and moderate taxpayers through VITA program

The deadline for filing 2019 income taxes is now July 15, 2020. The Orange County Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) is continuing to assist low and moderate-income taxpayers. VITA services are free to those that have incomes below $65,000 for a single person or $90,000 for a household.

If you have internet access, an active email account, and either a computer and scanner or a cell phone with a camera, you can participate in our Virtual VITA program. Check our website www.orangecountync.gov/ocncvita or send an email to ocncvita@gmail.com for more information.

We are also offering a Drive-Thru Drop-Off Service that will be available during the month of June. Taxpayers can bring us their tax documents and complete paperwork in your car. We’ll scan the documents while you wait and you will return a week later to pick up your completed return. Our IRS-certified preparers will contact you by phone as needed to prepare and electronically file your return.

Planned Drop-Off Days and Times:

Seymour Center – 2551 Homestead Road, Chapel Hill:

Mondays 1-4 p.m. June 1 - 29
Fridays 1-4 p.m. June 5 – 26

Passmore Center – 103 Meadowlands Drive, Hillsborough:

Wednesdays 1-4 p.m. June 3 – July 1

No appointment is needed, but please call our information phone line to verify program dates & times: 919-245-4242.

Orange County Recreation announces cancellation of 2020 summer camps

Based on the continued monitoring of the COVID-19 virus, and with guidance from local and national public health agencies, Orange County will be canceling all onsite Recreation Summer Camps for 2020. However, we do plan to offer summer enrichment virtual program opportunities (please see below). Additionally, opportunities may arise as the summer progresses to create new offerings, and if this is the case we will explore these and share any new developments.

You can view the list of cancelled programs on our website: www.orangecountync.gov/481/Recreation-Division. Due to the cancellation, full refunds will be issued for summer camp fees that have been paid to date.

For residents interested in engaging their children in summer enrichment activities from home, Recreation is offering many of our cancelled camps on a virtual basis, beginning on June 15. These virtual enrichment programs will be similar to the offerings originally planned for the summer.

These programs will be conducted live, with the ability for participants to virtually interact with the instructor and other children in the programs. Information on each of these virtual programs is listed at www.orangecountync.gov/2429/Summer-Enrichment. There will be a nominal fee for these programs to cover supply costs that will be provided to participants through our Recreation InstaCart service, with supplies delivered to your doorstep.

Registration will be conducted through our online registration software www.orangecountync.gov/ActivityRegistration. If you need assistance in registering, please call 919-245-2660 or e-mail at lbrashear@orangecountync.gov.

More County Parks Opened May 28

More Orange County parks facilities opened May 28 as the county moves forward with the Phase II reopening plan.

Previously closed parks (Cedar Grove Park, Efland-Cheeks Park and Fairview Park) opened with some park amenities. Each park will have recommended guidelines for intended use at these sites. We urge users to bring hand sanitizer and other supplies to disinfect surfaces before use.

Click here for more information.

Little River Park, Hollow Rock Nature Park, Blackwood Farm Park (Thurs-Sun) and Seven Mile Creek Natural Area remain open with limited facilities available.

Click here for info about what features are open at these locations.

Arts Commission awards $41,450 in Relief Grants to local artists, groups

The Orange County Arts Commission has awarded a second round of emergency relief grants totaling $22,600 to 28 members of the Orange County arts community and seven art-related nonprofit organizations. Grant amounts for individuals ranged from $200-$600 and will help recipients with essential needs such as groceries, bills and healthcare expenses.

Seven organizations also received $1,000 relief grants to help with operating expenses, including Art Therapy Institute, Chelsea Theater, Playmakers Repertory Company, Sisters’ Voices, VOICES Chapel Hill Chorus, FRANK Gallery and Hillsborough Arts Council. This disbursement cycle followed the first round of grants in April totaling $18,850. In total, the fund has provided $41,450 in relief funds to 73 artists and seven organizations.

“This support comes at a critical time goes directly toward necessary basic expenses like food and electricity,” said Chapel Hill visual artist Eric Serritella.

Funds have been collected through the Orange County Arts Support Fund, an online fundraiser to benefit artists, arts industry workers and arts organizations in Orange County. Almost $43,000 has been raised to date, made possible by 148 individual donors as well as contributions from the Triangle Community Foundation, Manbites Dog Theater Fund, Orange County Artists Guild, and Women’s Voices Chorus.

The loss of audiences has made the arts one of the most hard-hit industries during the COVID-19 pandemic. Orange County is home to approximately 4,000 creative industry workers and 170 arts and cultural nonprofit organizations*.

A third round of grants will open as funds become available. Donations can be made online or by check. For more information, visit www.artsorange.org/supportfund.

Graphic with Budget Director Paul Laughton

www.orangecountync.gov