Laura Jensen

Orange County names local government veteran as new Clerk to the Board

The Orange County Board of Commissioners appointed Laura Jensen as the county’s new Clerk to the Board at its Dec. 15 meeting. Jensen currently serves as Assistant Finance Director/Budget Manager for Person County, a position she has held since 2013. She also served as Interim Assistant County Manager from June 2019 to August 2020.

Jensen, who lives in Hillsborough, graduated from North Forsyth High School in Winston-Salem, N.C. She earned a degree in Political Science from the University of North Carolina-Asheville and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from UNC-Chapel Hill in 2008.

“Dozens of candidates applied for this critical position, and Laura impressed us immensely for reasons including her 13 years of progressively responsible local government experience,” said Renee Price, Chair of the Orange County Board of Commissioners. “The fact that we attracted so many strong candidates is a testament to Orange County. We look forward to working with Laura as she brings her skills and professionalism to the office and to our community.”

Jensen’s career in local government began as a management intern with Durham County in 2007. She worked for Durham County from 2007-2013, as a budget technician, assistant to the county manager and budget analyst before moving to Person County.

Recreation Division Program Guide now available

Click the graphic for the latest edition of the Orange County DEAPR-Recreation Division Program Guide. Virtual and in-person programs are offered.

Registration is open at www.orangecountync.gov/activityregistration or by phone at 919.245.2660, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Orange County Recreation administrative offices remain closed to the public. In-person registration is not accepted.

County offers more grant programs for small businesses, farms and food processors

Orange County’s Board of Commissioners have approved emergency funds throughout 2020 to assist our many small businesses, farms and food processors that have faced critical financial hardships during the current COVID-19 crisis. Thus far, Orange County’s total pandemic-related emergency financial assistance has already provided 78 separate awards totaling $520,130 for the benefit of these valued small business and agricultural ventures. This assistance was made in the form of two now-completed “Round 1” (loans and grants) and “Round 2” (grants) programs.

Orange County is now offering two small business grant programs, to include a “Round 3” emergency grant program, managed by the Economic Development office.

Orange County’s Business Investment Grant Program includes small (less than $1,500) and large ($1500-$10,000) grants.

Application Location: www.growinorangenc.com/about-us/small-business-assistance/small-business-loan-grant/
Application Deadline: Application period is now open through 5 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020.

The Orange County Emergency Small Business Funding Program assists Orange County-based small businesses that are experiencing financial difficulties such as mandated shutdowns, employee layoffs, and operating losses as a result of ongoing efforts at the Federal, State and local authorities to contain and minimize the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Application Location: The application will be available at Noon, Monday, Jan. 4, 2021, on the Orange County website: orangecountync.gov/2362/Emergency-Small-Business-Funding-Program.
Application Deadline: Final applications must be received by 5 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021

Click here for more information on both programs.

Orange County Home repair assistance graphic

Orange County Schools partners with local restaurants to provide meals over holiday break

EAT NC is collaborating with Orange County Schools, Lantern Restaurant and Vimala's Curryblossom Cafe to provide one week's breakfasts and lunches for children under 18 over the holiday break.

Picking up these meals earns income for school food programs through federal reimbursement. And it will take all of our participation in school meals in order to have the funds needed to drive radical change in what foods are served, how they are sourced, and how school food professionals are valued, trained, and compensated for their hard work.
Picking up these meals earns income for restaurants struggling to make payroll for food service workers during COVID. These meals in particular support thriving wage, full time jobs for majority-minority staff, and support local farmers and producers focused on regenerative agricultural practices through intentional and thoughtful sourcing.
These meals are delicious and filling.
And they are free to you, (parent/guardian of) the child.

Meals will be distributed Dec. 28 from Noon-1 p.m. at the Welcome Center at 920 Corporate Drive, Hillsborough, no questions asked. For more information, visit their website.

Animal Services announces new program to help low-income families with pet medical expenses

In order to keep more pets in their homes with their families, Orange County Animal Services has developed a fund that can assist Orange County residents with non-emergency veterinary expenses.

"In general, we see many heartbreaking pet surrenders to our shelter as a result of owners not being able to afford to properly care for their pets when they need medical attention," said Orange County Animal Services Director Bob Marotto. "We know that, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, we will likely see increases in these types of surrenders as a result of unemployment and other economic pressures."

This fund is available to Orange County residents based on their needs and ability to meet income criteria. Please see more information about how to qualify and coverage details here. Obtaining this assistance would require collaboration with local veterinarians or specialists, and may cover full or partial medical expenses for issues such as: skin infections and other skin issues, dental issues, minor surgeries, etc.

Funds will be issued to veterinarians and veterinary clinics or hospitals for these services for dogs, cats and other pets from economically challenged households in Orange County.

"This type of program will help people retain their pets and will be extremely beneficial for pets, pet owners, and Orange County Animal Services," said Marotto.

OCAS has established a GoFundMe for residents who wish to donate to the campaign. All funds received will be used for the program.

The Orange County Health Department will host a COVID-19 testing event Saturday Dec. 19, at Lattisville Grove Missionary Baptist. Pre-registration is encouraged.

Health Department offers free COVID tests daily on weekdays

The Orange County Health Department (OCHD) offers daily weekday COVID-19 testing in Hillsborough and in Chapel Hill.

Hillsborough: The testing is offered 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday in the parking lot in front of the Whitted Human Services Center, 300 W. Tryon St., Hillsborough. Pre-registration is encouraged and may be done online. Be sure to select Orange County when registering.

Chapel Hill: COVID-19 testing is available every weekday Monday through Saturday from 9am to 6pm at R7 Parking Lot at 725 MLK Blvd., Chapel Hill, NC 27514. Pre-registration is encouraged and may be done online: https://lhi.care/covidtesting.

Other regular testing events offered in the county are:

Every Wednesday - Alternating each Wednesday between two sites in Chapel Hill: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the R-7 Parking Lot, 725 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. or 3 to 7 p.m. at the Nash Parking Lot on Wilson Street. See the county’s COVID-19 Testing page for each week’s location.
Third Saturday of each month - 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lattisville Grove Missionary Baptist Church, 1701 Jimmy Ed Road in Hurdle Mills.
Fourth Saturday of each month - noon to 4 p.m. at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 940 Carmichael St. in Chapel Hill.
First Sunday of each month- 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at McDougal Middle School, 900 Old Fayetteville Rd. in Chapel Hill.

Testing is drive through or walk up. Anyone can receive a test regardless of whether they are showing symptoms or are a close contact of someone positive for the virus. The nasal swab tests are billed to insurance or provided free to those without insurance.

For up-to-date testing information, see the county’s COVID-19 Testing page.

Tax Department reminds property owners to pay property taxes now

The Orange County Tax Office wants to remind residents that 2020 tax bills are currently due and should be paid by January 5, 2021. There has been no change in the state-required due date and past due date for these bills. By state law North Carolina General Statute 105-360(a), taxes become delinquent after Jan. 5. This means a property owner has until the 5th to pay their tax bill without incurring interest.

Paying your tax bill now will help you avoid crowds and reduce the spread of COVID 19.

An E-Check option has recently been added as one of the online payment solutions offered. The convenience fee for using the E-check option is a flat fee of $2. This and other online payment options can be found on the Tax Office’s website.

Other safe, non-contact ways to pay taxes include:

Mail to Orange County Tax Collector, PO Box 8181, Hillsborough NC 27278 – US Postal Service postmark of January 5, 2021 or earlier
Drop box located outside our office door at the Gateway Center, 228 South Churton Street, Hillsborough
Debit/credit card by phone (1-844-435-3981), a convenience fee is charged by the provider

Due to current public health concerns and to help reduce the spread of COVID 19, we are currently restricting entrance to our office. However, we are still available to assist you with payments, and all other requests. During normal business hours we are available by phone 919-245-2100, email tax@orangecountync.gov, or the live chat feature on our website https://www.orangecountync.gov/842/Chat.

You can set up an appointment if you need assistance in person. Email tax@orangecountync.gov or call 919-245-2100. One or two people may attend, and masks must be worn.

Access to our office will be given for some services without an appointment, such as cash payments. Please explain your request to the person monitoring the door. Masks must be worn.

In light of the current pandemic, taxpayers are urged to pay taxes now. Use the new E-check option, mail, debit/credit card, or drop box to avoid sizeable wait times and to avoid close gatherings of people.

Help make the holidays brighter for a family in need this season by becoming a sponsor with Orange County DSS. Anyone can be a sponsor - businesses, church groups, families, Sunday school classes & individuals. Many levels are available. Click the graphic to learn more.

Orange County COVID-19 Updated Data Dec. 18, 2020

The Orange County Health Department has provided the following information about COVID-19 cases in Orange County as of 9 a.m. today:

TOTAL CASES: 4,528
TOTAL DEATHS: 62

Data Considerations:
1. Any demographic groups with very small numbers have been suppressed to protect
patient confidentiality.
2. We are missing race and ethnicity data for between 30-40% of confirmed cases.
3. We don’t know who may have COVID-19 that wasn’t able to get tested, and we don’t know what groups the patients with missing data fall under.
This data should not be used to make generalizations about who may or may not have higher rates of infection.

Click here for more information.

www.orangecountync.gov