Orange County begins Phase 1 Transformation Plan July 1

During the month of July, Orange County will begin a phased approach to opening county facilities to the public. The Orange County Transformation Plan is informed by the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, and the Orange County Health Department.

While allowing residents to return to certain county facilities, such as the library, departments will continue to offer remote and online services developed over the last year in response to the pandemic.

“The goal is to open county facilities and services in a way that better serves residents, promotes efficiency and safety for our customers and staff, and offers employees an opportunity to work differently,” said county manager Bonnie Hammersley. “We’re calling this a Transformation Plan instead of a reopening, because we are changing how we conduct business with the public.”

Effective July 1, 2021, the following transformation strategies will be implemented:

Face Coverings

Face coverings will not be required for fully vaccinated guests or employees to enter county facilities, with some exceptions (see below). Unvaccinated individuals are required to wear face coverings in all county facilities. This policy will apply in general unless State or Federal requirements supersede it or legitimate business and safety reasons dictate a more cautious approach.

Face coverings are recommended in settings where large groups are gathered and social distancing is not possible.

Employees who provide transportation services, medical and dental care, in-home visitation, and anyone serving children or at risk individuals must continue to wear face coverings.

Indoor Social Distancing

Social distancing (maintaining a six-foot distance between individuals) is required in waiting areas and other indoor settings where the public may congregate. Care should be taken in small spaces such as elevators and restrooms where social distancing is not practical.

All outdoor venues are allowed to open at full capacity, although proper social distancing is encouraged. Both indoor and outdoor facility rentals may resume at full capacity. Proper social distancing is recommended in these settings as well.

Click here for department specific plans.
State of Emergency extended through July 30.

Blackwood Farm Park to close July 4 for renovations

Blackwood Farm Park will be closing July 4 at 8 p.m. for construction. The park is expected to remain closed for approximately one year. The construction will bring many upgrades to the park including a large picnic shelter, restrooms, an amphitheater and a new park entrance and parking area. You can read more about the construction plans at the Blackwood Farm Park website or read periodic updates provided in this newsletter.

Photo of Farm to Table event at Blackwood Farm Park

Deadline to appeal property values extended to Sept. 1

On June 15, 2021, the Orange County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution to extend the 2021 Orange County Board of Equalization and Review Formal Appeal adjournment date from June 30, 2021, to Sept. 1, 2021.

The purpose of this extension is to allow additional time for property owners to formally appeal their 2021 property values to the Board of Equalization and Review.

Instructions and the Formal Notice of Appeal to the Board of Equalization and Review are available on the Orange County website: http://www.orangecountync.gov/806/Appeals.
Property owners may file a formal appeal online at https://appeals.spatialest.com/nc-orange.

To receive a paper copy of the form, email reval@orangecountync.gov or call 919-245-2100, option 2. All formal appeals must be submitted prior to the Board’s adjournment on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021.

Tis the season for Job Fairs

Many local businesses are actively recruiting for open positions in a variety of careers. If you are seeking a new job or a new career, update your resume and check out these opportunities.

Hospitality/Entertainment Career Fair

Orange County Skills Development Center and NC Works are hosting events on the fourth Friday of June (June 25), July (July 23) and August (Aug. 27) at the covered parking area adjacent to the Europa Center (100 Europa Drive, Chapel Hill) for careers in the hospitality industry. Hiring managers from restaurants, hotels, craft breweries, event companies, caterers and more will be on site.
An active NC Works account is required. For more information, call Orange County Skills Development Center at (919) 245-4354 or visit our Facebook page.

Sodexo and UNC Health Event

Jobs open in Hillsborough, Chapel Hill and Siler City for Environmental Health & Infection Control Support Technicians. An active NC Works account is required. For more information, call Gary at (984) 974-2251 or visit Orange County Skills Development Center Facebook page.

Sports Endeavors Hillsborough

Sports Endeavors is hiring for seasonal warehouse jobs with opportunities for permanent placement. Call the recruiter at (984) 215-7839 or call Orange County Skills Development Center at (919) 245-4354 or visit our Facebook page.

Town of Chapel Hill with Local Economic Development Partners

This event is seeking applicants for full-time or part-time positions in restaurants and hotels, including Dishwashers, Utility/Prep, Prep Cooks, Line Cooks, Shift Supervisors, Sous Chefs, Kitchen Managers, Food Runners, Hosts, Wait Staff and Bartenders. For more information, contact Jerel Bonner at (919) 600-3978 or visit www.carolinachamber.org.

Walk-In COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics

New Walk-In COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic at Southern Human Services Center!
Monday through Friday 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
LOCATION: Southern Human Services Center at 2501 Homestead Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27516

Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Please arrive by 4:30 p.m. to be able to make it in time for the last appointment.
LOCATION: Whitted Human Services Center at 300 West Tryon St., Hillsborough, NC 27278

Free and no ID or insurance required.
No appointment is required for the walk-in clinics, but if you would like to schedule an appointment at a time and date that is convenient for you, call 919-913-8088 or https://myoptumserve.com/covid19.

What is important to you as you age in Orange County?

The Orange County Department on Aging and its Advisory Board are seeking the input of the community as they develop the next Master Aging Plan.

The Master Aging Plan (MAP) is a five-year plan that provides comprehensive and coordinated delivery of community services and supports that foster lifelong community engagement and well-being to older adults in Orange County. We are counting on your input to help develop the 2022-27 Master Aging Plan. The Master Aging Plan goals should reflect what is most important to you!

Survey participants have the opportunity to anonymously share their ideas and vision about how to make Orange County a great place to age. Take the survey online by clicking the QR code at the right or visiting www.orangecountync.gov/2021-MAP-Survey. A hardcopy of the survey can be picked up at the Seymour Center (2551 Homestead Rd., Chapel Hill) or Passmore Center (103 Meadowlands Dr., Hillsborough).

The survey will close July 15 and is available in English, Chinese and Spanish.

For more information or assistance, please call 919-968-2087 or visit www.orangecountync.gov/MasterAgingPlan.

Orange County Arts Commission announces 2021-22 Arts Grants program

The Orange County Arts Commission (OCAC) announced the opening of the 2020-21 Arts Grants Application Period on Tuesday, May 18. Approximately $60,000, funded by the North Carolina Arts Council and Orange County, will fund artist, school and nonprofit arts programs and projects taking place between July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022.

Two grants are available:

Artist Project Grants fund individual artist-led projects that benefit the greater community
Grassroots Arts Program Grants fund arts programs, projects, and services through area nonprofits, schools, and municipal organizations. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s school grant cycle will take place later this fall.

The deadline to apply is Wednesday, June 30, 2021. All applications must be submitted through the OCAC’s online submission program. For more information, including guidelines and criteria, please visit the arts commission’s website at www.artsorange.org, call 919-245-2335 or email arts@orangecountync.gov.

www.orangecountync.gov