Commissioners create Opioid Advisory Committee

The Orange County Board of Commissioners approved the creation of the Orange County Opioid Advisory Committee at its Sept. 6 business meeting. The committee will advise the Board of Commissioners on how to utilize the county’s share of the national opioid settlement funds. Orange County is expected to receive $6,799,780 over the next 18 years and has already received its initial payment of $261,245.

“In July 2021, a bipartisan coalition of state attorneys general announced the national opioid settlement,” Orange County Health Director Quintana Stewart said. “This is a historic $26 billion agreement that would bring desperately needed help to communities harmed by the opioid epidemic.”

According to Stewart, there were 29 overdose deaths and 110 Emergency Department visits for suspected overdoses in Orange County in 2021. Stewart said more than 90 percent of the deaths were unintentional.

The committee will discuss opioid-related health concerns and issues impacting Orange County residents, advise the BOCC on options to expend funds to prevent opioid use and remedy opioid impacts, and plan and host an annual meeting to receive input on proposed uses of settlement funds.

The BOCC approved a 19-member advisory committee that includes representatives from the Orange County Sheriff, the Hillsborough, Carrboro and Chapel Hill police departments, Orange County schools, Chapel Hill-Carrboro schools, UNC Hospital, Alliance Health and representatives from the following county departments: Social Services, Emergency Services, Criminal Justice Resource Department and Health.

In addition, several spots will be open for county residents through an application process. Two spots will be for individuals with lived experience, along with a substance abuse treatment provider, a community group working on opioid-related concerns, an employment provider and two flex spots.

Residents interested in volunteering for one of the non-designated spots on the committee can contact Tara May at tmay@orangecountync.gov or (919) 245-2125.

Click here for the link to the application.

Photo of Attorney General Josh Stein speaking

North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein traveled to Orange County on Monday, Sept. 19, to discuss the ongoing Opioid epidemic, to highlight Orange County opioid interventions and to emphasize the significance of opioid settlement funds to supporting efforts in the county. Stein and other state attorneys general helped negotiate a historic $26 billion agreement with drug providers that will bring desperately needed relief to communities impacted by opioid abuse. Orange County is expected to receive $6,799,780 over the next 18 years.

Blackwood Farm Park reopening delayed until October

The reopening of Blackwood Farm Park has been delayed until October due to ongoing supply chain issues.

The park was closed for renovations in August 2021 and was expected to reopen in August 2022. Enhancements included a new entrance with a dedicated turn lane on Highway 86, an expanded parking area with a looped driveway, an amphitheater, a large picnic shelter, permanent restrooms, and a park office and maintenance area.

After making excellent progress, supply chain issues in recent months have impacted the delivery of many items, including windows and other glass and certain mechanical and electrical equipment.

Due to these delays, the park is scheduled to be completed in mid-late October, with an opening date in the weeks following.

OCAS offers grant program for animal welfare initiatives

Orange County Animal Services is offering The Pat Sanford Animal Welfare Grant, a program to support animal welfare initiatives and projects in Orange County, thanks to a generous donation from Friends of Orange County Animal Shelter for that purpose. This is the seventh year the award has been offered, and it will be awarded for initiatives up to $500. Applications must be received by Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022.

The grant can be used for a wide range of pilot or seed projects or to supplement other programs, projects, and grants that support companion animals, including those animals used in recreation or therapy. It is available to individuals, groups, and organizations.

Recipients do not have to live in Orange County, but the funds must be used to aid animal welfare efforts in Orange County. Past recipients include Hope Animal Rescue, Independent Animal Rescue, NC Therapeutic Riding Center, Pet Pals, Trestle Leaf Web Design, Carolina Boxer Rescue, and Our Wild Neighbors.

The program honors Pat Sanford, former Executive Director of the Animal Protection Society of Orange County (APS). Sanford served there for 17 years, where she pushed for spay/neuter to combat the county’s pet overpopulation problem and helped expand the APS twice. After her retirement in 2002, Sanford continued her work for Orange County animals and served on the county’s Animal Services Advisory Board for several years.

Ms. Sanford’s accomplishments are vast and her contributions helped Orange County become one of the leading counties in the state and country for animal placement, recovery, and overall well-being. The grants awarded in her honor will support efforts that exemplify the same dedication and commitment to animal welfare in Orange County. The initial donation will sustain the program for a 10-year period. Additional donations are welcomed to increase the annual award amount and to extend the period in which the grant is awarded.

For more information on the grant, to find the application, and to find out more about giving opportunities for this program, visit http://www.orangecountync.gov/368/Pat-Sanford-Animal-Welfare-Award.

Come to the library in Hillsborough or Carrboro September 1-30 to sign up for a library card and get a denim tote bag, while supplies last. (Venga a la biblioteca en Hillsborough o Carrboro del 1 al 30 de septiembre para registrarse para obtener una tarjeta de biblioteca y obtener una bolsa de mano de mezclilla, mientras duren los suministros.)

Applications open for Longtime Homeowners Assistance property tax relief program

Applications are now being taken for the Longtime Homeowners Assistance (LHA) program for 2022. In 2021, the LHA was a pilot program created by the Board of Commissioners that provided grants to homeowners for assistance in paying property taxes. The goal of the LHA is to provide property tax bill assistance to help people stay in their homes.

The board approved several changes for 2022 to boost participation, including reducing the requirement to have owned and lived in the home from 10 years to five years. The changes formalized policies for heir’s properties and those owned by Family Trusts to provide assistance based on the income of the persons who live in the household and not all the heirs or members of the trust.

The Orange County Housing Department administers the LHA program in collaboration with the Orange County Tax Office and Finance Departments. Homeowners can submit applications and supporting documents between August 1 through December 1, 2022 in a few different ways:
ONLINE: Applications and materials can be submitted online
DROPOFF: Paper Applications and drop-off boxes are available at Orange County Housing offices
Hillsborough- Whitted Building, 300 W Tryon St
Chapel Hill, Southern Human Services Center, 2501 Homestead Rd
GET HELP: Contact the Housing Helpline for assistance in completing LHA applications

919-245-2655
housinghelp@orangecountync.gov

Orange County Arts Commission fall classes graphic

The Orange County Arts Commission offers many classes for youth and adults. Fall classes are accepting registrations now. Financial assistance is available.

Solarize the Triangle to host Free Public Info Session

The Triangle Sustainability Partnership, a recently formed local government partnership of 11 communities, forged Solarize the Triangle to enable residents and businesses to save on the ordinary cost of solar energy and battery power through combined purchasing with others across the Triangle plus the availability of a federal tax credit.

The more residents and business owners who contract for solar installations through the program, the more savings accrue for all participants. The 2nd price tier in the program ($2.98/watt) was reached through initial contracts totaling 102.4 Total kW.

All homeowners who purchase during the campaign, regardless of when, will be provided with the lowest-price ($2.68 /watt) if Tier 8 is reached. Enrollment is under way now through Dec. 31 at: www.solarizethetriangle.com.

In addition, the federal government’s newly passed Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) means that federal tax credits have increased to 30 percent in savings for newly installed solar energy systems and batteries.

To help local property owners – both residential and business owners – learn more about the program’s many dimensions, a free public online learning event is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 28 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. This online Information Session will feature:

Representatives from the Partnership that developed and support Solarize the Triangle;
Experts in solar energy from the locally selected installer company chosen via competitive bidding;
Details about the benefits of solar energy and battery storage;
Financing information as well as updates on the IRA federal tax incentives;
How one can enroll for a free solar-energy assessment of their residence or place of business through Solarize the Triangle.

Register for this free event Here.

www.orangecountync.gov