Board of County Commissioners (BOCC)

The Orange County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) is the governing body of Orange County. Each of the seven commissioners is elected by the people of Orange County for a four-year term. Elections are held in November of even-numbered years. Group Photo of the Current Board of County Commissioners

BOCC Duties and Authorities

  • Adopting the county's annual budget by June 30 of each year
  • Establishing the annual property tax rate
  • Appointing the county manager, county clerk, county attorney and tax administrator
  • Appointing various officials and representatives to advisory boards and commissions
  • Providing funding for construction of public school facilities for both public school systems in the county
  • Determining level of local current expense funding for both public school systems in the county
  • Regulating land-use and zoning outside municipal boundaries
  • Providing for safety and welfare of all Orange County residents
  • Long-range planning for county needs (Capital Investment Plan)
  • Enacting local ordinances
  • Calling for bond referenda
  • Entering into contracts
  • Establishing new programs and departments
  • Serving as liaisons to local, state and federal boards and commissions

Contact the BOCC

The BOCC welcomes your feedback, comments, and questions.

Call the Clerk to the Board, Laura Jensen, at 919-245-2130

Email all Commissioners through a single email address

Disclaimer - All information and each communication sent to ocbocc@orangecountync.gov becomes a public record under North Carolina law. Emails received are subject to immediate public disclosure and may be viewed by the general public. Click here to view emails sent to ocbocc@orangecountync.gov.

Physical Address: 
300 W. Tryon St.
Hillsborough, NC 27278

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 8181
Hillsborough, NC 27278

View the full Department Directory

Meet the Commissioners

Click on a Commissioner's name below to get their individual contact information, learn which district(s) they represent, and read their biography.

Meetings

Board of County Commissioners meetings typically begin at 7:00 p.m. unless otherwise indicated. All meetings are open to the public. Meetings are usually held at one of the following locations:

  • Donna S. Baker Meeting Room, Whitted Building, 300 W. Tryon St., Hillsborough, NC
  • Board room at the Southern Human Services Center, 2501 Homestead Rd., Chapel Hill, NC 

View 2026 meeting dates and locations

Agendas & Minutes

Agendas are available before meetings. Minutes are available following approval.

View Most Recent Agendas and Minutes

Meeting Follow-up Requests 

Commissioner petitions and other topics brought up at meetings that require staff research can be viewed at the following links:

Other meeting information and resources

Meeting Videos

Live Meetings

BOCC meetings are available to livestream beginning at 6:45 pm each meeting night. Click here to livestream a BOCC meeting.

Additionally, residents of Orange County may view regular monthly meetings live on Spectrum Channel 1301. 

Recordings of Past Meetings

Videos beginning with the June 5, 2025 meeting going forward are available to view online. Click here to watch BOCC meeting recordings.

If you would like to view a meeting video before that date (available back to 2010), please contact the Clerk's Office by calling 919-245-2130 or by emailing the Clerk to the Board.

The most recent BOCC meeting can be viewed on Spectrum Cable digital channel 1301 at Noon and 7:00 p.m. each day.

Orange County Volunteer Boards and Commissions

About Volunteer Boards and Commissions

One way residents can have a positive impact on the future of Orange County is to serve on a volunteer board or commission. Review the requirements, application process, appointment procedures, and meeting dates for boards and commissions.

Volunteer Board Descriptions and Rosters

Review boards and commissions descriptions, current rosters, and current and upcoming vacancies.

Volunteer Boards and Commissions Vacancies

View a listing of all vacancies for volunteer boards and commissions.

Apply for a Board or Commission

Access the online Volunteer Boards and Commissions Application.

Volunteer Board Policies and Procedures

Review the Orange County Board of County Commissioners' Advisory Board Policy and Policies and Procedures specific to individual Orange County boards and commissions.

Code of Ordinances

Orange County Code of General Ordinances

Get access to the Code of General Ordinances of Orange County as maintained by Municipal Code Corporation, a private online service under contract with Orange County and is not intended to serve as the official County Code for Orange County. The information contained at this site is updated on a quarterly basis and may not include recent amendments to the County Code. Current information is available from records in the County Clerk's office in the official minutes of the Orange County Board of Commissioners. The official Orange County Code of General Ordinances may be viewed at the office of the Clerk to the Board of County Commissioners.

Orange County Code of Technical Ordinances-Unified Development Ordinance

Get access to the Code of Technical Ordinances of Orange County, including the Unified Development Ordinance, as maintained by the Orange County Planning Department, and is not intended to serve as the official County Code of Technical Ordinances for Orange County. The information contained at this page is updated on a regular basis and may not include recent amendments to the Orange County Code of Technical Ordinances. The official Orange County Code of Technical Ordinances is maintained and may be viewed at the Orange County Planning Department.

Topics of Interest

Opioid Settlement Funds

In July 2021, a bipartisan coalition of state attorneys general announced the National Opioid Settlement — a historic $26 billion agreement that will  help bring desperately needed help to communities harmed by the opioid epidemic. The State of North Carolina and all 100 counties, including Orange County, joined the agreement. Orange County is expected to receive $6,799,780 over an 18-year period. Learn more about how Orange County is using Opioid Settlement Funds to address the opioid epidemic.

2024 School Bond Referendum

At its April 2, 2024, meeting, the Orange County Board of Commissioners adopted a preliminary resolution stating its intent to proceed with a $300 million school bond referendum on the November 2024 ballot. The Bond was approved, and the proceeds will benefit Orange County Schools and the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools systems. Information about the 2024 Orange County School Bond Referendum is available here.