A six-month process to compile more timely information about Orange County finances is now complete.

A new portal is now online that will make information about Orange County’s budget publicly available. The Financial Transparency Portal was unveiled on Tuesday night by Chief Financial Officer Gary Donaldson.

“The purpose of it is to provide an alternate means to assess the county’s financial operations,” said Donaldson.

Residents can go to the page and find updated information about total expenditures from various departments, including education, general government, public safety, school debt services and OPC mental health.

“It just offers another view,” said Donaldson. “Obviously, the analytical information will be done on a quarterly basis. But this puts it at residents’ fingertips.

The portal has three years of expenditures from every county department, the year-to-date budget and plans for the 2017 budget. Donaldson says it’s a comprehensive look at how Orange County is spending its money.

It took six months for Donaldson, Paul Lutton, Darryl Butts and Pascal Moore to design the website. But Donaldson says it will be constantly updated.

“We will be adding pertinent information and content as we proceed with it,” said Donaldson.

The County Commissioners collectively applauded the presentation from Donaldson. Chairman Earl Mckee was particularly impressed.

“I think we can all agree anybody whose willing and interesting can drill down to the final detail,” said McKee. “Folks that criticize us for throwing away money, they ought to spend some time drilling down to where the money goes so maybe they can find something that we’re throwing away.”

Related Stories
‹
Orange County Man Nets $100,000 Prize on North Carolina Lottery Ticket
Orange County resident Steven Smith found one of ten $100,000 prizes in a North Carolina Education Lottery scratch-off series.
Orange County: Transit Work Programs, Tax Administrator Hire, Early Voting
Chair of the Orange County Commissioners Jean Hamilton spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Wednesday, February 18, discussing county news and events. She talked about the recent meeting of the county commissioners, which included reports on transit work programs, Orange County Animal Services, the Longtime Homeowner Assistance Program, and more. She also talked about the process for hiring a new Tax Administrator, the early voting period continuing, and more.
Conversation We Need to Have: Orange County Chief Civil Rights Officer Paul Slack
Orange County Chief Civil Rights Officer Paul Slack spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Monday, February 16. He discussed his connection to Minneapolis and recent events that have played out with protesters and federal agents there. He also talked about ADA work his office has been completing for the town's website, and some other recent programs that have come through the Office of Civil rights, and more.
2026 Candidate Introductions: Democratic Primaries for the Orange County Board of Commissioners
After only one of the 2024 races for the Orange County Board of Commissioners was contested in the primary cycle, all three have competition this year.
'Together is The Only Path Forward': Orange County's Habitat for Humanity Hosts Affordable Housing Summit
Amid a shortage of affordable housing – both locally and nationally – the Orange County chapter of Habitat for Humanity recently held a summit to discuss how leaders can collectively aim to better address the issue.
2026 Candidate Introductions: Democratic Primary for N.C. House District 50
North Carolina House District 50 covers much of Orange County and all of Caswell County, featuring a distinct rural makeup of communities.
Local Government Meetings: February 9-13, 2025
This week in local government: residents in Chatham County push back against Flock license-plate cameras and AI data centers.
NC Town's Beloved Cat Returns Home After Traveling From The Coast To Orange County
A costal NC community recently celebrated the return of its beloved local cat Hoover after he ended up at the Orange County Animal Shelter.
Orange County: Snow Response, Interlocal Agreements, Primary Election Season
Chair of the Orange County Commissioners Jean Hamilton spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Wednesday, February 4, discussing county news and events. She discussed the recent snow and cold weather events and the county's response to those events. She also talked about a pair of interlocal agreements discussed at the most recent meeting of the commissioners dealing with school projects, and tax collection. She also previewed the early voting period, which begins next week, and more.
Haw River Assembly Shares Annual Report on Health of the Watershed, Issues Facing It
In February, the Haw River Assembly will host several opportunities for the community to hear updates on the state of the watershed.
›