The Board of Orange County Commissioners won’t return for a business meeting in 2023 for the whole first month of the year. But with the election of Renée Price to the North Carolina House of Representatives this past fall, the county’s elected officials still have a top priority to finish: filling Price’s vacant seat.
The appointment process is used in Orange County when a term goes unfinished. In this case, Price was elected to a four-year District 2 term in 2020, meaning whoever takes her seat will hold it through the 2024 election cycle.
The four-page application has been posted on the Orange County website since early December. The questions ask for written responses to how the county government ought to best address diversity, funding needs and affordable housing.
With Friday being the final day for applications from the community, the commissioners’ new chair spoke about the appointment process and what those interested should prepare for. Jamezetta Bedford, who represents District 1, said while those written responses will be what ultimately helps the county board make its selection, there are broader rules that limit who can apply.
“There are a couple of prerequisites,” added Bedford. “You need to be [at least] 18 years old, you’ve got to be a Democrat, you need to live in District 2. And if you’re not sure [if you do,] you can go to the state Board of Elections and check which district or call our elections department and double-check that. But it’s generally the area that [covers] Orange County Schools.”
After the application cycle is closed on Friday, the Orange County Democratic Party will have a chance to provide input. Since Price was registered with the party, Bedford said the group will review the applicants during a meeting on January 30 and can make an official endorsement.
“It’s a non-binding recommendation,” Bedford added. “When we did this a little over a year ago, there were four applicants and [the party] recommended all four. It’s very loose, as far as what they want to do.”
That most recent appointment process was to fill Mark Dorosin’s seat in 2021. Anna Richards, who was elected for a full term to the county board this past election cycle, was unanimously chosen.
If there is not a robust pool, or one stand-out applicant, the county government will have to go back to the drawing board. Bedford explained what the timeline would be over the next month if this first round of applications comes up empty.
Orange County seeks an individual to serve the final two years of Renee Price's term on the Board of Commissioners. Applicants must be registered Democrats and live in District 2. Applications are due to the Clerk to the Board by Jan. 6 at 5 p.m. Info: https://t.co/L3bj3e27sb
— Orange County NC Gov (@OCNCGOV) January 4, 2023
“I hope that doesn’t happen, but if it did – at the end of the month, the clerk of court would actually have to appoint [someone],” the chair said. “So, we would need to quickly open up the applications again, go through that process…which is why we [targeted] the first meeting on February 7 just in case to give us those additional three weeks if we need it to repeat the process.”
Bedford said for those looking to get their applications in on the final day (or if there’s a potential future round), any questions or concerns they have could be directed to the current elected officials.
“They’re certainly welcome to reach out to any commissioner,” she said, “we’ll be glad to answer questions about the responsibilities or the duties. Laura Jensen, our clerk, would also be glad to answer that for you.”
The board chair added, though, that anyone hoping for the role ought to be prepared to face a steep learning curve and to be very passionate about local government operations.
“We go from animal services to zoning,” Bedford said. “From libraries, planning…there is so much. There are still things that the county does that I probably don’t know about, but we learn about [them]. If you have interest in serving the community, we welcome your application.”
A link to the Orange County Board of Commissioners’ District 2 vacancy can be found here. Completed applications must be emailed or delivered to the county’s clerk by 5 p.m. this evening.
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