Orange County Commissioners have appointed Jamezetta Bedford, Matt Hughes and Theresa Watson to fill three of the four at-large positions on the Bond Education Committee.

The three positions were filled by a 4-2 vote at the board’s meeting on Thursday with Commissioner Renee Price and Penny Rich dissenting.

The committee will help design and develop a campaign to help spread important information about the bond to the community, according to earlier discussions from the board.

The upcoming bond package is the largest in county history at $125 million; the bulk of the money will be designated to make repairs and update safety concerns at local schools. The remaining $5 million will be used to increase affordable housing.

Hughes and Bedford both ran unsuccessfully for seats on the Board of County Commissioners this March. Hughes has been chair of the Orange County Democrats for several years and Bedford has long served on the Chapel Hill – Carrboro City Schools Board of Education until she decided not to seek reelection last November.

Watson also mounted an unsuccessful run for an elected position recently, campaigning for the Chapel Hill – Carrboro City School Board in November.

One appointed seat on the Bond Education Committee remains unfilled at this time.

Commissioners also voted to designate $20,000 to the County Manager to “support the Committee’s work and assistance through a vendor/consultant.”

The bonds, $120 million for schools and $5 million for affordable housing, will be on the November ballot in Orange County.

Related Stories
‹
Orange County Discusses Bond Projects and State Budget Delay With Local School Boards
The Orange County Board of Commissioners recently held a joint meeting with the local school boards to hear updates from each district.
Voters Approve Bond Referendums in Orange County, Chapel Hill For Schools and Infrastructure Projects
Voters in Orange County made their support of funding major school infrastructure projects and various Chapel Hill projects clear on Tuesday.
Projects Designations and Total Dollars: School Bond Takes Shape with Orange County's Framework
The Orange County school infrastructure bond referendum planned for the fall took its latest step forward on Tuesday night.
Affordable Housing Advocates Promote Orange County Bond
Should you vote yes or no on Orange County's affordable housing bond?
Orange County: Tax Administrator Hire, Upcoming Budget Decisions, Upcoming Events
Chair of the Orange County Commissioners Jean Hamilton spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Wednesday, February 25, discussing county news and events. She talked about the timeline and priorities around the hire of a new county Tax Administrator, outlined some of the upcoming discussions around the county's budget, discussed early voting in our community, and more.
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.
›