Orange County Commissioners could take the next step toward securing a home for a future county jail facility Tuesday night.

The Hillsborough Board of Commissioners recently voted to rezone a 21-acre property, which had been targeted for a new county campus – including a new detention facility – by the Orange County Board of Commissioners.

Chair of the Orange County Commissioners Mark Dorosin said the county is set to move forward with the acquisition process after completing its due diligence evaluating the property.

“Assessing the soils, the environmental issues, all of the things that go into determining whether this is a physically suitable site for the campus,” Dorosin said.

In addition to the detention center, the county is exploring the possibility of building a new Environment and Agricultural Center on the property, which Dorosin said could help solve multiple issues because the current facility is in need of major renovations.

“Do we spend a lot of money renovating it? Do we spend money to knock it down and build something new in its place,” Dorosin asked. “This gives us an opportunity to potentially move that, make it more accessible to the folks who need it and, potentially, free up a piece of property that the county owns that’s in a residential community that could be used for affordable housing.”

The proposal has drawn pushback from neighbors who have asked elected officials to find a different site for the proposed jail and other county facilities. Officials reviewed several locations when looking at possible sites before moving forward on the current location.

Tuesday night’s County Commissioner meeting is scheduled for seven o’clock at the Whitted Meeting Facility in Hillsborough. You can view the agenda here.

Related Stories
‹
Orange County: Consultants Findings on County Tax Revaluation, What Happens Next
Chair of the Orange County Commissioners Jean Hamilton spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Wednesday, October 7. She discussed the finding's of a consultant's analysis of the count's most recent property revaluation. She talked about findings that weren't best practice, some of the moves going forward to ensure equity in future revaluation, and more.
The Morning News: Trails, Trials, and Property Revaluations
In today's news: nonprofits work to transform Chapel Hill's Lower Booker Creek Trail, and Orange County reexamines its property revaluation.
The Morning News: Budgets, Data Centers, Juries, Candidates, and Michael Jordan
In today's news: Orange County officials list a string of budget pressures, while county staff consider regulating data centers.
'Our Biggest Pressure': Orange County Facing Multiple Budget Crunches, With More Looming
Orange County officials say the county's budget is facing significant pressure from multiple sides at once, and Election Day could bring more.
Local Government Meetings: October 5-9, 2026
This week in local government: Orange County Commissioners discuss data centers and property revaluation, while Carrboro talks composting.
2026 Candidate Introductions: Orange County Board of Commissioners
For the 2026 election, 97.9 The Hill and Chapelboro.com spoke with Orange County candidates to detail their policy goals, positions and inspirations.
Orange County: Commissioner Jean Hamilton and NC State Representative Renee Price
Chair of the Orange County Commissioners Jean Hamilton and North Carolina District 50 Representative Renee Price joined 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Wednesday, September 30th, as part of a special presentation of The Forum on The Hill. They discussed the proposed constitutional amendment requiring limits on property tax increases by local governments, which will appear on the ballot in November. They discussed the mechanism of the proposed law the way it is currently written, and outlined the possible outcomes and implications if the amendment were to pass, and more.
Conversations We Need to Have - Orange County Civil Rights Officer Paul Slack
Orange County Civil Rights Officer Paul Slack spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, September 29. He discussed the work his office has been working on, including increasing communication and accountability systems. He also discussed upcoming Hispanic Heritage Month activities, a partnership with Orange County Schools, and more.
Local Government Meetings: September 28-October 2, 2026
This week in local government: Tongde Wu officially takes her oath of office as the newest member of the CHCCS school board.
On Air Today: Orange County's Housing Choice Voucher Waitlist
Orange County's Housing Choice Voucher Waitlist is now open! You have until 5 p.m. Friday, October 2 to apply.
›