97.9 The Hill’s Brighton McConnell moderates a discussion between Shereese Alston, Beverly Scarlett and Hudson Vaughan of the Orange County Property Tax Justice Coalition, and Marilyn Carter and Amy Fowler of the county’s Board of Commissioners on Thursday, Dec. 11. This spring’s revaluation cycle saw plenty of property values rise in Orange County, many of which were significant. But the data consistently shows some of the most significant increases were in historically Black neighborhoods, which have many longtime residents aging in place. These changes threaten to overburden them with property taxes, causing the Coalition to spring into action. The group discusses the trends, what the organization and county government are doing to address it, and how to best communicate the process with community members.
The 2025 “Forum On The Hill” is presented by the Town of Chapel Hill, UNC Health, Wegmans, Coleman Merritt Murphy & Rainsford P.C., and The Law Office of Chris Barnes. Listen to the panels live on 97.9 The Hill WCHL the week of Dec. 8-12 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., or revisit them the day after on-demand at Chapelboro.com, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe:
Related Stories
‹
![]()
Orange County Adopts Firearm Safety OrdinanceThe Orange County Board of Commissioners adopted an ordinance drafted by The Orange County Firearm Safety Committee at the board’s meeting last week. The committee comprises eight members, with advisers from the board, sheriff’s office, county manager and N.C. Wildlife resources. The committee’s purpose was to draft a new ordinance, after the board unanimously voted […]
Orange County Reports Positive Rabies Test After Person Bitten By RaccoonOrange County Animal Services has reported a positive rabies test on a raccoon which was taken in for testing last week. According to OCAS, the raccoon bit a person after the person tried to “relocate” the animal. The incident occurred Dec. 26 near Pearson Road in Hurdle Mills in northern Orange County. The department reminded […]
Orange County Public Transportation Piloting Fare-Free Model in 2026Orange County Public Transportation will be piloting a one-year, fare-free model for its fixed-route transit services beginning Jan. 2, 2026. The Orange County Board of Commissioners approved the move at its Dec. 9 meeting. In a press release, the county government hailed the move as “an important step in testing strategies to expand mobility, promote […]
Orange County Communities to Interrupt Services for December Holidays (2025)Communities around Orange County will interrupt their normal service schedules during the upcoming winter holidays. Here’s what customers can expect: Town of Chapel Hill Town of Chapel Hill government offices will be closed from Wednesday, Dec. 24 through Friday, Dec. 26. Residential trash collection will not be affected. Yard trimmings will not be collected on […]
The Filing Period For 2026 Elections Is Over. Who’s Running in Orange County?As 2025 begins to wind down, many are already looking ahead to the 2026 midterm elections across the country — with the filing period for races in North Carolina ending on Friday. As of Dec. 19, candidates for federal, state and local offices can no longer file to formally begin their campaigns for the 2026 […]
'They Are Safe': How and Why Orange County Activates, Operates its Cold Weather ShelterFor the last four years, whenever winter temperatures drop to freezing, the Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness and other local government staff team up to provide an overnight shelter option.
Orange County Sheriff's Office Details String of Break-Ins, Larceny Charges Against 2 TeenagersThe Orange County Sheriff's Office formally announced criminal charges against a pair of 18-year-olds for a string of break-ins in November.
Orange County Board Makes CITEL Deal Official, Offers Tax IncentivesThe Orange County Board of Commissioners passed an agreement with CITEL to move its American manufacturing operations to Hillsborough.
Orange County Authorities Find Missing Teenager After Brief SearchUPDATE: The Orange County Sheriff's Office said at 10:57 p.m. the missing child has since been located.
![]()
Reforming and Contextualizing Orange County's Property Assessments — Dec. 11, 2025Brighton McConnell moderates a discussion between Shereese Alston, Beverly Scarlett, Hudson Vaughan, Marilyn Carter and Amy Fowler.
›
