A public hearing on Orange County’s proposed budget and 3.75 cent tax hike focused mostly on funding for the Chapel Hill Library and city and county public schools. Commissioners offered alternatives/suggestions to offset cuts in both, primarily more spending and a bigger tax hike. No decisions were made. They’ll tackle the budget again once more before a June 16 vote.
Voters who haven’t shared their views on the budget can do so at ocbocc@orangecountync.gov.
Carrboro Holds Line
Carrboro cut spending and has no tax increase. Employees get a 2.5 percent pay hike.
The town rejected a campaign by 41 Carrboro taxpayers to remove Bolin Creek Greenway phases 3 and 4 ($20M price tag) from the CIP, saying it is an approved project and critical to the town’s Climate Action commitment.
Hillsborough planned to hold the line on taxes but could go with a 2 cent tax hike to meet rising costs. They’re planning 3-5 percent merit pay hikes, plus $1,000 COLA for employees.
Chapel Hill and other local communities dug deep into carryover funds to avoid raising taxes. J.B.