Highlights about Taxes

The Carrboro Town Council hears emotional testimony on taxes, Human Services cuts, and the costly Bolin Creek Greenway before adopting a budget that restores Human Services funding without raising property taxes. Council members also respond to community concerns about the long‑term greenway plan, issue proclamations on inclusion and gun violence, and back a speed limit reduction on Homestead Road for safer travel.

The Orange County Board of Commissioners hears a student’s push for stronger youth vaping protections, weighs preserving Arts Commission support amid budget cuts, and considers amendments to bolster schools and the Chapel Hill Public Library. Commissioners also advance opioid settlement funding, hear concerns about protecting farmland, and vote to renegotiate a decades-old tax collection agreement with local towns.

The Durham Public Schools Board of Education wrestles with support for international teachers, staff transfer requests at overcrowded Lyons Farm Elementary, and uneven state pay raises while outlining tight budget realities and new transparency rules. The board also hears updates on transportation reliability, free student meals, and major facility upgrades that hinge on future bond funding.

The Orange County Board of Commissioners reviews the county manager’s recommended budget, including school funding gaps, program shifts, and a 3.75-cent property tax increase. Residents weigh in on senior center fees, cuts to Chapel Hill Public Library funding, and ongoing support for permanently affordable homes.