Budget

[Rachel Phelps Hawkins]

II know you all have had a terrible time trying to come up with a budget.

I appreciate your trying. However to raise taxes to 4.+ % is a little much .

You know the state has not approved  a budget in three years. During this economy with people suffering greatly people losing jobs due to AI people having to pay more for gas just to get to work then they have to pay more for food. Maybe you are all too far removed from those people maybe enough people didn’t come out and  protest.

I wish you would put off approving  the budget until you can come up with a solution that does not take more away from the county RESIDENTS.

I have watched. I have looked at the amendments. It’s hard to please everybody all the time however it wouldn’t be unheard of to hold off, approving it. I don’t think there’s anything that is dependent on extra money at this time. Maybe a raise for the teachers may be a raise for the county employees. Maybe attention to safety in all areas for our people but other than that I really think you ought to pause and rethink. I am sorry, but I just don’t agree with your decisions. Thank you for your service.

RACHEL PHELPS Hawkins 

[Jean Hamilton]

Dear Rachel Phelps Hawkins,

 

On behalf of the Orange County Board of Commissioners (BOCC), thank you for sharing your viewpoints about the county budget. We are dealing with a challenging fiscal environment with fewer investments by the state and federal governments. The BOCC tried to balance minimizing the property tax increase and funding county and school district capital investments, modest salary increases to recruit and retain county and school staff, and county services. We know that we will have to work hard this upcoming fiscal year to find ways to continue providing needed services and not raise taxes.

 

Sincerely,

Jean

 

Jean Hamilton, Chair

Orange County Board of Commissioners

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From: Rachel Phelps Hawkins <rphelpsh...@gmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, June 14, 2026 8:38 AM
To: ALL_BOCC_MANAGER_CLERK <OCB...@orangecountync.gov>
Subject: Budget

 

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