Please remove amendment #CIP-B05, funding for Community Climate Acton Grants, from the proposed list of County budget cuts.

[Leto Copeley]

Dear County Commissioners:

I am writing to request that you please provide full funding for the County's Community Climate Action Grants, by sparing this program from the cuts proposed in the County Manager's budget. 

I recognize you have many difficult decisions to make as federal cuts have squeezed county funding in many needed areas. However, here's why funding for this program is vital: 

• Debilitating heat, historically damaging weather events, and reductions in numbers of pollinator species are all increasing at alarming rates. The problems are life and health threatening, and will not take care of themselves. 
• It is vital that we invest in climate resiliency for the lives and health of young people and future generations. The time to do that is today.
• As a member of the Commission for the Environment, I have become aware of the groundbreaking, committed, and inspiring nature of the work done by these grant recipients. These projects bring neighbors together to help improve each others' lives, at a time when divisiveness is being encouraged from outside our neighborhoods. Meaning, the work of these community leaders serve as an example for residents of Orange County and in other counties across our state to follow. 
  

A clean and safe outdoor environment is vital to the health of our county's residents. 

Thank you very much for your consideration. 

Leto Copeley

100 Vireo Lane

Hillsborough NC 27278

919-606-8707

[Jean Hamilton]

Dear Leto Copeley,

 

On behalf of the Orange County Board of Commissioners (BOCC), thank you for sharing your viewpoints about the county budget and potential cuts to the Climate Action Grants.

 

We appreciate the feedback as budget season nears the end with a Budget Work Session on June 4 where commissioners discuss and vote on amendments to the County Manager’s Recommended Budget.

 

Sincerely,

Jean

 

Jean Hamilton, Chair

Orange County Board of Commissioners

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From: Leto Copeley <lcop...@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, May 29, 2026 7:47 PM
To: ALL_BOCC_MANAGER_CLERK <OCB...@orangecountync.gov>
Cc: Amy Eckberg <aeck...@orangecountync.gov>; Karina Nabors <lna...@orangecountync.gov>; Melony "Mel" Gilles <mgi...@orangecountync.gov>; imatmor <ima...@protonmail.com>; Aimee Vandemark <aimeeva...@gmail.com>; Kristie Mather <mather....@gmail.com>; Lily Schacht <lily.s...@gmail.com>; Leto Copeley <lcop...@gmail.com>; Jeff Ryan <jeffr...@gmail.com>; Mark Randall <mdra...@bellsouth.net>; Matthew Ferguson <matthewbro...@gmail.com>; John Bucher <janus.fut...@gmail.com>; Patrick J Fn'Piere <pfnp...@gmail.com>; Regina Baratta <rtba...@gmail.com>
Subject: Please remove amendment #CIP-B05, funding for Community Climate Acton Grants, from the proposed list of County budget cuts.

 

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