Priorities

For more detail on Jamezetta Bedford’s priorities for Orange County NC, click on the “Read More” links below.

• Education  Read More
  Public education faces many challenges from pre-K through college. Orange County is committed to providing excellent schools for all students. I have served on the CHCCS Board of Education for twelve years, including three as Chair and three as Vice-Chair and I am very aware of the challenges facing our two school districts. Given the negative changes in education policy, cuts in funding, and pitiful teacher pay from the majority party in the General Assembly, the commissioners need to re-think school funding. My extensive knowledge of the schools and experience with budgeting will help with that process.I believe the county and state need to provide a quality education for all of our students. I also support the CHCCS district tax which has existed since 1909. In order to have schools of equity and excellence, there must be sufficient funding for both operating and capital needs.Here’s one example of a change that I would support: The division of capital funding for schools and county projects should no longer be set at 60:40, as adopted in 2005. County funds for capital projects like HVAC replacement is divided so that the two school districts receive 60% and the county 40%. Funding for capital maintenance and repairs should be based on quantifiable criteria such as square footage, hours of operation, numbers of people/students/employees served daily, age of facilities, etc. I will advocate for a new analysis of this practice to determine if a different ratio is best policy or if another practice would be better policy. School facilities have deteriorated under the current ratio to the point a significant bond package will address less than half of the need.Pre-school and quality childcare combine as significant and proven strategies to close the achievement gap. I support the use of county capital dollars when constructing and renovating schools to add pre-K classrooms. I support funding to add to the limited state and federal funds for pre-school and also for childcare. In fact, the gap exists at age 3 and we must begin to look at interventions and strategies from pre-conception to age 3, focusing on models of prevention which cost less and are more educationally effective than remediation. A good example of the programming we need to develop and expand is the county Family Success Alliance which partners with other organizations to tackle poverty “to improve children’s chances for educational and economic opportunities by serving a defined geographic area (a zone) and its children with a seamless ‘pipeline’ of evidence-based programs, service, and supports from cradle to career.”I can talk with you for hours about education and children. I’d like your vote to advocate and serve at the county level. As the grandmother of two young children, I am committed to public education and especially motivated to continue this work. 

• Fiscal Planning and Economic Development Read More
  We need long-term fiscal planning to ensure the health of our residents, education system, economy and environment now and in the future. As a CPA, I have expertise in cash flow analysis, budgeting, and forecasting. I have over 12 years of experience working with local small businesses, non-profits and individuals. I understand audits (having worked on several), the ever-changing tax code and governmental accounting, all of which will help with policy decision-making and anticipating the real impacts on people in our community. During this recession, the commissioners have carefully limited tax increases. The county needs to diversify the tax base from an over-reliance on residential real estate to smart economic development that creates jobs and does not harm the environment. This is essential so that we can pay for the services we need and the quality of life we desire. The county budget needs to prioritize the goals and needs of the residents, using comprehensive strategic planning.

• Social Services and Equity Read More
  As the mother of an adult with autism, I am very familiar with the lack of social services and safety net for people with disabilities and their families. This same scarcity exists for residents across the county who need access to housing, mental health services, food, childcare, senior care and services, health and dental care, etc. These services benefit children and adults so they have better, healthier lives.For example, the CHCCS Board of Education and administrators recognized long ago that mental health needs are increasing in our school population and in order for children to learn better, those needs must be met. The same is true for food scarcity across all ages. As the commissioners heard in the recent bond public hearings, affordable housing helps all ages including school children. Senior services need expansion. I am a strong supporter of residents, nonprofits, universities and government partnering together to meet these needs.The county is taking a proactive approach with criminal justice hiring the county’s first criminal justice resource manager. Despite funding cuts from the state, the county is spending local funds to prevent higher expense later and to improve outcomes for citizens. Most people would not include parks and recreation under the umbrella of social services, but I think it fits here. More and more research indicates that exercise, being out-doors, and managing stress improves health. Our parks provide a place for all of of this to happen and provides social contacts and fun! Community centers similarly provide a place for these services to happen. Transportation is another critical element to enable residents to access services and jobs. Social services and resources available to all residents enriches our lives. We must support those most in need and provide opportunities for all of us to flourish.

• Sustainability Read More
  Orange County residents value the environment and promote sustainable practices. County facilities and schools need to be built to LEED specifications so that they are energy efficient and sustainable over time. Improvements need to be made to use more efficient lighting, for example. CHCCS have a policy directing this. The BOCC recently approved giving worn out county computers to the school district for students to update for other students to have at home. Win:win. The school district hired a sustainability coordinator four years ago and he has saved the district more than enough money to cover his salary along with integrating his work with student learning. Cafeteria waste is now diverted from the trash stream. Students at McDougle have a solar learning station. The quarter-cent sales tax allocated to the older schools is used for updated lighting and other energy smart improvements. Small HVAC control changes in school buildings resulted in financial savings.Orange County encourages extensive sustainability initiatives and goals. I support continuing and expanding this important work. 

• Affordable Housing Read More
  Partnering with nonprofits with experience in affordable housing development is an affordable housing option. For example, Chapel Hill is partnering with nonprofit DHIC, to construct affordable apartments using federal tax credits for investors as administered by the NC Housing Finance Agency. The town donated the land and Chapel Hill and the county provided low cost loans of about $300K. The tax credits will generate about $7.2 million in financing.  These 80 apartments are for those with incomes at or below 60% of the local median income. It’s a start, but the need is much greater.The Seattle Times reports Jan 1, 2016 that cities and counties are partnering a low-interest loan program to lend to developers to buy land or existing apartments near transit stops that would be reserved and priced for people earning less than 80% of the area median income. It is expected that developers would also line up other funding sources such as the federal tax credits. This loan program is intended to pass the first hurdle of acquiring the land or existing apartments. It is modeled on similar programs in Denver and the Bay Area. I also think developing a locally funded rent subsidy program needs to be researched. Another area of concern is the substandard quality of some existing rental units. Could a low-interest loan program be used to help landlords make repairs while requiring that rents remain low?
  Some states have senior citizen and disabled exemptions that reduces property taxes by 50% for those over age 65 and earning below some threshold such as $29,000 (NY). In NC those 65 years old or older, or who are totally disabled, and have income below $29,500 may apply for the Homestead Exclusion Program for a discount of $25,000 or 50% of the appraised value of your permanent residence plus the value of up to 1.0 acre of land, whichever is greater. We can advocate for more significant tax relief or for the power for the county to have the right to adjust this, at the state level for homeowners, but this does not help renters.

  The county is landbanking to have some land available for displaced mobile units. That’s creative. We can review ordinances for any changes needed to consider allowing tiny homes that are currently classified as trailers and accessory dwelling units. We need to ask our professional staff to investigate other communities’ work in this area, ask if the chambers can provide assistance with gathering this information, ask our residents and check in with our universities for their knowledge and research. The towns, county, and UNC need to collaborate as well on these solutions.