[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6750855,"mediaKeyId","2135618-44f580e25454d7725f7ed1c5be7e154c","parentId",2135618,"title","Chatham County launches tax‑relief program for long‑term low‑income homeowners; board approves $200,000 rollout","audioSeconds",3442,"startMs",3513000,"endMs",6955000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2135618-44f580e25454d7725f7ed1c5be7e154c&start=3513&end=6955","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2135618-44f580e25454d7725f7ed1c5be7e154c/thumbnail_3513000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6750855/Chatham-County/North-Carolina/Chatham-County-launches-taxrelief-program-for-longterm-lowincome-homeowners-board-approves-200000-rollout","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6750855-1afcdf200e5a26d3d9357a96de36e9b5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200413&Signature=JuAAUCISEm-PRvU9DbkENmh44MCcl34UfLbS4vczH8DcKiSb6ZqBH-m9IDpDT56geEV1uX-65gYfADPsZidnKxMSar0kQQ0jDZkNQOL~dkxIS82QggoOffeMVHtFNU32i4o5qe5ka4Q4vxbXMhTIwabaK5u4xFHVBlR-2ldMGoBymsoFEa0H5b8g61csGM9SNeAsPamWCMBGOv8yinVv2pjJrlLWDg7zahB9rq21k6lhw~hluApCd2EnUpoB1-2Qr~DaNPDxJrGQa2ouUJmRU7oBFSV0fhRNKYuuewNa3zvmMRT5g7~zsvNBDG1PvpKEooIDVofxGoq4auRqYZnvAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Chatham County","date","2025-01-21T00:00:00Z","article","Chatham County commissioners approved a new county tax‑relief program for long‑term, low‑income homeowners at the Jan. 21 meeting.

Jason Smith, the county's director of housing and community development, presented the proposed program framework, which the board authorized after discussion. The county allocated $200,000 for the initial rollout; individual participants can receive up to $500 as a refund applied as a county check after qualifying. The program is intended for residents who meet the following eligibility criteria: they must be Chatham County residents, the property must be their primary residence for at least five years, they must be current on all tax bills (the program is not intended to clear delinquent bills), and they must not be receiving other tax‑relief assistance under another program during the same period.

Smith described an income eligibility limit set at 60% of area median income (AMI), the common HUD definition for low income. The program also limits the refund to no more than 50% of a household's tax bill; for example, a tax bill of $800 would yield a maximum $400 refund (but the overall $500 cap still applies). Smith said the parameters were chosen to stretch county dollars to serve the most households while providing meaningful relief.

Applications will be accepted online and in paper form (available at DSS and the tax office); staff plan outreach to stapled flyers on late tax notices and informational flyers included with tax bills. The first wave of applicants is expected when late notices are mailed in February and again when tax bills are mailed in August. Smith told commissioners the program is being structured as a year‑one pilot: county staff will track applications, denials and reasons for ineligibility and return to the board with data and recommendations for changes in year two.

The board voted to approve the program as presented; staff will implement application intake and begin outreach ahead of the February late notices.

Contact: Jason Smith, Director, Housing and Community Development.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Chatham County - Board of Commissioners on 2025-01-21 3:00 PM - Jan 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Chatham County commissioners approved a new $200,000 tax‑relief pilot on Jan. 21 to help low‑income homeowners who have lived in their primary residence five or more years; eligible households may receive up to $500 back, subject to income and other limits.","taxTitle","Chatham County, North Carolina","taxId",72775,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6750862,"Chatham County pauses UDO rezoning work after passage of North Carolina Senate Bill 382 restricting downzoning",2329,1657000,3986000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2135618-44f580e25454d7725f7ed1c5be7e154c&start=1657&end=3986","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2135618-44f580e25454d7725f7ed1c5be7e154c/thumbnail_1657000.jpg","/articles/6750862/Chatham-County/North-Carolina/Chatham-County-pauses-UDO-rezoning-work-after-passage-of-North-Carolina-Senate-Bill-382-restricting-downzoning","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6750862-2ffd05f4eb636a0e3992ae761608403a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200413&Signature=GDoCvki3C~jMD9l9yDVwEhR~re3whyr~gmiPxzuXgx0BAxs9J3Pe6BD9b6wZ0qd4ZODJsRfFT9s4Y21BCCIWp0PXfmk-CqB9NanZjvCvm0rMFS6FypAJY9aeGNvv2UWrlvLSv1jipZaIKjA7h6iDJBMPMiJ3op4hf0GOIhXW86q~TqZLiqxlnSo-Wro8jAGZlL3CpEbj~OqMqSSEJfjEHlUdtWllLV~miayk-fuPo9SdG1wg67eEqRbb1Skeiu2f8r8fO3VvU9xuSD6dZCtoSDPh9j49ns~YnX7TnX~Tb44D6bryi7YXH67qz4clcP-QwfflYK8nbDw9fZ1KJuiWiA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chatham County planning staff presented an overview of North Carolina Senate Bill 382 and its effects on the county's newly adopted Unified Development Ordinance at the Jan. 21 meeting, and asked the Board of Commissioners for direction on how to proceed with zoning‑map drafting and implementation.

Chance Mullis, a planning staff member, told the board SB 382's late-session language added a restrictive down‑zoning provision that limits local governments' ability to adopt downzonings without written consent from all impacted property owners and has a 180‑day retroactive clause. \"It really just restricts local government's discretion to amend local zoning ordinances,\" Mullis said, summarizing the new language.

Staff explained the change could affect a wide range of UDO provisions — not just map changes. Examples cited included the county's watershed density options, use tables (permitted principal/accessory uses), building‑design and addition standards, landscaping and screening standards, and sign provisions. Because the statute could treat many reductions in permitted intensity as a down‑zoning, staff said the county may need to review the entire UDO to identify provisions that would have to be revised to remain in compliance.

Mullis and consultants advised that some jurisdictions have found SB 382's retroactive element has already voided rezoning approvals adopted before the bill's effective date, creating urgent legal and implementation issues for local governments that enacted UDO changes earlier. Staff told the board they have been monitoring guidance and legal analysis from the UNC School of Government, the North Carolina chapter of the American Planning Association and peer counties.

Given the breadth of potential changes and legal risk with retroactivity, staff recommended pausing county‑initiated rezonings and withholding final drafting of zoning maps until the General Assembly clarifies or amends the law. Commissioners discussed timing and policy priorities and repeatedly said they did not want staff to spend substantial time preparing documents that could prove unusable under the statute. The board signaled consensus to follow staff's recommendation to hold zoning‑map drafting and monitor legislative developments closely.

Staff will return with next steps once the county has clearer legislative direction; they also indicated they will continue limited technical work and stakeholder engagement where it will not create legal exposure.

Contacts: Chance Mullis, planning staff; county attorney (legal analysis).","Chatham County planning staff briefed commissioners on Senate Bill 382's new limits on downzoning and recommended pausing county‑initiated rezonings and zoning‑map preparation until the General Assembly clarifies or amends the law.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6750865,"Chatham County Q2 budget update: sales-tax slow-down offsets one-time FY24 permit spike; expenses generally on track",1428,22000,1450000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2135618-44f580e25454d7725f7ed1c5be7e154c&start=22&end=1450","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2135618-44f580e25454d7725f7ed1c5be7e154c/thumbnail_22000.jpg","/articles/6750865/Chatham-County/North-Carolina/Chatham-County-Q2-budget-update-sales-tax-slow-down-offsets-one-time-FY24-permit-spike-expenses-generally-on-track","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6750865-d26739d0929bc7b0cbc82d95dfd97a10/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200413&Signature=jvJiKHn3VrQBG0FdFRJkXu6bVAsVnceEh-vF8GA8VsnYkywTaYEJD60hkb0sA22TSf7cUyU8aO8kCepIDISrHbakaQH6T9bYYjGnqeE-C-w3A2ARKV~GJeayt08oFoM3LSR5WfmeTKvqNi9pouBC-JiX5fJNDiqPW62VpVNPKn4pgmXXQKG965gjnGN4qHvTBQyE3PKjlB0IK1KKkq2qb~GZGSXni1genIUscpMaDT9RecjFYh85jEzgp3rgVtDSvPIC7XA-j45dkXHQJeEg1u1io5e2clGxeWwa9l1ln9lRqmlVnq3O2dJ8wwz~DTMPRb6CyxGuD57MyCxhytwMmw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chatham County staff gave commissioners a second-quarter (July–December) fiscal-year 2025 budget update on Jan. 21, describing steady property-tax collections, recent improvements in capital outlays and a modest decline in sales-tax receipts compared with the unusually strong year in FY2024.

Daryl Butts, a county finance staff member, told the board the update is a high-level review and does not present line‑by‑line detail. “So, in this case, it's a second quarter update, which is the first six months of the fiscal year,” Butts said. He noted the presentation excludes certain volatile items such as interest revenue and year‑end transfers.

The presentation highlighted three main points: benefits spending looked high due to accounting timing of transfers to the county's self‑insurance fund; allocations and debt payments are driven largely by the Chatham County School System; and capital outlay spending has improved after a backlog of vehicle purchases and long delivery times following the pandemic. “We're finally off our backlog of vehicles from previous fiscal years,” Butts said, describing a turnaround from 9–12‑month waits to 1–2 months for many vehicle orders.

On revenues, staff said ad valorem (property) taxes are concentrated in November through January; by the end of December property‑tax receipts were already above the midyear point typically expected. By contrast, sales tax collections through the period represented roughly a third of the annual budget and were about $67,000 behind where they were at the same point last year. Staff attributed part of FY24's unusually high collections to one‑time industrial permitting and inspection activity tied to Wolfspeed, and cautioned that FY25 appears to be returning toward more normal, slower growth.

Staff reiterated that Article 46 (earmarked sales‑tax revenue) was budgeted at $3.2 million for FY25 and, through four months of collections, was on pace to meet that budget though modestly behind last year. Butts said staff would recommend a budget amendment if Article 46 collections exceed the adopted amount.

Commissioners asked several technical questions — about transfers in/out, accounting for leases under GASB 87, and the composition of intergovernmental and miscellaneous revenue categories — and staff provided clarifications about accounting timing, the recent GASB lease reporting change and the components of intergovernmental receipts. The board took no formal action on the budget update; staff said they will return with additional detail as needed.

Looking ahead, staff noted January collections will be an important data point for finalizing revenue performance for the fiscal year to date and recommended continued monitoring of sales‑tax trends and development‑related revenues.

Staff contact: Daryl Butts, county finance staff.","Chatham County staff gave commissioners a second-quarter (July–December) fiscal-year 2025 budget update on Jan. 21, describing steady property‑tax collections, improved capital outlays and a modest decline in sales‑tax receipts compared with an anomalously strong FY24.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6750859,"Chatham County awards $150,000 to Rebuilding Together Triangle from Housing Trust Fund, approves $10,000 for outreach and opens second round",1679,1561000,3240000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2135618-44f580e25454d7725f7ed1c5be7e154c&start=1561&end=3240","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2135618-44f580e25454d7725f7ed1c5be7e154c/thumbnail_1561000.jpg","/articles/6750859/Chatham-County/North-Carolina/Chatham-County-awards-150000-to-Rebuilding-Together-Triangle-from-Housing-Trust-Fund-approves-10000-for-outreach-and-opens-second-round","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6750859-671631f0939e0338a1e1dea4e02c6f32/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200413&Signature=oChrXkb4vBTu-98HWPuIQKVW2UmMabAZphvvFTA-aD7EgDLreq5QdzKMmaZ~wEGb2aOzpthD5bNJaCRaU-r1IN3oAIm3BR19iiziXNyQT8ZUue7PrQy~IhUKk9pgXlKao2PVNRHMIgCXCuVfL76VUP~ydZUYekPhA3EXG~Ysdw5hYpTC5KdAXH3RN3XxFI~4V42IvZcGo8eR2n15nSsNfjmfQBI8HK8KTJhng-n9~lOpIyiWJFyzUqANtSlqgJkhSeOHtVyQVOn0YdmkIS-8iSJkQbdkm9cuRwR2oDy8jIOwDMzzifh9Lom~SeCt~j2Gl-Oak-yPRzDXpcxR32O6fA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chatham County commissioners approved recommendations from the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) to allocate Housing Trust Fund dollars at the Jan. 21 meeting.

Jamie Andrews, the county's housing and community development officer, summarized the fund's purpose and history, noting it is supported by Article 46 sales tax revenue and that the fund has funded preservation and development projects that produced or preserved roughly 400 affordable housing units since creation in 2018. Tiffany Stuflick, chair of AHAC, described the committee's recommendation: a full $150,000 award to Rebuilding Together Triangle (RTT) and $10,000 for a strategic housing efforts account administered by AHAC for community engagement.

Tiffany Stuflick said RTT focuses on repairs and upgrades to existing owner‑occupied homes — often roofs and weatherization — to keep low‑income households, people with disabilities and veterans safely in place. \"They really focus primarily on upgrades and repairs to homes that are already built,\" Stuflick said, adding that RTT estimates the award would fund work for roughly 55 households over the next year to 18 months.

AHAC recommended awarding the full request, setting aside $10,000 for outreach (including a mobile‑home community survey and work with a Hispanic liaison in Siler City) and holding a second application round for the remaining approximately $140,000 so the committee can consider other applicants. Andrews said the second application round would be opened in early February and reviewed in March/April to meet fiscal‑year deadlines.

The board voted to approve the AHAC recommendations and to authorize staff to initiate a second application period and contracts in time to obligate FY25 funds.

Contact: Jamie Andrews, Housing and Community Development; Tiffany Stuflick, AHAC chair.","The Affordable Housing Advisory Committee recommended and the board approved a $150,000 award to Rebuilding Together Triangle for home repairs and preservation, allocated $10,000 for AHAC strategic outreach (mobile‑home community assessment), and authorized a second application period to distribute remaining funds.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6750850,"Chatham County adopts resolution honoring 72 employees who assisted Western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene",159,2689000,2848000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2135618-44f580e25454d7725f7ed1c5be7e154c&start=2689&end=2848","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2135618-44f580e25454d7725f7ed1c5be7e154c/thumbnail_2689000.jpg","/articles/6750850/Chatham-County/North-Carolina/Chatham-County-adopts-resolution-honoring-72-employees-who-assisted-Western-North-Carolina-after-Hurricane-Helene","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6750850-767e9bbb28454ecbd662fe3bfb9bb057/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200413&Signature=nCe2RoKoR8O3~EYArPsHljxNRGyxiZo1owQSZU8ST-RmYUQVG9BG0kWAP2R2Pr77z5216ce5438~s4eTrxtKlIJvMKWuQXmzaRVlT-aqXhPnXuEpLmIcdhkGMNefunwh3sXQts~F2Ppk6nQMwwWGNUlz61bpqfrwSARnJC9zFANhazODoD4ZfK-lubXNLsO4Gi9U31Ee7cSI5D4K7yWvVeMnBiXb7AMA4ybtVulxnEUXxYvGq11sNIKum4DwTVhpCWMy2PHOv5r8bRJnd2lFT3YYC~QxBhqtq~uYezDJD2-g0blVmETElxqbEr23xcgB4zQfkRZcokUTC2sXeTiB4w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chatham County commissioners adopted a resolution on Jan. 21 honoring 72 county employees who assisted Western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene.

The resolution, read into the record by the chair, noted the employees came from multiple county departments (emergency communications, emergency management, facilities, public health, social services, building inspections, agriculture, the convention center and soil and water conservation) and collectively contributed more than 1,200 hours to disaster response and recovery. The text cites immediate deployments to restore communications and 911 services, support for mass feeding operations and inspections to ensure safe food and water services.

Commissioners adopted the resolution by voice vote; the chair added a personal note of thanks, observed the community's continuing need for recovery support and commended staff for their work.

Contact: Board of Commissioners office (resolution dockets).","The board adopted a resolution recognizing 72 county employees who deployed to Western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene, noting collective hours contributed, support activities (911, mass feeding, inspections, well water testing) and a planned recognition at the employee appreciation luncheon.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Chatham County launches tax‑relief program for long‑term low‑income homeowners; board approves $200,000 rollout

Chatham County pauses UDO rezoning work after passage of North Carolina Senate Bill 382 restricting downzoning

Chatham County Q2 budget update: sales-tax slow-down offsets one-time FY24 permit spike; expenses generally on track

Chatham County awards $150,000 to Rebuilding Together Triangle from Housing Trust Fund, approves $10,000 for outreach and opens second round

Chatham County adopts resolution honoring 72 employees who assisted Western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene