Orange County commissioners affirmed their commitment Oct. 7 to creating a tax work group and to more frequent public briefings as residents and advocacy groups raised concerns about fairness in the 2025 property revaluation.

Why it matters: residents and the Justice United coalition urged the board to examine “vertical inequity” in the revaluation and to ensure low‑wealth neighborhoods are not systematically disadvantaged. Commissioners said the county must balance technical work with improved outreach so residents understand valuation changes and remedies.

What commissioners said: Commissioner Fowler told the board the county had committed to create a tax work group and would nominate residents that night. Commissioner Carter asked county staff to provide brief progress updates on the revaluation work at each business meeting so the board can share progress publicly. Commissioners Hamilton, McKee and others described attending community meetings and pledged to evaluate neighborhood‑level equity concerns, including a previously identified set of 171 neighborhoods.

Public engagement steps: Commissioner Portillo proposed — and McKee seconded — a petition to hold biannual community town halls beginning January 2026, to be hosted in different parts of the county and livestreamed. Commissioners said those events should help residents understand revaluation impacts, county services and available assistance programs.

Appointments and representation: later in the meeting the board appointed community representatives to district seats (two from District 1 and two from District 2) for advisory roles; the board named Neil Binch and Caitlin Saunders for District 1 and John Ferguson and Kate Millard for District 2 after nominations and votes at the Oct. 7 meeting. Commissioners said the board will use district‑based appointments and the upcoming tax work group to expand resident participation in reviewing valuation practices.

What’s next: the board requested recurring public updates either from the county manager or the tax office at business meetings, and asked staff to prepare the tax work group’s membership and charge in forthcoming agenda materials. Commissioners also encouraged staff to consider outreach strategies so residents understand appeal processes and available relief programs.