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Work group hears equity analysis showing uneven property tax valuations in Orange County
Summary
Hudson Vaughan presented a 2025 equity analysis showing patterns the presenter described as inequitable land and property tax valuations, and members asked for more data and charts to understand statistical impacts. The presentation was not completed and will resume at a later meeting.
Hudson Vaughan presented a preliminary equity analysis of Orange County property tax valuations during the Orange County Tax Assessment Work Group meeting on Feb. 9, 2026, saying the 2025 review identified examples of inequitable land valuation and what the presenter characterized as "vertical regressivity" within some neighborhoods.
The presentation outlined the North Carolina Housing Coalition's background, data tools developed for identifying disparate valuations, tools to assist with appeals and relief, and specific land-valuation issues observed in the county's 2025 revaluation. Vaughan described the suite of analytic tools and examples from the revaluation process but did not complete the full presentation; notes indicate the presentation will continue at a later meeting.
Work group members praised the session as informative and requested more detailed visual data. Community Representative Kate Millard said she wanted to see comparative charts that distinguish commercial from residential revaluation processes to better understand the differing methodologies; Catlin Saunders said the presentation deepened her understanding of the work by Orange County Justice United and asked for more data to evaluate impacts. Commissioner Amy Fowler asked that members forward any additional topics of interest to County Manager Travis Myren for follow-up.
Why it matters: inequities in assessed values can affect tax burdens across neighborhoods and demographics and may change who successfully appeals assessments. Members emphasized the need for clearer charts and statistical summaries so the work group can consider potential remedies or procedural changes.
Next steps: the work group will resume Vaughan's presentation at a future meeting and requested more detailed charts and statistical output so members can assess the scale and distribution of the valuation disparities.
