Pittsboro, NC – Chatham County is seeking individuals to fill several vacancies on key advisory committees. Service on committees is a great way for interested residents to have a voice on issues of interest and make a difference in the community. Applicants must live in Chatham County. The deadline to submit applications to serve is Friday, February 11, 2022, at 5 p.m.
Some of the vacancies are assigned to specific areas of the county identified by county commissioner election districts located on the county website. Residents also can look up their commissioner district for their address on the NC State Board of Elections website.
An online application to serve on the committees can be found here. Applicants also may contact Lindsay Ray at lindsay.ray@chathamcountync.gov or 919-542-8302 to get a printed application.
NOTE: Most committees are currently meeting virtually but will resume in-person meetings when restrictions are lifted.
APPEARANCE COMMISSION: The Chatham County Appearance Commission has two vacant seats and seeks applicants for the open slots. They especially need members with expertise in plant knowledge, landscaping, and landscape design.
The Appearance Commission establishes and oversees programs to enhance the appearance of the county. The commission also reviews and comments on non-residential site plans for Business, Industrial, Conditional Zoning Districts, and Special Use Permits. It typically meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month in Pittsboro or virtually at 6 p.m.
The people appointed to fill both vacancies will serve an unexpired term ending on June 30, 2023, but would be eligible for reappointment for a full three-year term. All appointees must live in Chatham County.
More information about the Appearance Commission can be found on the county website.
BOARD OF HEALTH: The Chatham County Board of Health will have a vacancy in March 2022 that must be filled by a professional engineer who lives in the county. Applicants must have a current North Carolina engineering license, but they do not have to be actively practicing.
The Board of Health is the policymaking, rulemaking, and deliberative body for the Chatham County Public Health Department. The Board of Health’s responsibility is to protect and promote the health of the community and is a great way to make a difference.
The Board of Health will make a recommendation to the Board of Commissioners, who will appoint a professional engineer to serve the three-year term. The appointed engineer will be eligible to serve an additional three-year term once the first term expires.
Board of Health meetings are held the fourth Monday of each month, beginning at 6:00 p.m., with dinner provided and reimbursement for mileage. Meetings are not held in July and December.
Those with questions about serving on the Board of Health may call 919-545-8391. More information about the Board of Health can be found on the county website.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW ADVISORY COMMITTEE: Chatham County seeks applicants to fill two vacancies for its Environmental Review Advisory Committee (ERAC), which advises the Board of Commissioners on environmental policy and related county ordinances and serves on the Chatham County Watershed Review Board.
The Board of Commissioners especially seeks applicants with environmental expertise or interests.
One vacancy is for Commissioner District 5 and the second vacancy is for District 3. The people appointed would serve a partial term ending on June 30, 2023, but those appointed would be eligible for reappointment to a full three-year term. Anyone interested in the position should apply regardless of where they live in the county.
The ERAC typically meets six or more times a year on the second Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in the Pittsboro area. More information about the ERAC can be found on the county website.
BOARD OF EQUALIZATION AND REVIEW (Tax Review Board): Chatham County’s Board of Equalization and Review (BoER) has a vacant alternate seat. The BoER’s purpose is to hear and review property owners’ valuation appeals of their real estate and personal property.
The BoER’s important role is the second level of review. Staff-level reviews are the first level. The board must apply state laws in a consistent, uniform, and non-discriminatory manner so that all property owners receive a fair and impartial hearing.
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
Must be at least 18 years old;Have lived in Chatham County for at least two years prior to appointment;Owns real estate property in the county;Be knowledgeable about real estate matters; andHave good moral character.
If appointed by the Chatham County Board of Commissioners, the person appointed would serve until December 31, 2024. Members of the BoER receive a stipend of $15 per hour for their service, but the number and length of the meetings vary depending on the number of appeals filed. New members are required to attend a training session to understand their roles under state law and the appeals process.
Except for revaluation years, most meetings of the BoER are held in the spring, but a few may be held in the fall to hear appeals related to personal property.
Individuals with questions about the BoER and its role, may contact Jenny Williams at 919-545-8404. More information about the BoER also can be found on the county website.