Well if they do what Wake County did the mil rate will be adjusted for what they claim is revenue neutral. Mysteriously though they will get millions more money as Wake County did. Orange County should lower peoples taxes and cut their budget by 25 percent.

I lived in CA for many years - we had a great way of dealing with property taxes. When you bought a house the taxes were set based on what you paid - then, they could only go up 2% per year for as long as you owned the home! That way people can rely on their costs and when the next house sells the county gets more money due to the higher value. Of course it works the other way too, when a house sells for less than the taxes go down! It is FAIR. NC needs to have a similar law to protect folks - imagine if you bought a house 30 years ago and are now retired living on your social security - along comes Mr. Orange County appraiser/tax collector and says you home is worth $400,000 when you only paid $15,000 for it new. Now how are you gonna pay all those big new taxes? You can't, so you must sell your house and maybe even rent. Also, you have not required any additional governmental services so why should you have to pay any more taxes?

The peoples republic of Orange County bends the citizens over again.

If I were living in orange county I would shunt the property over to a church, and leave.

I thought the liberals in Orange County loved paying taxes? Oh - that is right - they just want other people to pay more taxes...

"I really cannot afford the $300-500 cost of an appraisal"

then pay up brother, the county is counting on folks like you!