Orange County's monthly source for in-depth information about activities, programs, events, and more.
VIBRANT ECONOMY l EFFECTIVE REFLECTIVE GOVERNMENT l SUSTAINABLE LAND USE
INSIGHT
Shelter Pet Adoption and Donation Month Page 2 Tax Bill Information Pages 5 - 8
Fire Prevention Tips Pages 9 - 10 Cybersecurity Awareness
Month Page 12
Booster Park Renovation Page 15
OCTOBER 2022
Page | October, 2022
Team Orange,
Who is the intended audience for Orange County Insight? Well, that would be YOU! We intend this publication to serve as part of our Orange County employee communications (internal) as well as Orange County resident communications (external). Accordingly, we try to strike a balance between need - to - know information for employees (such as benefits and training) and for residents (services, programs). We also include many “ nice to know ” items for both audiences that showcase living in our wonderful community. We hope it is useful and informative for you whatever your connection to Orange County! For our employees, we are on a journey to develop an organizational culture that supports us and makes our time at work a positive experience as much as possible. This in turn fosters excellent work, which has a constructive impact on our community. For our residents, I want you to know that we are on this journey with you in mind! If you see an Orange County employee doing something noteworthy, please let them know. And if you see something that we could do a little better or differently, please let me know. Open communications is at the heart of a good organizational culture. To that end, I ’ ll be starting my “ brown bag lunch ” tour of departments next month to hear what ’ s on employee ’ s minds. Please check in with your supervisor to make sure I ’ m scheduled for your department. I look forward to hearing about what you are doing to make sure Orange County exemplifies Effective Reflective Government!
Subscribe to the “ Orange County Insight ”
We ’ re Here For You
Orange County Administration
Physical Address 112 W. Main Street Orange, VA 22960 Mailing Address P.O. Box 111 Orange, VA 22960
Subscribe to Orange County News & Alerts
Phone: (540) 672 - 3313
Fax: (540) 672 - 1679
newsletter@orangecountyva.gov
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orangecountyva.gov
Page | October, 2022 Page 1 | October, 2022
ADOPT A SHELTER PET
October is Adopt a Shelter Pet Month!
Now is the perfect time to help shelter pets find their furever home! If you are unable to adopt, consider supporting the Animal Shelter with a monetary or in - kind donation. You can view pets that are available to adopt on Petfinder. Remember to fill out a pre - adoption application.
Wish List
Bleach/laundry detergent
•
Clumping cat litter
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Canned dog/cat food
•
Frontline for cats/ dogs
•
Sponges
•
Peanut Butter
•
Dog/cat toys
•
Dog/cat treats
•
Dog leashes
•
DONATE HERE!
Martingale collars
•
Newspaper
•
Page 2 | October, 2022
Cardboard flats
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Litter Control Presents to PHMS Students
By: Michelle Williams, Litter Control Committee Coordinator
With the help of Orange County Public Schools ’ new Community Liaison, Ellen Pitera, the Orange County Litter Control Committee (OCLCC) and the Department of Public Works connected with middle school students at Prospect Heights to educate them about the County ’ s Landfill and to help them understand why recycling is worthwhile. During the first period classes on October 5th and 6th, Ryan Dewyea, Public Works Director, and Michelle Williams, OCLCC Coordinator, met with sixth, seventh, and eighth graders from Benjamin Self ’ s Community & Leadership class. This elective class helps students learn about their community and gives them opportunities of how to get involved. Mr. Dewyea and Ms. Williams debuted two (2) new short videos titled Our Landfill: Not Just a Hole in the Ground and Recycling in Orange County , presented a PowerPoint presentation on recycling, and spoke on the efforts of the OCLCC. Ms. Williams shared with the students and Mr. Self
about the upcoming Hazardous Waste Disposal Event and other County sponsored recycling events such as Tire Amnesty Voucher Disposal and E - Recycling. She also reported on new recycling programs for empty and expired fire extinguishers and ink cartridges. Mr. Self and the students asked questions such as what certain recycling symbols meant, what happens when a cell is filled at the Landfill, what are some ways to reuse items, and what kinds of careers one could
have in the Orange County Local Government organization. When mentioned by Mr. Self, interest was shown by students in organizing a small - scale electronic recycling collection within Prospect Heights Middle School next spring to coincide with the County ’ s E - Recycling Event. Mr. Dewyea and Ms. Williams were honored to have been asked to speak to the middle school students who gave them a big round of applause at the end of their presentation. If you ’ re interested in a presentation for your class or civic group, please contact Michelle Williams, OCLCC Coordinator, at (540) 661 - 5405 or mlwilliams@orangecountyva.gov.
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Personal Property Taxes Frequently Asked Questions
Call the Treasurer ’ s Office if you have any questions regarding payments or payment plans at (540) 672 - 2656.
If your tax bill has delinquencies highlighted in yellow, that amount has been turned over to a collections agency. Please call Taxing Authority Consulting Services, P.C. at (804) 545 - 2500 to make a payment agreement or pay in full before we can take the current amount due. Call the Commissioner of the Revenue ’ s Office for questions regarding the assessment (valuation), items listed on the bill, items missing, or if you need an address change at (540) 672 - 4441.
Q.
Can I make a payment agreement? Q.
Q.
How do I remove an item on my tax bill?
Can I write one check for multiple bills?
Yes, we will make a payment agreement with you. Just know that agreements do not eliminate the penalty or interest on the balance that is owed after the due date. It does however eliminate the collections actions such as tax liens and DMV stop. It will not eliminate the withholding of the state refund. A.
Can I prepay my taxes? Q. Yes, you can prepay your taxes and as much as you would like. You would send payment in stating it is a prepayment for either Personal Property or Real Estate taxes. If you are prepaying Personal Property, please indicate the PPID from your prior year ’ s bill. Just know that the Treasurer ’ s Office will not know how much your bill will be until they are loaded into the system by the Commissioner of the Revenue ’ s Office. A. the calendar year on the tax bill. If you owned it January 1, then you would pay for the whole year, we do not pro - rate. If you purchased a vehicle after January 1 of the calendar year, then you would not be taxed on that item until the next billing cycle. If you did have a vehicle as of January 1 and it is not listed or if there is an item listed on your bill and you disposed of it before January 1 of the calendar year, please call the Commissioner of Revenue ’ s Office at (540) 672 - 4441 to discuss. A. First, County assesses what is registered with DMV as of January 1 of Orange
Yes, you can but we ask you enclose all stubs in the check to ensure that the payment is properly applied.
A.
Q.
Do you accept postmark for on time payments? Yes, we do. Please be aware that we must legally go by the postmark the post office stamps on the bill. To help
ensure that the envelope is postmarked by the due date, please mail early. If you are waiting until a few days before the due date, please hand deliver the envelope to the post office and have them hand stamp it. A.
Q.
Why does the top of my bill have one address and the bottom have another?
Bills are ran through the National Change of Address system with the post office, if there is a new address on file, the top portion of the bill is changed and mailed to that address. This is a requirement of the post office. The bottom portion of the bill reflects the address that is in the County ’ s system. For your address to be changed, please fill out the back of the stub and return it with payment. The Treasurer ’ s Office will forward the change to the Commissioner of the Revenue ’ s Office or you can contact the Commissioner directly at (540) 672 - 4441. A.
Q.
Why have I not received my bill?
Call the Treasurer's Office at (540) 672 - 2656 and we can print another bill and mail it out. You can always check the website for the amounts due and to pay. Once the bills are uploaded to the system by the Commissioner of the Revenue ’ s Office, the Treasurer ’ s Office aims to mail the bills at least 30 days prior to the due date. Once bills are mailed, we issue a press release, post on the County ’ s social media sites, website and/or local newspaper. You can also receive alerts by signing up on the County ’ s website at www.orangecountyva.gov. A.
For issues with items circled in yellow:
For issues with items circled in green:
Contact the Treasurer's Office at (540) 672 - 2656.
Contact the Commissioner of the Revenue ’ s Office at (540) 672 - 4441.
Page 5 | October, 2022
SAMPLE BILL
Your Name
Your Address
Your Name
Your Address
Page 6 | October, 2022
Real Estate Taxes Frequently Asked Questions
Call the Treasurer ’ s Office if you have any questions regarding payments or payment plans at (540) 672 - 2656.
If your tax bill has delinquencies highlighted in yellow, that amount has been turned over to a collections agency. Please call Taxing Authority Consulting Services, P.C. at (804) 545 - 2500 to make a payment agreement or pay in full before we can take the current amount due. Call the Commissioner of the Revenue ’ s Office for questions regarding the assessment (valuation), items listed on the bill, items missing, or if you need an address change at (540) 672 - 4441.
Can I prepay my taxes? Q. Yes, you can prepay your taxes and as much as you would like. You would send payment in stating it is a prepayment for either Personal Property or Real Estate taxes. If you are prepaying the Real Estate taxes, please enclose the map/parcel number on your tax bill. Just know that the Treasurer ’ s Office will not know how much your bill will be until they are loaded into the system by the Commissioner of the Revenue ’ s Office. A.
Q.
Q.
Why don ’ t I have a Mortgage Code in the box?
Can I write one check for multiple bills?
Yes, you can but we ask you enclose all stubs in the check to ensure that the payment is properly applied.
A.
Some mortgage companies do not request the tax bill(s) but they still pay them by the
A.
Q.
payment file or looking the parcels up online. If your mortgage company is supposed to pay the bill, it is always good to double check with them. You can always check online to see if we have processed the payment or call the Treasurer's Office to verify if we have received payment. Most mortgage companies and/or tax services send payment about a week prior to the due date if not sooner.
What are improvements? I didn ’ t add anything to my property.
A.
Improvements are anything on the property other than the land such as well, septic, buildings, and/or house.
Q.
Why does the top of my bill have one address and the bottom have another?
Q.
Why have I not received my bill?
Bills are ran through the National Change of Address system with the post office, if there is a new address on file, the top portion of the bill is changed and mailed to that address. This is a requirement of the post office. The bottom portion of the bill reflects the address that is in the County ’ s system. For your address to be changed, please fill out the back of the stub and return it with payment. The Treasurer ’ s Office will forward the change to the Commissioner of the Revenue ’ s Office or you can contact the Commissioner directly at (540) 672 - 4441. A.
Call the Treasurer's Office at (540) 672 - 2656 and we can print another bill and mail it out. You can always check the website for the amounts due and to pay. Once the bills are uploaded to the system by the Commissioner of the Revenue ’ s Office, the Treasurer ’ s Office aims to mail the bills at least 30 days prior to the due date. Once bills are mailed, we issue a press release, post on the County ’ s social media sites, website and/or local newspaper. You can also receive alerts by signing up on the County ’ s website at www.orangecountyva.gov. A.
Don ’ t Forget!
Personal Property and Real Estate Taxes are due December 5, 2022!
For issues with items circled in yellow: Contact the Treasurer's Office at (540) 672 - 2656.
For issues with items circled in green: Contact the Commissioner of the Revenue ’ s Office at (540) 672 - 4441.
Page 7 | October, 2022
SAMPLE BILL
Your Name
Your Address
Your Name
Your Address
Page 8 | October, 2022
FIRE WON ’ T WAIT. PLAN YOUR ESCAPE.
By: Orange County Communications Department
This year is the 100th anniversary of Fire Prevention Week. One way our local department assists citizens in fire escape planning by bringing the fire safety house to community events across the county. The safety house can be safely filled with smoke and occupants can crawl to safety. Additionally, the safety house offers simulated 911 calls and smoke detector activation. This simulation is very important for youth to know what to do in emergencies. Assistant Chief and Fire Marshal, Mike Throckmorton said, “ Increasingly, people are dying at home in a fire. Seventy - four percent of fires are occurring in the home and are more likely to be serious than in previous years. ” Throckmorton also noted that most fires are accidental either due to human error, equipment malfunction, or not maintaining appliances. The tips below will help you be prepared in the event of a fire.
Make sure your home escape plan meets the needs of all your family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.
Smoke alarms should be installed inside every sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of your home. Smoke alarms should be interconnected so when one sounds, they all sound.
Know at least two (2) ways out of every room, if possible. Make sure all doors and windows open easily.
Have an outside meeting place a safe distance from your home where everyone should meet.
Practice your home fire drill at least twice a year with everyone in the household, including guests. Practice at least once during the day and at night.
For more fire safety information, check out the State Fire Marshal ’ s website as well as the National Fire Protection Association website.
Pictured are images from the Fire Safety House at community events.
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Save the Date! Registration Opens Early October.
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Booster Park Playground Renovation
By: Orange County Parks and Recreation
In April 2021, the Board of Supervisors approved a Booster Park Playground Renovation Project as part of the FY22 Capital Improvement Projects Plan. Orange County Parks and Recreation (OCPR) immediately began soliciting bids from playground equipment companies. Site Concept ’ s design with Miracle Recreation equipment was selected and the purchase order placed in October of 2021. And then the wait began ….
Page 13 | October, 2022 This project marks the second playground upgrade in the past couple of years. Barboursville Community Park playground was renovated in the Spring of 2021 and is seeing increase usage. OCPR is looking forward to the same results for Booster Park. comments, “ This has been a long project and it ’ s great to finally see it come into fruition. The two (2) large playground structures and the toddler swings remain. We replaced a couple of other smaller pieces while adding two (2) climbing stations. One of the most significant, and most requested, changes is the addition of four (4) swing bays with eight (8) new belt swings for bigger kids. The borders have also been adjusted to make one (1) large, mulched surface as opposed to two (2) smaller, separate ones. ” Supply chain issues wreaked havoc on the project. The initial estimate for delivery was for early February, with the hopes of having it installed before Spring soccer started. It was then pushed to June, with hopes of it being installed before Playin ’ in the Park. Then it was pushed to August, with the hopes of getting it installed before Fall soccer. Finally, in mid - September, OCPR received confirmation that the equipment had been delivered to the installer. After being out of service for less than two (2) weeks, Booster Park playground re - opened on Thursday, October 6. OCPR Director, Tim Moubray,
Orange County Announces New Communications Specialist Orange County is pleased to announce that the role of Communications Specialist has been filled by current staff member Kelly Carr.
Kelly Carr joined Orange County in February 2019, as 4 - H Educator. Since then, she has created and grown various programs. Ms. Carr received her Bachelor of Science from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in the fall of 2018. During her tenure with Orange County, Ms. Carr created the “ In A Bag ” program where youth were encouraged to get in the kitchen with their families and work on new life skills, she doubled the in school Embryology program while partnering with county schools and created engaging and on brand materials.
Her previous role focused on event and program development as well as youth and family education. As an informal educator, she has a broad range of skills including promotion, communication, and outreach that will be key in her new role. Ms. Carr is excited to adapt these skills to the broader scope of County - wide functions. "I am so excited to welcome Kelly to the Communications Team! I look forward to working with her and expanding our reach into the community," noted Stephanie Straub, Assistant County Administrator for Operations.
For more information, contact Kelly Carr at kcarr@orangecountyva.gov.
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secure.rec1.com/VA/orange - county - va/.
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Custodian Appreciation Day was celebrated on October 3rd! Thank to all who came out to celebrate our custodians!
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SEE YOURSELF IN CYBER CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS MONTH
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Protecting yourself from online threats to technology and confidential data are more commonplace than before. It is important to stay cyber secure both at work and at home, to avoid cyber - attacks.
Orange has implemented multiple layers of protection at the local, state, and federal level to help keep employees secure. Additionally, critical services such as voting technologies, are held to even higher standards that the County ’ s day to day operations. In 2020, the Virginia State Board of Elections put into place new elections cyber security and physical security requirements to combat against potential threats, of which Orange County complies. County ’ s IT Department
To remain vigilant of new hacking schemes, four times a year, County employees participate in cyber security training through KnowBe4. In this training, staff work on their security knowledge and culture to become more aware of network security. Director of Information Technology, Larry Clement, says, "Taking time to set up multi - factor authentication is one of the best ways to protect yourself." This process grants a user access to a website or application only after successfully presenting two (2) or more pieces of evidence to an authentication mechanism. Be sure to take extra steps to keep yourself secure.
FOR MORE INOFORMATION, VISIT
Orange County Website
Stop, Think, Connect
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Page 20 | October, 2022 https://secure.rec1.com/VA/orange - county - va/.
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Good Times Ahead! Mark Your Calendar for these Upcoming Community Events!
House of Phantom: Starts Thursday, October 13, 2022
House of Phantom will debut this October at The Holladay House in Orange. This truly immersive experience will leave victims in awe.
For additional details, visit: www.theholladayhouseinn.com.
Downtown Trick or Treat: Monday, October 31, 2022
4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Free! East and West Main Street, Orange.
For additional details, visit: www.townoforangeva.org.
Montpelier Hunt Races: Saturday, November 5, 2022
Enjoy the 87th running of the Montpelier Hunt Races! Activities for the whole family begin with terrier races, and end with seven (7) exciting horse races.
For additional details, visit: www.montpelierraces.org.
Gordonsville Veteran ’ s Day Parade: Saturday, November 12, 2022
On the second Saturday in November, veterans are honored at the Gordonsville Annual Veteran's Parade. Photography Credit: Sandy James
For additional details, visit: www.townofgordonsville.org.
Liberty Mills Farm Corn Maze: Through Sunday, November 13, 2022
Largest Corn Maze in the U.S.! The theme this year, “ The Places You ’ ll Go. ”
For additional details, visit: https://www.libertymillsfarm.
Turkey Toss: Saturday, November 19, 2022
Orange County Parks and Recreation is hosting a specialty doubles disc gold tournament at the Orange County Disc Golf Course.
For additional details, visit: secure.rec1.com/VA/orange - county - va/.
Learn more about these and other events at: www.visitorangevirginia.com
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Job Fair Success By: Orange County Department of Economic Development
Virginia Career Works Orange Center and Orange Economic Development hosted a job fair on Tuesday, September 20 from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at the Orange Visitor Center & Train Depot where over 50 individuals attended and 16 businesses participated. Attendees and businesses were able to network amongst one another and discuss available employment opportunities. Job seekers were dressed for success with resumes in hand and businesses provided display tables with literature, promotional items, and hands on displays representative of their company ’ s products and services. Rose Deal, Economic Development Director shared “ It was great to see so many jobseekers come out! This was the greatest number of jobseekers we have seen at an Orange County hiring event since pre - COVID. Employers and jobseekers alike, seemed generally pleased with the event and we received a lot of great feedback. ”
Virginia Career Works has offices in Culpeper and Orange and provides free assistance with resume and cover letter writing, job search, interview prep, career exploration, as well as career training programs. The Orange Career
Works office is located at 127 Belleview Avenue in downtown Orange and is open Tuesday through Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more information visit vcwpiedmont.com or call (540) 661 - 3419.
2022 Ordinary Awards
Huge Congratulations to The Market at Grelen for being nominated as a finalist for the Ordinary Award as Travel Attraction of the Year with Virginia Restaurant, Lodging & Travel Association ! The Ordinary Awards celebrate and honor all of Virginia ’ s restaurants, lodging establishments and hotels, DMOs, attractions, and more. The true goal of these awards is to honor those in our industry, be they individuals or companies, and show how extraordinary they truly are!
2022 Locally Made Market
The Montpelier Hunt Races on November 5 are right around the corner! Make sure to keep an eye out for our selected vendors who will participate in the 2nd Annual Locally Made Market at the Montpelier Hunt Races . Congratulations Toadstool, Bound2Please Books , and The Great Maier Mercantile ! Be sure to stop by their tent on race day and check out their amazing
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4 - H Youth Program Educator Airport Operations Manager Assistant Commonwealth Attorney Business Systems Analyst
Child Care Lead Teacher – LES Child Care Teacher – GBES Child Care Teacher Assistant - OES
Collection Site Attendant Grant Program Manager
Child Care Site Manager - GBES Deputy Sheriff - Animal Control Deputy Sheriff - Court Security Deputy Sheriff - School Resource Officer Emergency Communications Center Supervisor Firefighter / Medic Senior Maintenance Technician Veterinary Technician Wellness Program Manager Zoning Specialist / Planning Commission Secretary
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Orange County Public Schools Calendar 2022 - 2023
Link to Calendar
Page 30 | October, 2022
INSIGHT Please subscribe to our newsletter by clicking this link. You will receive each issue in your email every month.
Be sure to add newsletter@orangecountyva.gov to your contacts so it does not go to your junk folder.
Page 31 | October, 2022
Citizens Ask...
Q: I took my trash to the Landfill and was told the Hazardous Waste Disposal Event was happening. How do I find out about these types of events? A: To be notified of special disposal events, sign up for news notifications (County News & Press Releases) and calendar alerts on the County ’ s website at https://orangecountyva.gov/list.aspx, follow the County ’ s Facebook page, County of Orange, Virginia – Local Government , and subscribe to receive the Orange County Insight each month by email.
Q: Why do I get the County Administrator ’ s Office when I call this other number?
A: If you called another department ’ s number and received a voicemail telling you to dial an extension or press zero for the operator and you press zero, the County Administrator ’ s Office serves as the operator and will help you get to the department you wish to speak to.
Jonathan Krob
Get to know Orange County staff... The Personnel File:
Firefighter / EMT
Jonathan Krob has been employed by Orange County Fire and EMS for approximately a year and a half. He is known for his eagerness to learn and positive attitude.
Jonathan enjoys working in Orange because of the advanced medical protocols that give him the opportunity to use skills that may not be available in other larger departments. While on shift he enjoys cooking dinner for his shift mates and eating as a crew to build camaraderie. When Jonathan is not at work he enjoys skiing and traveling with friends.
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Orange County Communications Department 112 W. Main Street P.O. Box 111 Orange, VA 22960
POSTAL CUSTOMER
Meet Josie Josie loves to go on walks and loves being with people. Josie would love a home with a leisurely mindset. He doesn ’ t enjoy being outside for too long. No cats for him and he will need to meet any dog he may reside with as he is particular with who he likes. Josie is around six (6) years old, housebroken (just remember he will need to learn the potty schedule in a new home), and extra special because he is a Tripod and a very handsome one at that! Josie was previously neutered. We have brought him current on all vaccines, microchipped him, heartworm tested, and monthly preventatives started.
Josie ’ s full bio is available on Petfinder.
If interested, please go to the Orange County website and fill out the preadoption application and submit it by email to the Director at gjenkins@orangecountyva.gov.
Page 33 | October, 2022 Find your new best friend at The Orange County Animal Shelter
Visit us on Facebook Find Adoptable Pets (540) 672 - 1124 Directions: 11362 Porter Road Orange VA 22960
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