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°"~'t ~ F;~E 5~U Chairman Walker stated that the Board had agreed to adopt an assessment ratio at this meeting. Discussion ensued. IIpon motion of Commissioner Ira A. Ward, seconded bq Commissioner Renrq S. Walker, it was moved that the County retain the 70~ assessment ratio. Commissioner Henrq S. Walker stated that the citizens who had contacted him about the matter were opposed to the increase in the tax assessment ratio and that he Pelt due to the fact of the re-valuation program that one major ohange at a time is enough for the tax pagers of the County. Commissioner Flora Garrett read the following statement: The Looa1 Government Study Commission has endorsed the repeal of the asaessmerit ratio. The Commission feels and I quote, "This practioe has outlived its usefulness and nerves only to confuse taxpayers and reduce protests of valuations." Tf the Bill introduced in the General Assembly be passed, 7anuarq 1, 1971} would be the effective date. In one gear, the issue may be a dead one. The Raleigh News & Observer stated after our neighbor Wake County went to 100 assessment rate that "this step will remove the camouflage and silly deception of imposing an unnecessarily high tax on only a portion of true property value." If the tax rate is cut the proportiate amount remains the same, the new tax formula will eauae no increase in actual taxes paid - real and personal property. Wake County has given their citizens a choice with the listing of persona], property. He can either list his personal household goads at 10~ of his house or apartment; or he can call the county and have an appraiser some out to assess all his personal property, including food and clothing. Wake County Tax Supervisor Lonnie Boat saga that most people choose the 10~ route. Its easier and usuallq cheaper. Personal property worth is vary hated to determine and judge by evergone. Because of the inequities and administrative difficulties in the taxing of personal propartg. The North Carolina Association of Assessing Officers in November, 1972 unanimously recommended that property of this nature be classified and excluded from the tax base. If personal property is to be taxed, maybe Wake Countg~s solution would eliminate some of the problems. Now there has been a lot said about the effect a 100 assessment ratio on certain taxes ~ Chapel Rill-Carrboro School Supplement, Recreation, Fire District and even the new bus levy. The 100 ratio can have no effect unless the governing body so desires Take the Chapel Rill-Carrboro School Supplement Tax. Though the Board of Education may submit a supplement currant expense budget of the maximum of ~~~ which has been approved bq the voters, the final authority rests solely with the Board oP County Commissioners! Each of the School Board moat prepare the supplement budget and each of the County Commissioners may approve or disapprove in part or totally. The 100 ratio changes nothing unless the Commissioners do want a change and this is almost meaningless angway now that the General Statutes have been changed allowing supplement ou line item current expense funds, The Chapel Hi11 Board of Aldermen has the same perrogative with the Recreation and Bua levg, In summary, the only reason I am pushing for the 100 ratio is tc simplify the proceedings and to let the tax payers know exactly preaiselg what value the county has placed on his property. If the complaints do mutiply, maybe we all asn learn something. I, for one, do not mind being inconvenienced far the sake of clarity and a greater understanding bg the people of Orange County. Commissioner Richard E. Whitted stated that he was in favor of increasing -. the assessment ratio in order to simplify the matter of tax value to the tax payer and that he felt the 100 assessment ratio would clarify the situation. Chairman Norman Walker stated that ha concurred with Commissioners Garrett and Whitted, however, he felt that the special district tax should be adjusted downward for the benefit of those in the special tax districts.