Agenda - 05-13-2010 - 2 - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: May 13, 2010 Action Agenda Item No. a SUBJECT: Triangle Transit Regional Half-Cent Sales Tax, Vehicle Registration Fee, and County Transit Plans DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen Lincoln, Transportation Planner, 245-2580 Craig Benedict, Planning Director, 245-2592 PURPOSE: To receive presentations by Orange County staff, Triangle Transit and Chapel Hill Transit regarding planning efforts to develop an Orange County Transit/Financial Plan. BACKGROUND: The North Carolina General Assembly approved a local option for counties in the Triangle region (Wake, Durham and Orange) to levy an additional half-cent sales tax to be used for regional transit, including local transit services in support of the regional service. This 'h cent local option is subject to approval by referendum (potentially in Fall 2011). The legislation also. allows the Board of Commissioners to impose a $10 vehicle registration fee in advance of the referendum. Funds from both options must be used according to a financial plan that must be approved in advance. Triangle Transit will also provide a $460,000 annual contribution from the regional rental car tax. The estimates of revenue have varied, but approximately $5 million has been projected from the 'h cent option and $1 million from the registration fee. There are primarily four aspects to the regional transit plans: 1. The local option revenue projections and financial scenarios; 2. Regional transit plans (Special Transit Advisory Commission recommendations, Metropolitan Planning Organizations' 2035 Long Range Transportation Plans); 3. Transit services operating programs; and 4. Transit Plans for each of the three counties in the Triangle Transit service area, which explain where and how the money will support public transit (light rail, expanded support for bus service, commuter rail, etc.). Triangle Transit, the two regional Metropolitan Planning Organizations and local officials in the Triangle have been meeting to review revenue projections and the best use of revenue collected to implement transit projects in the region. This information will be critical in gaining support for a transit sales tax, which is being coordinated through a Public Information Steering Committee. Planning & Inspections Director Craig .Benedict is a member of the Steering Committee. Regular updates will be brought forward to the BOCC.