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i~~ 3 benefits of implementing a,l/2 cent sales tax far outweigh any economic, social or political costs. The maximum potential revenues to be realized in fiscal year 198-85 would total ~1 883,000. Of this total the chamber recommends that ~973,0~0 or 80~ of the county's portion of the total be committee to funding the capital improvement needs of the.Chapel Hill-Carrboro and Orange County schools. This amount rs twice the amount mandated by law. T e t vn f Chape Hi and Carrboro would receive a maximpr~ o- ~4~~ ~0$ and S 30, 0 respectively in fiscal 1483-84 if the safe tax option is exercised. The chamber recommends that these funds be committed entirelX to capital improvements. The chamber further recommences thhat the two municipalities apply for permzssian to retain lOb~ of the proc~eas of the new sales tax and, if necessar , that same portion of those funds be•used to meet part of ~he cast of extendin water and sewer lines within the planning jurisdictions of each town. The chamber urges each local government and the two school boards to update their capital improvement programs as being a model which might be emulated. The full re ort of the chamber or the 1/2 sales tax provides the basis ~or these recommendations. It contains numerous findinos and other recommendations of importance. (The entire report~is on file in the Clerk's office). The Chamber of Commerce endorsed the one half cent sales tax to meet the needs of the two school systems in Orange County with 80$ designated for school capital improvements and 20g to meet County capital needs. They endorsed a pay-as-you'go plan as long as it is reasonable and practical to do so. Dr. Ted Parrish, Chairman of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro School Board, referred to the capital needs task force report and read the resolution passed by the Board: BE IT RESOLVED that the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Board of Education requests the Orange County Commissioners to implement by resolution as soon as possible the l/2 cent local option sales tax. Be it further resolved that the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Board of Education urges the Orange County Commissioners to dedicate for school capital expenditures far the immediate futcfe 100 of the county's share of the 1/2 cent local option sales tax. Max Kennedy, Chairman of the Orange County Board of Education, referrec to the capital needs task force report. The Orange County Board of Education unanimously endorses the enactment of the sales tax and noted that if 100 were appropriated for the school needs, it would still not meet the needs of the school system. Lindsey Efland, member of the Orange County board of Education and member of the Capital Needs Task Force, supported the one half cent sales tax. He noted that there are documented needs within the system that will require additional funds than what the one half cent sales tax will generate. The Board will be reviewing the capital needs task force report to see if there is any way to reduce the needs for capital dollars. He requested the Board of Commissioners to act favorably on the sales tax as soon as possible so that the needs can be met pn a pay-as-you-go basis. Bonnie Knoke, Chairman of the education committee and the League of Women Voters in Chapel Hill reemphasized that the Orange County Board of Commissioners have a responsibility to fund the identified capital needs of the schools, and supported the one half sales tax with the greatest possible percentage going to the schools. The League of Women Voters also supported a 8-9 bond issue to immediately fund construction projects. Alva Perkins, concerned parent in the Orange County School System, supported the sales tax with 1D0~ going to schools.