Minutes 06-01-2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

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� Commissioner Jacobs verified that this would not include food and medicine and he asked that this be added to the resolution. Michael Talbert said that this tax would also not be shared with the towns. PUBLIC COMMENT: Will Raymond is a resident of Chapel Hill and said that it is understandable why Orange County is looking at this revenue, but a sales tax is a regressive tax. He said that Orange County is not New Hanover County, which has a much different tax situation, and the impact is going to mainly be on Orange County residents. He suggested that it be clearly identified where the revenue is going. He would like to see this money go to social services, above and beyond the current baseline of the Social Services budget. He said that the revenue from this will be very unpredictable and sensitive to economic conditions. He said to be sure to allocate to mend the harm this tax will create. He also suggested putting a time limit on this tax. Joe Phelps said that he agreed with Mr. Raymond and he asked if there would be more public hearings on this topic. Chair Foushee said that the County Commissioners have not had the opportunity to discuss this yet. Commissioner Hemminger asked when the Board would be having this discussion and Frank Clifton said that the primary concerns are education, County debt, and economic development. At this point, the revenue generated by this would be about $3 million a year. He said that it would be appropriate to designate a portion of the revenue to any of those things, including social services. Commissioner Hemminger asked that the Board discuss this before the break and Frank Clifton said that he could add it to the June 15th meeting. Commissioner Yuhasz said that he thinks the property tax is the regressive tax and the County has reached the limit of what it can ask from property owners. He said that this is an opportunity to spread the tax around to all of the citizens. He sees this as dedicated to County debt and economic development and he will support putting this on the ballot. Commissioner Pelissier said that she supported putting this on a referendum and she agrees with Commissioner Yuhasz. She said that the Board must vote on this at the June 15tn meeting if it is to put this on a referendum by August. Commissioner Jacobs said that he came prepared to vote on this tonight. The detailed discussions about where the money would go could happen later. He pointed out that citizens will be paying this tax, but residents will also be paying it, and not all residents pay property taxes. Chair Foushee said that she is in support of this, but she is not ready to vote on this tonight. A motion was made by Commissioner Yuhasz, seconded by Commissioner Hemminger to give another opportunity for more of the public to speak on this before voting and to bring this item back on June 15th for a vote. VOTE: UNANIMOUS 7. Reqular Aqenda a. Draft Comments — Proposed Falls Lake Nutrient Manaqement Rules The Board considered draft comments for submittal to the N.C. Environmental Management Commission on the proposed Falls Lake Nutrient Management Rules, which are to be presented for public comment this summer. Director of the Department of Environment, Agriculture, and Parks and Recreation Dave Stancil made a PowerPoint presentation.