Minutes 06-15-2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

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the Board to be specific about the time period that this tax would be in effect. He said that it should take care of immediate needs. He said that if it were used for economic development, it could help keep the property tax rate down in the future and would create more sales tax revenue. Will Raymond is a resident of Chapel Hill. He said that he has been watching the budget process. He commended the Board for making some tough cuts. He hopes that some of the local leadership can take a lesson from that. He said that he is not against the 1%-cent tax, but he thinks that there are some questions that must be answered before this is implemented. He asked how the money would be spent. Debt is reduction is very attractive. He also suggested human services. He said that the 1%-cent would affect the people who are struggling the most and that is why human services is an attractive place to put the money. He said that $2.4 million would not go very far in economic development or the school systems. He said that the bulk of this new revenue will come from the municipalities, but he understands that the municipalities will not directly share in this revenue. He suggested that the municipalities get at least some of the money. Aaron Nelson is President of the Chapel Hill Chamber of Commerce and said that his board will meet on Thursday to discuss whether to support this, but their Executive Committee has met and he has talked to business owners that are not in favor of this. He said that it would take a concerted effort to get voters to vote for this. He said that his board is open to this. Commissioner Hemminger said that she is in favor of putting this on the ballot, but she would rather have input from the public as to how to use these funds. She would like to engage the community. She would like to delay deciding how to use the funds until the staff has time to hear from different groups. Commissioner Nelson said that he is not a big fan of the sales tax, but he is willing to put this on a ballot. He would feel more comfortable with this if they used the revenue for economic development and debt service. Commissioner Yuhasz said that he believes the County needs this tax as another source of revenue and should commit to spending it on specific things, especially economic development and debt service. Commissioner Pelissier said that she supports putting this on the ballot. She would like a consensus that the Board of County Commissioners would want a portion of this to go to economic development. Commissioner Jacobs said that this is the second year in a row that the County did not raise the property tax rate. He said that this is one of the options the County has to replace raising taxes. He agrees with using this money for capital debt (schools and County), economic development, and libraries. Commissioner Gordon said that this is one of the options the State gave the County as part of the Medicaid swap. She is in support of putting this on the ballot and doing a neutral education campaign. She agrees with using the money for economic development, libraries, and schools, especially older school facilities. Chair Foushee said that she pledged her support for debt service and economic development. She agreed with Commissioner Hemminger about hearing more from the public on how to use the funds. A motion was made by Commissioner Hemminger, seconded by Commissioner Pelissier to: - Approve the Resolution Calling for a November 2, 2010 Special Advisory Referendum Concerning the Levy of a One-Quarter Cent County Sales and use