Orange County NC Website
2 <br /> At its June 15, 2010 meeting, the Board approved a resolution calling for a November 2, 2010 <br /> Special Advisory Referendum concerning the Levy of a One-Quarter Cent (114¢) County Sales <br /> and Use Tax. The approved resolution, which includes the ballot language, is provided at <br /> Attachment 1. The Board also instructed staff to schedule a Public Hearing for the Board's <br /> August 17, 2010 meeting to solicit comments from the public on potential uses for a One- <br /> Quarter Cent (114¢) County additional Sales and Use Tax. <br /> The Board held a public hearing on August 17, 2010 to solicit comments from the public on the <br /> possible uses for the One-Quarter Cent sales tax revenues. Ten speakers encouraged the <br /> Board to consider using the possible additional funding for Economic Development, Schools, <br /> and Public Safety. Two speakers were opposed to the additional one-quarter cent sales tax <br /> with one speaker stating he did not want any new taxes and the other speaker encouraging the <br /> Board to go for a '/2 cent sales tax instead of 1/4 cent (which is not authorized by current law). <br /> At a work session on August 19, 2010, the Board considered potential uses and formulated <br /> language for a resolution addressing the potential uses for consideration at the Board's <br /> September 2, 2010 regular meeting. <br /> On September 2, 2010 the Board approved the resolution provided at Attachment 2 to <br /> document the intended uses of the revenues from a prospective One-Quarter Cent (114¢) <br /> County additional Sales and Use Tax. Outlined in the resolution is the Board's 5 year <br /> commitment to allocate funds to specific uses. <br /> The North Carolina Association of county commissioners recommends that counties undertake <br /> a public education campaign to educate voters. County staff envisions any education initiative <br /> to be similar to those the County has undertaken for past voter approved bond referenda. The <br /> Board approved an amount not to exceed $40,000 for a public education campaign for the <br /> November 2, 2010 referendum. <br /> If a majority of voters approve the Article 46 sales tax referendum, the Board will be required to <br /> give ten (10) days public notice of the Board's intent to levy the tax. The Board would then hold <br /> a required public hearing and consider a new resolution to actually levy the tax. The Board <br /> must adopt that additional resolution in order for the tax to take effect. <br /> If the voters of Orange County approve the Special Advisory Referendum on November 2, 2010 <br /> and the Board approves a resolution to levy the tax before December 31, 2010, the new One- <br /> Quarter Cent (114¢) County Sales and Use Tax could begin on April 1, 2011. <br /> FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with discussing the referendum <br /> on a One-Quarter cent (114¢) County additional Sales and Use Tax. Approval and <br /> implementation of the sales tax and receipt and allocation of resulting funds would have <br /> financial impacts. <br /> If a majority of voters approve the sales tax and the Board of Commissioners implements the <br /> sales tax on April 1, 2011, the Article 45 sales and use tax would generate approximately <br /> $2,300,000 annually for the County. The sales tax would generate approximately $575,000 <br /> during the remainder/last quarter of FY 2010-11. <br /> RECOMMENDATION(S): The County Manager recommends the Assembly of Governments' <br /> meeting attendees discuss the November 2, 2010 Referendum on the Article 46 one-Quarter <br />