Agenda - 10-05-2010 - 3b - Laserfiche WebLink

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R~ s- a o i o- o ~ 3 }~~ad.~I-~ ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS A Resolution Supporting the November 2, 2010 One-Quarter Cent Sales Tax Referendum and Encouraging Orange County Voters to Utilize the Referendum as an Opportunity to Broaden and Diversify the County Tax Base WHEREAS, Orange County is confronted with significant economic development, public education, human and social needs caused by demand and expectations for service excellence; and WHEREAS, it is necessary to provide Orange County taxpayers with responsible alternatives to reliance upon the property tax to help address these and other concerns for community improvement and investment; and WHEREAS, the levy of an Article 46 one-quarter cent County sales and use tax would provide a new source of revenue and generate approximately $2,300,000 annually for the County; and WHEREAS, it is vital that Orange County establish a more robust environment for stimulating and sustaining existing business enterprises, new businesses, and jobs creation; and WHEREAS, it is important and intentional that the County partner aggressively with the Towns of Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Hillsborough and the Cities of Durham and Mebane to shape these shared interests into economic reality; and WHEREAS, outstanding public schools are corollary to a sound local economy; and WHEREAS, quality Library Services and Emergency Medical Services further reflect the values of a caring and secure community; and WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners has established a 5-year commitment to allocate Article 46 one-quarter cent county sales and use tax proceeds as follows: 42.5% will be allocated in an equitable manner between the County's two school systems dedicated for the purpose of facility improvement at `older' schools within all of Orange County and the procurement of technology. Each school system will establish a list of prioritized needs for older schools within the County. Funding provided by the passage of the referendum will be allocated to those prioritized projects. Progress will be evaluated annually and adjustments made according to needs agreed upon by the School Boards and the Board of County Commissioners. 2. 42.5% will be allocated to economic development efforts including funding infrastructure improvements needed to recruit new businesses and expand existing businesses; funding for business loans and grants to grow businesses in Orange County; targeted business recruitment ,retention and expansion efforts; and community branding and marketing.