Minutes 08-17-2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

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WHEREAS, the School Board has no authority to levy taxes to generate revenue to operate the school system and is dependent on the federal and state governments and Orange County local government to provide the school system with adequate funding on a yearly basis; and WHEREAS, the School Board is of the belief that passage of Article 46 one-quarter cent sales tax would diversify the County's revenue stream and has the potential to minimize cuts in local funding for the school system and the impact on the level of service the school system would be able to provide. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Orange County Board of Education requests the Orange County Board of County Commissioners allocate all of the proceeds from the proposed Article 46 one-quarter center sales tax to Orange County and Chapel Hill- Carrboro City Schools. This the 18th day of August 2010. Aaron Nelson, President of the Chapel Hill/Carrboro Chamber of Commerce, said that they support the 1%-cent sales tax increase and for the majority of these funds to go to economic development. He said that the Board of County Commissioners needs to become firm on this before the Chamber of Commerce can fully come out to support it. He said that these funds should be spent on business retention, business recruitment, etc., besides infrastructure. He said that it is important for the County to still try and get a %2-cent sales tax for regional transit and transportation. Bob Nutter said that he supports a sales tax because it is one of the few taxes that they have a choice in. He said that he trusts the Board of County Commissioners and staff to use it wisely. Chair Foushee said that this resolution only allows the County Commissioners to consider the question of a 1%-cent sales tax. Frank Clifton said that additional information will be discussed at the work session on the 191h. The Board of County Commissioners can vote on this at the September 2nd meeting. He pointed out that this tax does not apply to grocery sales. Commissioner Yuhasz said that so many commented on targeting this tax for economic development and the only question is how much will go toward economic development. He said that the County Commissioners should put some timeframe on how long the specific targets attached to the tax will last, such as a five-year horizon. Commissioner Pelissier asked that staff come to a work session with timeframe parameters for this sales tax. She does not want to make an indefinite commitment to any one issue. She asked for some pros and cons of different timeframes. Chair Foushee made reference to the public education section and said that the Board needs to discuss this on the 19th to make sure the public understands this referendum. Commissioner Jacobs said that this item should have been put first since so many people were here to speak. 7. Regular Agenda a. First Reading: Emergency Services Franchise by Ordinance: AAA Transport, Inc. The Board considered approving on First Reading the granting of a franchise by ordinance to AAA Transport, Inc., the Franchise Agreement under which it will operate and authorizing the County Manager to sign after review by the County Attorney. Frank Montes de Oca introduced this item.