Orange County NC Website
unless the Board by resolution determines that continued cost savings are necessary to <br />balance the budget; <br />NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Orange County Board of Commissioners has <br />determined a significant financial crisis exists that will result in a decrease in revenue to the <br />County and that temporary cost saving measures are necessary to balance the County's <br />budget for FY 2010-2011 in a manner that balances the rights of residents and business to <br />government services and the interest of County employees who provides those services; and <br />BE IT RESOLVED, the Orange County Board of Commissioners does hereby approve and <br />authorize the temporary cost saving measures for County employees provided in the County <br />Manager's recommended FY 2010-2011 budget; and <br />BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Orange County Board of Commissioners does hereby adopt <br />the attached amendment to the Orange County Personnel Ordinance to comply with these cost <br />saving measures. <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />c. Resolution Calling for a November 2 2010 Special Advisory Referendum <br />Concerning the Lew of aOne-Quarter Cent (1/4~) County Sales and Use Tax <br />The Board considered a Resolution Calling for a November 2, 2010 Special Advisory <br />Referendum Concerning the Levy of aOne-Quarter Cent (1/4¢) County Sales and Use Tax. <br />Frank Clifton said that staff offers this up as an option for the future, since the revenue <br />stream is so limited. This levy would not have a huge impact this fiscal year, but would give <br />options for the future. He said that, without additional revenues, County services are going to <br />deteriorate at a greater extent. The sales tax would not apply to food sales. <br />PUBLIC COMMENT: <br />Joe Phelps said that he would like the Board of County Commissioners to state how the <br />revenues would be spent if put on a referendum. He said that the money could be used for a <br />permanent meeting room, economic development, or the school systems. He would also like <br />the Board to be specific about the time period that this tax would be in effect. He said that it <br />should take care of immediate needs. He said that if it were used for economic development, it <br />could help keep the property tax rate down in the future and would create more sales tax <br />revenue. <br />Will Raymond is a resident of Chapel Hill. He said that he has been watching the <br />budget process. He commended the Board for making some tough cuts. He hopes that some <br />of the local leadership can take a lesson from that. He said that he is not against the'/4-cent <br />tax, but he thinks that there are some questions that must be answered before this is <br />implemented. He asked how the money would be spent. Debt is reduction is very attractive. <br />He also suggested human services. He said that the'/4-cent would affect the people who are <br />struggling the most and that is why human services is an attractive place to put the money. He <br />said that $2.4 million would not go very far in economic development or the school systems. He <br />said that the bulk of this new revenue will come from the municipalities, but he understands that <br />the municipalities will not directly share in this revenue. He suggested that the municipalities <br />get at least some of the money. <br />Aaron Nelson is President of the Chapel Hill Chamber of Commerce and said that his <br />board will meet on Thursday to discuss whether to support this, but their Executive Committee <br />