Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
4. Emergency repairs for low-income homeowners who need quick repairs such as a roof or <br />plumbing who cannot wait for the comprehensive rehabilitation program offered by the <br />County Housing and CD Department. <br />Alice McAdoo, representing the Advisory Council on Aging, spoke on behalf of the poor and the <br />elderly who need help with home repairs. She said that they are unable to get out and work and do not <br />have enough money to keep up with necessary repairs. There are several agencies who help this group <br />of citizens, but there are many more out there who do not get the help they need. Ms. McAdoo is part of <br />a subcommittee which makes this request. She asked the County Commissioners to help build the <br />confidence of the elderly in Orange County by providing funds for home repairs. <br />B. LEGISLATIVE ISSUES <br />This item was presented for the purpose of receiving public comments and discussing issues <br />that the County Commissioners may want to include in their 1997 General Assembly legislative agenda. <br />This item will receive further consideration at the Board's March 18, 1997 meeting. <br />John Link read the 8 items being considered for local legislation and/or local support. They <br />are listed below for reference purposes: <br />1. Authorization to impose an impact tax, rather than the current impact fee, for educational <br />facilities. <br />2. Authorization to levy a real estate transfer tax (Statewide goal of North Carolina County <br />Commissioners Association) <br />3. Inclusion of sexual preference as a protected class in the County's human rights <br />ordinance enabling legislation. <br />4. Support of Smart Start continuation and discussion of an initiative that may be pursued <br />by the 1997 General Assembly regarding Smart Start. <br />5. Possibility of a local county-wide entertainment tax (originally pursued by Town of Chapel <br />Hill in 1993) <br />6. Support of a statewide change in the assessment of state excise tax on beer, wine, and <br />liquor as requested by the ABC Board <br />7. Legislation on verification of age, residency and citizenship for voter registration. <br />8. Repeal or modification of state statutes which preempt local jurisdictions from adopting <br />ordinances regulating pesticides. <br />Howard Pearson, ABC Board General Manager, made reference to item #6 and stated his support for <br />this legislation which is an initiative by the Wayne County ABC Board. He asked that the Board support <br />this proposed legislation. <br />John Thompson , Elder of the Church of Reconciliation, spoke in favor of #3. He said that the <br />Presbyterian Church supports providing full civil rights to lesbians and gays and that although there are <br />Christians who see all forms of homosexuals as sinners, they do not want to discriminate against <br />sinners. <br />W. E. Bugg, one of the owners of the Orange County Speedway, made reference to #5 and asked if this <br />entertainment tax is aimed at the Orange County Speedway. He noted that when they purchased the <br />speedway they made a considerable investment to upgrade the facility and have continued to make <br />additional investments which have not been recouped yet. They would not want to raise the admission <br />price because he feels this would hurt the attendance. He asked that the Board take this into <br />consideration when deciding whether or not to go forward on this item.