Minutes 02-01-2011 - Laserfiche WebLink

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� A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Foushee to change item #1 from Attachment 3 to read, "seek legislation to allow all counties to enact by resolution or, at the option of the Commissioners, by vote of referendum, any or all revenue options other than a real estate transfer tax from among those that have been authorized for any other county." Commissioner Hemminger asked if this would affect raising the motor vehicle tax or other small ways of increasing revenue and it was answered no. Commissioner Yuhasz said that he appreciated the effort to resolve this, but he does not think that it is appropriate for the Orange County Board of Commissioners to have the option to impose any source of revenue that has been approved by any other county in the State. Other counties have different situations. He is concerned that Orange County might decide that it needed to impose one of those revenue options that was available to another county that is inappropriate for Orange County. He cannot support this kind of broad-based authorization for imposing taxes that have not been considered in the context of this particular county. Chair Pelissier said that she fully supports the options. She understands that things have been on the referendum that voters have rejected, and they were on a referendum because the State legislature required the County to put it on a referendum. She said that it is very hard for individuals to vote yes to taxes in general. She said that if the County Commissioners had revenue options, they would not make foolish decisions and would tailor it to the needs of the citizens and try to have a taxation system that is equitable. Property taxes are not equitable to all citizens in Orange County. She would like to see a little more flexibility. Commissioner McKee said that he sees this as a matter of the taxpayers, if they speak and say no to a tax, then he does not see it as a Board prerogative to be able to find an alternative avenue to impose another tax. VOTE: Ayes, 3 (Commissioner Hemminger, Commissioner Foushee and Commissioner Jacobs); Nays, 4 MOTION FAILED A motion was made by Commissioner Hemminger, seconded by Commissioner Jacobs to approve Item #1 from Attachment 3, Resolution Regarding Legislative Matters. VOTE: Ayes, 5; Nays, 2 (Commissioner Yuhasz and Commissioner McKee) (Vote on remainder of Attachment 3) VOTE: UNANIMOUS Attachment 4— Proposed Leqislative Matters on Statewide Issues Commissioner Jacobs thanked the staff for the information about help for the permanently disabled. This is related to the Homestead Exemption Relief Program. He suggested providing some background information on this to share with the legislators. Also, regarding electronic advertising, he said that the Board was just talking about it as an additional authorized option and not as a substitute for print. Commissioner Gordon said that this might be a slippery slope to eliminating print advertising. A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Jacobs to approve the items of interest as stated (salmon-colored sheet) with electronic advertising as a separate vote.