Agenda - 04-05-2011 - 7b - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 referendum has been held to date and the quarter-cent sales tax was approved in Halifax County an February 1, 2011. There are two referendums scheduled for the remainder of 2011 Cabarrus County is scheduled for May 17, 2011 and Buncombe County is scheduled for November 8, 2011. A Special Advisory Referendum Concerning the Levy of a Gne-Quarter Cent X114¢} County Sales and Use Tax was held in Grange County on November 2, 2010. The election results were 20,896 votes cast FGR and 21,953 votes AGAINST an additional one-quarter cent X114¢} county sales and use tax. The first possible date the Board can consider for a Special Advisory Referendum Concerning the Levy of a Gne-Quarter Cent X114¢} County Sales and Use Tax referendum, is November 8, 2011. North Carolina General Statutes 105-465 states that "The county board of elections shall fix the date of the special election, except that the special election shall nvt be held on the date or within 60 days of any biennial election of county officers, nor within one year from the date from the date last preceding special election under the section." Although a public hearing is not required by the North Carolina General Statutes, the Board held a public hearing on March 15, 2011 to solicit comments from the public on a possible November 8, 2011 Special Advisory Referendum Concerning the Levy of a Gne-Quarter cent X114¢} County Sales and Use Tax. After the public hearing, the Board discussed the potential referendum and directed staff to place a Resolution Calling for a Special Advisory Referendum Concerning the Levy of a Gne-Quarter cent X114¢} County Sales and Use Tax on the April 5, 2011 meeting. The Board considered that resolution earlier during tonight's meeting. The Board also directed staff, at the March 15t" meeting, to schedule a public hearin at the g April 5, 2011 meeting on the possible uses for the potential proceeds from the additional sales tax if approved by voters. liver the past few months the Board has discussed both Education and Economic Development as having a high priority when considering potential uses for revenues generated from the One-Quarter cent X114¢} Gounty Sales and Use Tax. A longterm commitment of ten years has also been discussed. Pending approval afthe referendum resolution concerning the Levy ofaone-Quarter Cent X114} County Sales and Use Tax, the .Board may also want to consider discussing any public education efforks to ensure voters are knowledgeable regarding the ballot question. The North Carolina Association of County Commissioners recommends that counties undertake a public education campaign to educate voters, The County did undertake a public education effort for the previous November 2010 sales tax referendum, It is proposed that a potential public education effort be considered for discussion at the April 7 Board work session and Board action as appropriate be considered atthe April 19, 2011 regular meeting. If a majority of voters approve the sales tax referendum, the Board will be required to give ten X10} days public notice of the Board's intent to levy the tax. The Board would then hold a required public hearing and consider a new resolution to actually levy the tax, The Board must adopt that additional resolution in order for the tax to take effect. Based on election certification timeframes, the Board of Gommissioners' regular meeting schedule, and timing and other requirements associated with the North Carolina Department of Revenue and North Carolina General Statute 105-466, the earliest date the additional sales tax could become effective following a Novernber8, 2411 referendum would be April 1, 2012.