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Commissioner McKee asked when this would become effective if this referendum were <br /> held in the primary of 2012 rather than the general election of 2011. Michael Talbert said that <br /> it takes roughly one quarter and the first date that it could be effective would be October 1St of <br /> the following year. <br /> Commissioner McKee said that there is an arc of rural precincts and he asked how <br /> much it would cost to have these open if there was nothing else on the ballot and it was <br /> answered $26,000. <br /> Commissioner Gordon said that she would like to decide what this sales tax is going to <br /> be used for at the same time as voting on whether to put it on the ballot at all. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs asked how many jobs have been cut in County government in <br /> the last two years. Frank Clifton said that there has been a salary savings of $1.7 million in <br /> this year's budget as a result of not filling vacant positions. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs said that the Board will have the discussion about how to use the <br /> funds before anything is put on the ballot. He feels comfortable going ahead with this. <br /> Commissioner McKee said that he supported the quarter-cent sales tax as an <br /> alternative to raising property taxes, which he is totally against. He said that holding this in <br /> 2011 when 11 precincts would not normally be open would incur a very low turnout because it <br /> is an off year. It would also cost $26,000. He would not support putting this on the 2011 <br /> ballot. <br /> Commissioner Yuhasz said that the two things that he sees using this money for are <br /> economic development and school capital improvements. He sees that this tax provides an <br /> opportunity to invest in the economic development without having to take money away from all <br /> of the other critically important programs that the County currently funds. He supports going <br /> forward with this now. He understands the concerns about the timing, but he thinks that each <br /> month it is delayed costs the County $100,000 or more. <br /> Chair Pelissier echoed Commissioner Yuhasz' comments. She said that the property <br /> tax is regressive, especially for people on fixed incomes. She pointed out that the sales tax is <br /> not on groceries. She also pointed out that the County Commissioners have cut the budget for <br /> the past two years and have even cut positions. Most of the remaining money is going to <br /> public safety, health, and social services. <br /> Commissioner Hemminger said that she would like to see what the Manager has cut for <br /> the past few years. <br /> Commissioner Foushee said that she would like to see figures for non-essential <br /> services such as Dental services and Libraries. <br /> Frank Clifton said that the current budget is $9 million less than the amended budget <br /> was for last fiscal year. <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner Hemminger, seconded by Commissioner Jacobs <br /> to approve the Manager's recommendation: <br /> 1) Conduct a public hearing to solicit comments from the public on a possible <br /> November 8, 2011 Special Advisory Referendum Concerning the Levy of a One- <br /> Quarter Center Cent County Sales and Use Tax; <br /> 2) Direct staff to place the attached Draft Resolution Scheduling a Special Advisory <br /> Referendum Concerning the Levy of a One-Quarter Cent County Sales and Use tax <br /> on the April 5, 2011 regular meeting agenda for Board action; and <br /> 3) In preparation for possible Board approval of the referendum resolution at the April <br /> 5, 2011 regular Board meeting, schedule and direct staff to move forward with <br /> public notices for a public hearing at the same April 5, 2011 meeting on the possible <br /> uses for the potential proceeds from the additional sales tax if approved by the <br /> voters. <br />