Minutes 04-05-2011 - Laserfiche WebLink

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� that the motive behind this off-year election is to get the more liberal, southern section of the County to pass this tax. She said that this is not fair. She said that a matter of this importance belongs in a regular election year for all citizens. She asked the County Commissioners to drop the sales tax issue this year. Joe Phelps said that he signed up for 7-b, but he realizes he should be speaking to this item. He said that the Board should consider the extra expense that Commissioner McKee made reference to. He said that one of his questions is whether this sales tax would be permanent or whether the property taxes might be reduced if the economic development brings in more taxes. He said that he has not decided how he will vote at this point. He said that the County has done an excellent job of ineeting the needs of the citizens with reduced staff. Bob Randall read a prepared statement. "I'm Chairman of the Orange County Republicans. I want to first thank you for the opportunity to speak to the Orange County Commission. As the Orange County GOP Chair, a resident and taxpayer of Orange County, I, like many other county residents, have witnessed numerous growth opportunities escape this county as a result of what many of us believe to be governing leadership who are anti- business and anti-growth. This places additional tax burdens on residents. Ironically, in addition to losing these opportunities for growth, we are one of the highest taxed counties in North Carolina adding a further burden to homeowners and business owners alike. This County Commission has proposed a special election on November 8, 2011 for residents to vote on a tax increase by way of a sales tax. I want to remind you...County Commissioners, that just a few short months ago in the recent November 2010 election a majority of voters voted "No" on this issue and, in a democratic society, that one vote should be enough to send the message of what the voters of this region want. One has to ask "Why?„ —with county voters already having said, "No," Why do you need to ask for another vote on this and why NOW in an off-year election? The people have already spoken clearly on this issue and expressed their desire for "No New Tax!" I want to again remind you that we are already on the highest taxed counties in the state. That fact, coupled with our economy being the worst since the Great Depression and unemployment in North Carolina approaching 10% - higher than the national unemployment rate —the last thing our residents and taxpayers need is a further economic burden during these difficult economic times. Although Orange County Commissioners claim that this new tax will generate more than $2 million dollars annually, I must remind you that this "excess"revenue comes straight out of the pockets of Orange County residents who are already over-taxed. In addition to this burden on county taxpayers as a result of this proposed sales tax, there is the issue of cost. In a report issued by Tracy Reams, Director, Orange County Board of Elections, this special vote will cost taxpayers in excess of $80 thousand dollars —yet another burden shouldered by county taxpayers. Once again I have to ask you, "Why this vote to increase taxes and why now?" Lynn Hillman read a prepared statement. She lives in Carrboro. "Good evening, Commissioners. I'm Lynn Hillman from Carrboro and I want to thank you for letting me talk to you about the regrettable itch to raise the '/4-cent tax this year, when instead you clearly should scratch it off your agenda, only a year after voters said no to the tax in November 2010.