Minutes 04-05-2011 - Laserfiche WebLink

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� something the County Commissioners have brought up repeatedly over the years because the burden is placed almost solely on local government. The cost of doing the inspections goes up and when the fees go up, the money goes to the State and not the County. This seems like a good moment to raise the issue again. He asked to add this stipulation to the resolution. Commissioner Yuhasz accepted the friendly amendment. VOTE: UNANIMOUS g_ Resolution Callinq for a November 8, 2011 Special Advisory Referendum Concerninq the Levy of a One-Quarter Cent (1/4�) County Sales and Use Tax The Board considered a Resolution Calling for a November 8, 2011 Special Advisory Referendum Concerning the Levy of a One-Quarter Cent (1/4¢) County Sales and Use Tax. Michael Talbert said that the General Assembly first gave counties the authority to levy this tax on November 7, 2007. Since that date, 77 referendums have been held across the State. Currently, 18 of those have been approved with 59 failing. Two other counties have this on the ballot in the coming year so far— Cabarrus County and Buncombe County. If the voters approve this resolution, the amount of revenue generated from the '/4-cent would be $2.5 million annually and would begin April 1, 2012. One-quarter of a cent would change the sales tax from 7.75% to 8%. This equals 1/4 of a cent on a dollar, 2.5 cents on ten dollars, and 25 cents on 100 dollars. Frank Clifton pointed out that the wording of the resolution follows the state statute. Commissioner McKee said that he has some objections about putting this on the November 8th ballot. One of the objections was concerning cost. The estimate was $26,000 additional costs of putting this on the fall ballot. His understanding is that this cost, due to the fact that the County would have to pick up part of the municipal costs, would currently be $84,500. He said that several people had talked to him about holding the line on taxes and to back this up with words/actions and go at least two years with no property tax increase before asking the voters to approve another type of tax. A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Foushee to amend the resolution to change the date from November 8, 2011 to May 8, 2012. Commissioner Foushee asked how much would be spent to educate the public. Frank Clifton said that last year the Board of County Commissioners set a budget of $40,000 and the County cannot promote the tax, but it can only educate the public with tax dollars. Commissioner Foushee stated that it is not the intent of the Board to hold this referendum at a time to disenfranchise anyone. There is a need to support economic development, and this is a good funding stream. Commissioner Jacobs said that the opinion from the General Counsel from the State Board of Elections was referred to the County Attorney but the County Commissioners do not have an opinion yet from him. He said that the polls are going to be open in November anyway because will be municipal and school board elections. He asked how the County would be responsible for these costs when the polls would be open anyway. He asked for an opinion from the County Attorney and ask the County Attorney to get an opinion from the Attorney General and find out if this is how it is done all over North Carolina. John Roberts said that his opinion is that the Counsel is wrong, but they have the power and authority to interpret this opinion their way. He said that he checked with the School of Government and he was told that the Counsel was wrong and they have the authority to be wrong. He said that he could get an opinion from the Attorney General.