Orange County NC Website
generally comfortable as a group to let Durham County know that Orange County is interested <br /> in a regional plan. <br /> Commissioner McKee said that a regional plan is not a regional plan unless the largest <br /> player is part of it. The largest player—Wake County - has decided to take itself out of the <br /> equation. Orange County is depending on two assumptions —that the federal government and <br /> the state are going to come to the table with 75% of the money to finance this light rail. He <br /> would like to have this in two parts: a bus plan and a light rail. He is not supportive of a light <br /> rail at this point. <br /> Commissioner Hemminger said that this has been the most informational session. She <br /> said that she has to be realistic and she is interested in the bus component of this plan, but <br /> she is not ready to move this on the ballot in the fall. She still has not heard about the license <br /> tag fee and she would like a timetable. <br /> Chair Pelissier said that she is hearing that there are some who are uncomfortable with <br /> a financial plan for light rail because of the uncertainties of the state and federal funding. She <br /> said that if there is no plan for light rail, even though it makes an assumption, then there will be <br /> no light rail. Plan B would be a bus system only, if there are no monies from the federal and <br /> state governments. <br /> She said that the County Commissioners want more details. She said that there is no <br /> outline in the plan what happens with the obligations of the %2-cent sales tax. For example, the <br /> %2-cent sales tax cannot be used for supplanting existing services, but only for new services. <br /> There are a lot of things that have been discussed and it needs to all be in one place and one <br /> document. All of the regional bus routes, including which ones are fare free, should be in <br /> writing. <br /> Commissioner Yuhasz said that they all see the value in participating in a regional <br /> transportation plan. However, with the financial plan, he is not prepared to make a decision on <br /> that during this budget season. He said that all of this information should be brought to the <br /> Board over the break so that the County Commissioners can make a decision when they return <br /> in the fall. He said that he does not want to place the %2-cent transit tax on the ballot in the fall. <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Hemminger <br /> to not proceed with a November 2011 referendum on the %2-cent sales tax and set a date later <br /> this year for discussion of the new timetable and get further information related to Orange <br /> County components of the local and regional transit plans, and indicate to Durham, Carrboro, <br /> Chapel Hill, UNC, and the public our continued interest in pursuing participation and in <br /> enhanced regional public transportation system. <br /> VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> Commissioner Gordon asked about June 21St and Chair Pelissier said that the motion <br /> did not specify when to receive more information. <br /> Chair Pelissier asked if the Board wanted to look at the interlocal agreement. <br /> Commissioner Foushee said to leave this document until later. <br /> David King thanked the County Commissioners for their time and they have taken a <br /> shot at putting information in writing for a plan. He said that he would provide all of this <br /> information to the County Commissioners. <br /> Commissioner Foushee asked to have the draft interlocal agreement available for the <br /> County Commissioners to see. <br /> Craig Benedict said that the draft is in the packet, but it is edited on a daily basis by <br /> multiple parties. <br /> The additional information can come to the Board on June 21St <br /> Frank Clifton said that he understands what the Board is asking for, but there are <br /> limitations of staff and there are two more budget meetings between now and June 21St <br /> 16 <br />