Minutes 06-21-2011 - Laserfiche WebLink

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**Note these figures combine the mileages (2.89 plus 0.88) and costs ($223 M plus $73 M) for Orange County (Area A above) and for Chapel Hill Within Durham County (Area B above). Commissioner Gordon said that she would ask that all of these charts be completed and that all of the elements of the plan be included regarding the expenditures. The critical question is cost-sharing by Orange County in the Durham County plan. Chair Pelissier said that her understanding of the cost-sharing assumption is that it assumes now that Orange County would pay for the rail line within Durham County that is within the city limits of Chapel Hill and for the stations. Craig Benedict said that there are two stations — Gateway and Hillmont. The share represents about 23% from Orange County and 77% from Durham County. Patrick McDonough from Triangle Transit said that within the Durham plan now, they have used the financial assumptions that have been used for the past year. The sales tax receipts have been better than anticipated. Commissioner McKee said that, considering the fact that the figures keep changing and the implications of the Durham County financial plan and the Orange County financial plan when Orange County has not considered its own financial plan, he would be reluctant to vote for the Durham County financial plan at this time. Commissioner Yuhasz said that he would be ok with voting in the affirmative as long as it is clear that whatever Orange County may do is an assumption and that the assumption may not hold. Commissioner Foushee agreed with Commissioner Yuhasz. Chair Pelissier asked if this would have any legal implications if Commissioner Gordon votes in this manner. John Roberts said that it would not be binding legally, but it may be binding politically. Commissioner Gordon asked for guidance about how she should vote for the plan but not include the specifics about Orange County's cost-sharing. Commissioner McKee said that Commissioner Gordon's comments brought him back to his same concerns. He said that he realizes that the Durham County plan has been devised by Durham County. The linkage to Orange County does signal to him intent that Orange County approve Durham County's plan and Orange County's plan before it is even reviewed closely. Commissioner Yuhasz said that he would be concerned that not voting for the plan would signal that Orange County was uncooperative. Commissioner Jacobs agreed with Commissioner Yuhasz and he said that the Board has said all along that it wants to facilitate Durham County putting this on the ballot. He thinks that an affirmative statement should be made that this should not be construed as endorsement by Orange County for the plan as it affects Orange County. Commissioner McKee said that he would like it clearly stated that Durham County's plan does not affect in any way Orange County's plan. Chair Pelissier agreed with Commissioner Yuhasz and Commissioner Jacobs and she does want to look at cost-sharing and come up with a plan. She said that she is hearing the following direction from the Board: