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~ t ~ <br />4 <br />Su~eested Talking Points for Public Education -Quarter Cent Sales Tax <br />Referendum (Drafted 9/16/2011) <br />• The Quarter Cent Sales Tax, if approved, will help diversify the <br />tax base and avoid placing an inordinate. burden on property <br />owners <br />• All consumers (including visitors, commuters, and students and <br />who do not own property in Orange County) contribute to~ sales <br />taxes -viewed as a fairer means of generating revenue <br />• Orange County is a desirable destination/tourist and visitor <br />attraction: A significant share of any sales tax will be paid by <br />persons not County residents -The Chapel Hill/Orange County <br />Visitors Bureau reports that visitors generate approximately. 20% <br />of local sales tax revenue and could potentially yield $500,000 if . <br />the Quarter Cent Sales Tax is passed by the voters <br />• The Quarter Cent Sales Tax will cost an individual: 1 cent on. a <br />$4.00 purchase; 25 cents on a $100 purchase; 75 cents on a $300 <br />purchase; and $1.25 on a $500 purchase ("Purchase" means <br />taxable good) <br />• Exemptions and exclusions to the Quarter Cent Sales Tax <br />include: groceries, prescription drugs; gasoline; vehicle <br />purchase; most farm equipment and materials for farmers. The <br />tax would not apply to gas or electricity _ bills or doctor or <br />attorney fees. <br />• Diversifying the tax base and increasing local government <br />options for revenue to 'enhance schools and economic <br />development are high priority for the Board of County <br />Commissioners <br />