Agenda - 11-01-2011 - 9b - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: November 1, 2011 Action Agenda Item No. C- " SUBJECT: Progress Report: One-Quarter (1/4) Cent Sales and Use Tax Referendum Public Education Campaign DEPARTMENT: County Manager PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): Campaign Flyers INFORMATION CONTACT: Gwendolyn Harvey Assistant County Manager 919 245 2307 PURPOSE: To receive an update and summary of the activities on the County's public education campaign for the November 8, 2011 referendum on a proposed One-Quarter (1/4) Cent Sales and Use Tax. BACKGROUND: On April 5, 2011 the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) adopted a resolution to schedule a November 8, 2011 referendum on the Article 46 One-Quarter (1/4) Cent Sales and Use Tax. Later, on June 21, the Board clarified its intentions regarding allocation of the potential funds. Pending voter approval, 50% of the revenues would be directed to the public school systems and 50% would be targeted to economic development initiatives. The schools would use the sales tax revenue for capital investment projects; i.e., improving existing older facilities and updating technology. The economic development funds would be used to fund utility infrastructure needed to recruit and locate new businesses, small business loans, space for start-ups, business investment grants, and agri-business. If approved, the sales and use tax would generate an annual estimated $2.5 million in additional revenue, with proceeds (as noted above) being divided half to support improvements in facilities and technology for the public schools systems and half to stimulate business growth and jobs creation. If approved by voters, the BOCC has committed the One-Quarter (1/4) Cent Sales and Use Tax revenues for these two purposes -schools and jobs -for the next ten years. Since late August/early September, the County has engaged in a public education endeavor to make residents aware of the referendum. This agenda item summarizes activities to date, and the days before the election, on the One-Quarter (1/4) Cent Sales and Use Tax proposal. The County has sought to engage the public in understanding the issue and encourage civic involvement by voting on November 8. County Management was authorized to launch a public education campaign to raise awareness among registered voters, encourage them to seek additional information, and encourage them to vote in the general election on November 8. The public communications firm of Sheer Associates, Inc., headed by Joel Sheer, was retained to provide strategy and creative content.