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ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: June 14, 2012 <br />001 <br />Action Agenda <br />Item No. 2 <br />SUBJECT: Public Education Effort Discussion for the Half- Percent Sales Tax Referendum on <br />the November 2012 Elections Ballot <br />DEPARTMENT: BOCC PUBLIC HEARING: (Y /N) <br />ATTACHMENTS: <br />INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Bernadette Pelissier, BOCC Chair, <br />245-2130 <br />PURPOSE: To provide direction on a Public Education Program for the Y2- percent sales tax <br />referendum on the November 2012 ballot which is one of the funding sources for implementing <br />Orange County's Bus and Rail Investment Plan ( OCBRIP). <br />BACKGROUND: At its June 5, 2012 meeting, the Board approved placing a referendum on the <br />November 2012 ballot regarding a '/2 percent sales and use tax for public transit. Orange <br />County's Bus and Rail Investment Plan outlines how revenues from the tax, as well as other <br />revenues, will be spent. In anticipation of providing educational information to the public <br />regarding this ballot question, the BOCC should decide on the scope of the effort. As in the <br />previous 2011 quarter ( %) cent sales and use tax initiative, any effort would not be an advocacy <br />campaign but strictly educational. The facts about the revenue sources, planned expenditures <br />and the timing of public transit events and investments are available and important. The <br />County's role is limited to the educational component; however, outside entities may take this <br />information further. The BOCC should discuss the County's role and the extent of that role in <br />the referendum educational effort. <br />The OCBRIP includes: <br />• Fixed guideway transit (Light Rail Transit) <br />o Orange County's transit partnership (i.e. Cost Share agreement) with Durham <br />County <br />• Expanded or new bus service (local, rural and regional) <br />• Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. bus lanes <br />• Small capital transit facilities (park and ride lots including Hillsborough Amtrak train <br />station, etc.) <br />FINANCIAL IMPACT: As the Board decides depending on the extent of the County's role. No <br />funds have been allocated in this year's budget or the Manager's Recommended Budget for FY <br />2012 -13. County staff, with the assistance of MPA interns, will pursue data collection and <br />distribution as requested, as well as information from Triangle Transit. <br />RECOMMENDATIONS: The Manager recommends that the Board discuss and provide <br />direction accordingly. <br />