Minutes - 20060613 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Metadata

Thumbnails

Annotations

experienced, in their community, working with the Orange County Health Department on potential water pollution issues, and they are very grateful. But it took many people and there was never a single source to come to for issues. Their group, Carolina Concerned Citizens, has worked with communities statewide over the last four years. In every community there has been the same situation with who to talk with in Orange County. She said that it always comes back to the Health Department. She said that there is a definite need in Orange County for a Water Quality Specialist. She said that they should look at this from a community need standpoint rather than a scientific need. She asked the County Commissioners to consider this position of a Water Quality Specialist. Serena Scott said that she is disabled and a landowner and she asked the County Commissioners to say no to higher taxes. She said that those who are disabled can not afford higher taxes. She said that she enjoys living in northern Orange County and her income is fixed and she does not see how she can pay higher taxes. b. Matters on the Printed Agenda (These matters were considered when the Board addressed that item on the agenda below.} 3. Board Comments Commissioner Gordon said she attended the dedication of the Northern Human Services Center's walking track and many attended that had connections to this site. Commissioner Gordon said that the Orange Unified Transportation Board met for the first time and Karen Lincoln did a good job on the first meeting. Commissioner Gordon reported that the Intergovernmental Parks Work Group met and discussed various issues. They did find out that Hillsborough and Carrboro approved the composite parks plan. Commissioner Gordon said that she was asked to be a panel member in Wake County to talk about school needs and she talked to them about SAPFO and impact fees. Commissioner Gordon said that on May 4th she and Commissioner Foushee brought up the question about tax assistance. Tonight she wants to present a specific proposal for a property tax assistance program. She read a memo describing her proposal, and the memo is incorporated by reference. She proposes to provide some tax assistance to those residents who can least afford to pay their tax bill by implementing a tax assistance program. She asked that staff perform a program feasibility analysis for this type of program. Commissioner Carey said that he commends Commissioner Gordan far this proposal, but his tax relief plan is not to raise taxes at all or to keep them as low as possible. He said that the County Commissioners control the taxes on property and this is the only thing within their control. He is pleased that the people spoke on the taxes and the water resources position because he likes to hear from different views. Commissioner Halkiotis echoed what Commissioner Carey said. He thanked Chair Jacobs for explaining to Mr. Hicks about the water infrastructure and for him to go the Town of Hillsborough to share his concerns. He said that he also does not agree with selling the water and sewer infrastructure to Durham. He said that when they considered watershed restrictions 10-12 years ago, there was bloodshed in the auditorium. He said that this Board has a clear record of voting on the side of watershed protection time and time again. Commissioner Halkiotis said that he had asked about the possibility of including County fuel savings data on agenda face sheets and he thinks this is important. He said that he was reviewing the follow-up action sheet and got dismayed when he saw "review passibility". He said that he never said "possibility." He said that it is not that big a deal. The Sheriff has already implemented some procedures that do not compromise public safety, but have already