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Ben Lloyd said that when the idea of a land transfer tax was born, it was stated that it is <br /> in six counties and it is working well. He said that all six of those counties are in retirement and <br /> vacation land. He said that two weeks ago he visited these six counties and consulted with the <br /> county managers and finance directors to see how this has worked. He said that if he had lived <br /> in any of these counties, he would probably have supported this land transfer tax because they <br /> had no commercial activity and industrial activity and they depend on this tax for their livelihood. <br /> He made reference to the projections that the sales tax would raise $3 million and the real <br /> estate transfer tax would raise $4 million. He said that in Chowan County, it was raising <br /> $750,000 in 2005 from the transfer tax. This has dropped to $473,000. This county has a 50- <br /> cent tax rate. He listed all of the other counties and gave examples of how the revenues have <br /> dropped. He said that in 2004, Orange County had 5,393 land transfers and in 2007 there were <br /> only 4,364. He proposed that the sales tax is more reliable and would produce more revenue. <br /> This would be a fairer tax because everybody pays. He does not believe that it would be <br /> regressive because food and medicine would be exempt. <br /> Robin Staudt said that she is an 11-year resident in Orange County. She said that the <br /> County has to consider ways to raise revenue to support the excellent schools and community <br /> life. She suggested considering viable economic development for these revenues, such as the <br /> proposed Buckhorn project. She would like these issues taken off the May primary ballot and <br /> pushed back to the November general election where there would be a substantially greater <br /> number of voters. She is against any tax as a revenue option, but if the Board of County <br /> Commissioners is going to do one, then she would choose the sales tax. <br /> Lucian Mascarella said that he is opposed to any increase in taxes. He said that his <br /> taxes have increased every year that he has been here. He said that Orange County has been <br /> in the top five counties for high taxes in the state. He said that there are people that are <br /> unemployed, and they do not need any more taxes. <br /> Joe Phelps said that Mr. Zimmerman and Mr. Lloyd had some valid points. He said that <br /> he thinks that everyone needs to pay a little bit of tax. He would prefer the sales tax as opposed <br /> to a land transfer tax. He said that the transfer tax would lead Orange County to be a county <br /> that could only be afforded by the wealthy. He is a realtor and he thinks that if the land transfer <br /> tax passes, then it will actually help the realtors who are actively in business. Regarding the <br /> poll, he thinks that the results will come back that most people want the land transfer tax <br /> because people are not planning to move. <br /> Robert Nichols said that he hopes that the County Commissioners will put the sales tax <br /> on the ballot. He said that he would work doubly hard to defeat the land transfer tax. <br /> Evelyn Perry said that she is against the land transfer tax and she does not think <br /> landowners should foot the bill for everybody to receive services. She thinks that it should be <br /> across the board. <br /> Chair Jacobs said that the Board of County Commissioners will have this item on the <br /> agenda on February 19th at the Southern Human Services Center. <br /> 6. Regular Agenda <br /> a. The Bluffs at Moorefields — Preliminary Plan <br /> The Board received Administration and Planning Board recommendations on and <br /> considered approval for the Preliminary Plan for The Bluffs at Moorefields Subdivision. <br /> Robert Davis said that this is located at the southern intersection of Moorefields Road <br /> and Dimmocks Mill Road. It is approximately 35 acres total, including the right-of-way. The <br /> subdivision is located in the Cheeks Township. The applicant is Steve Yuhasz, who is an agent <br /> for Christopher Road Realty, Inc. He showed a PowerPoint presentation of photos. The <br /> subdivision will be served by well and septic. This subdivision is located in a rural designated <br />