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On behalf of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce and its membership, we <br /> ask that you vote not to hold a referendum and put neither the sales or transfer tax on the ballot <br /> in May. On February 6, the Chamber's Government Relations Committee discussed the <br /> potential ballot measure and the Committee agreed that neither tax increase was appropriate at <br /> this time. <br /> Instead, our membership believes there are other effective strategies to employ to <br /> generate new revenue. Specifically, we propose that the County pursue appropriate economic <br /> development and increase the commercial component of the tax base. Stimulating <br /> development in the long-identified economic development nodes would diversify the residential- <br /> heavy tax base, generate new jobs, and boost sales and property tax revenue. <br /> We thank you for considering our recommendations and hope that you will not include <br /> the sales or transfer tax on the ballot. <br /> Sincerely, <br /> Aaron M. Nelson Kevin Schwartz <br /> President and CEO Chair, Government Relations Committee <br /> Jim Postman is a general contractor and appraiser. He also serves on Government <br /> Affairs for the Appraisal Institute and North Carolina Professional Appraisers Coalition. He <br /> asked if the respondents to the survey were all homeowners. He said that talking to renters <br /> about this might not be the way to go. He said that he is more in favor of a sales tax and he <br /> thinks that it is better to spread it out. He said that in the two and a half years that he has lived <br /> here, he has not gone to downtown Chapel Hill for shopping because there is nothing down <br /> there. He suggested working on some economic development in places such as Hillsborough. <br /> Delores Bailey is Executive Director of Empowerment, Inc., a non-profit in Chapel Hill <br /> that provides affordable housing. She represents affordable housing and middle class and she <br /> asked the Board not to vote for the land transfer tax. <br /> Ben Nichols said that he helped to get a lot of names on the petition mentioned earlier, <br /> and those people will support the %4-cent sales tax. <br /> Bob Nutter said that he believes that the sales tax would be better than the land transfer <br /> tax for Orange County. <br /> Commissioner Carey asked if this item was to be brought back on March 6th and Chair <br /> Jacobs said only on the specifics but the Board has to vote on one or both tonight. <br /> Commissioner Carey said that the comments tonight and at other times from the public, <br /> have been helpful to him. He said that the survey did not persuade him one way or the other, <br /> but it did give him insight. He said that there are pros and cons and impacts with both of these <br /> options. He said that many have said the sales tax is fairer, but asking people who have no <br /> income or limited income to pay increased sales taxes is unfair. He is voting for the land <br /> transfer tax because you only pay if you sell the property, and there are exemptions. <br /> Commissioner Foushee agreed with Commissioner Carey and said that what the Board <br /> votes tonight does not levy a tax, but will put the question on the ballot. <br /> Commissioner Nelson asked what means are available for the County in educating the <br /> public. Geof Gledhill said that there are no restrictions on media outlet, but there are <br /> restrictions on spending public money in support of or against an initiative. <br /> Commissioner Nelson said that he supports the transfer tax because it is a more <br /> progressive tax and the sales tax hurts too many people. He does have concerns about putting <br /> this on the ballot in May, and he would like to offer to the committee to help create a plan to <br />