Agenda - 11-03-1997 - 9c - Laserfiche WebLink

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4 IrrA Triangle Transit Authority September 26, 1997 The Honorable William Crowther,Chairman Orange County Board of County Commissioners Orange County Government Services Center 200 S. Cameron Hillsborough,NC 27602 RE: Approval of Rental Vehicle Tag Levy Dear Commissioner Crowther: Since 1989,with County and municipal support,the Triangle Transit Authority has developed a long range Regional Transit Plan. The plan includes expanding regional bus services and developing a regional rail system connecting Durham, Orange and Wake Counties. The plan has been endorsed by each unit of government in Orange County,and the Regional Transit Plan has been incorporated into the long range transportation plans and the Transportation Improvement Programs(TIPS)for the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization and the Durham Chapel Hill/ Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization. The Regional Transit Plan, like all of our major transportation projects,will be financed by a partnership of State, Federal and Local/Regional funds. Our entire congressional delegation, including Senators Helms and Faircloth and Representatives Price, Etheridge and Watt,have worked to obtain federal commitment for the project. Governor Hunt and Secretary Garrett,through the work of the Governor's Transit 2001 Commission,have provided for the commitment of the State funds. Now,we must secure the local and regional funds. In August 1997,the North Carolina General Assembly adopted and the Governor signed House Bill 1231,An Act to Authorize Supplemental Sources of Revenue for Local Government Transit Financing. For the Triangle region,this legislation permits up to a five percent tax on the short term rental of private passenger vehicles and motorcycles. In combination with the existing vehicle registration fee,passenger fares and investment income,the rental vehicle tax is sufficient to fund the local/regional share necessary to implement Phase I of the Regional Transit Plan, including both the regional rail system and expanded regional bus service. The Triangle Transit Authority Board of Trustees,by the attached resolution passed on September 24, 1997, requests that the Orange County Board of County Commissioners consider adopting a resolution approving a rental vehicle tax levy of five percent,effective the later of January 1, 1998 or the first day of the second month after the Board of Trustees adopts the Rental Vehicle Tax Levy Resolution. We appreciate your continued support for TTA's efforts to develop public transit service for the Triangle Region. If you have any questions or need further information,please contact Jim Ritchey at 919-406-1710 ext.24. Sincerely, Thomas F. Darden, Chair Board of Trustees Suite 206, 50 Park Drive A P.O.Box 13787 A Research Triangle Park A North Carolina 27709 Regional Bus:(919)549-9999 AL Office:(919)406-1710 A Fax:(919)990-9127