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WHEREAS, through hard work, dedication, teamwork, and commitment, the Tigers brought <br /> honor upon themselves, Chapel Hill High School, the Chapel Hill / Carrboro <br /> School District and Orange County; <br /> NOW, THEREFORE, be it proclaimed that the Orange County Board of Commissioners <br /> expresses its sincere appreciation and respect for the Chapel Hill High School <br /> Fencing Team, for the Tigers' outstanding achievement, and their inspiration to <br /> youth across North Carolina through their dedication, teamwork, and athletic <br /> prowess. <br /> This, the 18th day of March 2014. <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Dorosin to <br /> approve a proclamation recognizing the Chapel Hill High School Fencing Team for winning the <br /> 2014 State Championship and authorize the Chair to sign. <br /> VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> 5. Public Hearings <br /> a. Solid Waste Service Tax District— Public Hearing <br /> The Board conducted the first of two public hearings, pursuant to North Carolina <br /> General Statutes 153A-302, to receive comments with regard to the proposed establishment of <br /> a Solid Waste Service Tax District in unincorporated Orange County. <br /> Chair Jacobs noted that there were lists of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) available <br /> for the public in the back of the room. He said these are based on emails from citizens.He <br /> said that the public hearing is not typically a question and answer time, though Gayle Wilson <br /> may be able to answer some general questions. He said all questions will be noted for the <br /> next public hearing and will be answered on the website prior to that. <br /> Gayle Wilson gave a brief background of the curbside recycling program. He noted that <br /> it was initiated in 1993 and funded by landfill revenue. He said a new method of funding <br /> through a rural 3-R fee was approved in 2004, with an every-other-week collection program for <br /> about 13,000 residents in the County. He said the County manager and the County attorney <br /> expressed concern regarding the statutory justification for the fee and recommended that it be <br /> eliminated in favor of other means of funding. He said the 2012 tax bill was the last time the <br /> 3-R fee was assessed, and it was $38 per year at that time. He said the Board provided <br /> interim funding from landfill reserves in 2013 and began consideration of various options to <br /> address the funding problem. He said over 50 percent of residents participated in the <br /> program. He said after considering and rejecting numerous alternatives, in December 2013 <br /> the Board indicated intent to implement a Solid Waste Service District Tax as a means to <br /> replace the lost funding. He noted the district map that shows incorporation of the existing <br /> 13,750 residents as well as an extension of service to 1,650 more residents. He noted the <br /> upcoming availability of roll carts in the fall of 2014. He said, if the service district is adopted, <br /> the estimated tax rate will be 1.5 cents per $100 assessed value. He said the Board has also <br /> discussed the possibility of an "opt-out" or "fee for service" program. He said the rate for this is <br /> difficult to assess, without knowledge of the participation. <br /> Chair Jacobs noted that the public is welcome to discuss any proposed options or <br /> funding alternatives. <br /> PUBLIC HEARING: <br />