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Commissioner Gordon requested that all of the questions raised by the public be <br /> answered with specifics and in a systematic format. <br /> Chair Jacobs said the last citizen asked how staff came up with the actual tax rate. He <br /> suggested the Gayle Wilson consult with the attorney or the tax administrator to find this <br /> answer. <br /> Commissioner Rich said the last gentleman was specifically asking how the city came <br /> up with the tax amount versus the rural tax amount. <br /> Gayle Wilson said he had nothing to do with any of the taxes within Chapel Hill, and the <br /> tax district only represents the unincorporated areas. <br /> Chair Jacobs said this information could still be gathered by speaking to Chapel Hill. <br /> Commissioner Price said part of the argument in favor of the tax district is that it will <br /> encourage people to recycle more, and she has some issues with this. She asked if Gayle <br /> Wilson could cite some of the research behind this statement. She feels that much of the <br /> success of the recycling program has been due to education and the conscientiousness of the <br /> residents. <br /> Gayle Wilson said staff has indicated that, between the two options of opt out versus <br /> the district tax, subscription option performs more poorly. He said there is considerable data <br /> within the state that supports this. <br /> Commissioner Price asked if the subscription programs also have an educational <br /> component. <br /> Gayle Wilson said the programs vary widely from zero education outreach to moderate <br /> amount of education. He said all of them are likely doing less than what Orange County does. <br /> Commissioner Price said she had a procedural question about the closure of the public <br /> hearing. <br /> John Roberts said this public hearing is independent from the one that is being held in <br /> Hillsborough on April 1St. He said this public hearing will be adjourned and an announcement <br /> will be made informing the public of the next public hearing on the same subject. <br /> Commissioner Price asked if residents can continue to submit written testimony. <br /> John Roberts said yes, and these will be considered at the second public hearing. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin said he has not made up his mind yet, but he has a procedural <br /> question. He asked if every parcel on the map was given notice about this public hearing. <br /> Michael Talbert said yes. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin said he has heard the critiques of a one-size-fits-all model, and <br /> he asked if the Board could do anything they wanted with solid waste service district tax map, <br /> including making it smaller and doing subscription service in the other parts. He asked if this <br /> could be done with no new notice, as long as the area was made smaller and not bigger. <br /> John Roberts said the Board can reduce the size; however it has to be a contiguous <br /> district. He said there cannot be separate pieces and modules. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin asked if it would be acceptable if the Board determined that it <br /> made more sense to do it in certain areas of the County and less sense in other areas as long <br /> as there was still a contiguous district. <br /> John Roberts said the statute does not address this, but in his opinion the Board can <br /> reduce the outlined district to any size or shape that is contiguous, as long as the residents <br /> have received their notices. <br /> Commissioner Pelissier asked if there could be additions to the list of frequently asked <br /> questions (FAQ) for the next public hearing. She said she would like to add the verbiage from <br /> John Roberts about the legislation. <br /> John Roberts clarified that he is not saying the County does not have the authority to <br /> do a fee. He said there is a question as to whether the County has the authority to levy a fee, <br /> given recent court cases. <br />