Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: April 8, 2008 <br />Action Age <br />Ifiem No. <br />SUBJECT: Real Property Transfer Tax Voter Education Effort <br />DEPARTMENT: County Manager PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No <br />ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Voter Education Effort -Scope of Work Laura Blackmon or Rod Visser, <br />919-245-2300 <br />PURPOSE: To receive an update from staff and Ballen Media regarding the voter education <br />effort for the May 6, 2008 referendum on the real property transfer tax. <br />BACKGROUND: At the February 19, 2008 regular meeting, the Board of Commissioners <br />adopted a resolution calling an advisory referendum for May 6, 2008 on the question of whether <br />to levy a real property transfer tax. This tax of four-tenths percent on eligible real property <br />transactions was provided for in the 2007 Session Laws enacted by the North Carolina General <br />Assembly as a local revenue option available to county governments. If Orange County voters <br />approve this measure, and Gounty Commissioners implement it subsequently in May 2008 <br />(following a 10-day public notice), the levy of the tax could begin as early as July 1, 2008. <br />At the March 18, 2008 regular meeting, the Board voted to retain the services of Ballen Media to <br />conduct on the County's behalf an education initiative designed to provide Orange County <br />voters with the best possible information about the transfer tax, and to permit them to make an <br />informed decision on the ballot question when they vote. At this April 8 work session, Ballen <br />Media and staff representatives will entertain the Board's questions and provide updates on <br />progress regarding the major elements of the scope of work of this engagement. <br />FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no direct financial impact associated with this agenda item. <br />Estimates developed by the County Budget Director suggest that based on historical patterns, <br />Orange County could expect proceeds for FY 2008-09 of approximately $3.5 million from a .4 <br />percent land transfer tax, if approved by voters and implemented by the Board of <br />Commissioners to take effect on July 1, 2008. <br />RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board receive the staff and <br />consultant updates, and provide any appropriate comments and feedback. <br />