Agenda - 06-21-1988 - Laserfiche WebLink

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� e o3$• Memo to: Orange County, North Carolina; Hon. Shirley Marshall, Chair From: Independent Opinion Research & Communications, Inc. November Bond Issue Typically, the governing body of a city or county takes several steps in preparing for a referendum on a general obligation bond issue. Step one: To determine citizen interest in and support for projects that are appropriate for funding by bonds. This is accomplished through public hearings, random sample opinion polls, and by means of communication with staff and citizens through a citizens advisory process. Orange County has already utilized a citizens committee which has given its recommendation on the capital improvements-projects for the next five+ years, as well as specified its preferences for those projects most appropriate for bond funding. Orange County has also sampled public opinion on capital improvements projects, and gained input from citizens in this manner as well. The remaining step is to make a final decision on whether or not to hold the referendum, and which of the recommended projects to include. Public Hearings should be held as part of that final step. Your Citizens Advisory Committee members need to be invited to the public hearings. IOR&C will consult • with you on structuring the bond issue question and in setting up the public hearings if. you desire. Step two: Once the local government has placed projects on the ballot for referendum, it has the responsibility to inform the voters about the bond referendum and to answer their questions about it. This must be done in such a way that it does not advocate passage of the issue. We suggest a modest brochure (sample enclosed,) that explains the bond issue (who benefits, where projects will be located etc,) the potential and probable effect on the tax rate, and answers other questions raised in the survey. This brochure should be mailed to all households of registered voters in the county. We are interested in • consulting on this brochure for Orange County. Orange County can also utilize a video which staff and commissioners can take to various groups to further educate them about the bond issue projects and the CIP selection process. Much care must be taken that the presentation is factual only, because tax monies may not be spent advocating the passage of bond issues. IOR&C can provide video production. Ste. three: Advocacy phase. IA order to carry out an advocacy campaign on behalf of the bond issues, a campaign committee should be formed. This should consist of people in the community who have an interest in seeing the bond issues passed. If schools are on the bond issue, those interested in Orange County and Chapel Hill-Carrboro schools will be the natural members of the the committee. If reservoir/watershed issues are on the ballot, Independent Opinion Research & Communications, Inc. P.O.Box 501 • Wrightsville Beach,N.C.28480 • (919)256-3976