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DRAFT <br />ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Ifo <br />Resolution in Support of Potential Statewide Public Referenda on Land for <br />Tomorrow Bonds, School Construction Bonds, and Water and Sewer Bonds <br />WHEREAS, there exists a great need for governmental entities to act in many areas in order to <br />provide effective and efficient services and programs far the short and Tong-term benefit of <br />residents across the entire State of North Carolina; and <br />WHEREAS, Orange County was the first County in the State to endorse the Land far Tomorrow <br />Initiative; and <br />WHEREAS, three specific areas that affect the short and long-term health, well-being, and <br />quality of life for all residents of the State relate to the reservation and protection of natural <br />resource lands and open space for the long-term benefits and enjoyment of both residents and <br />visitors to the State; school facilities; and public water and sewer infrastructure; and <br />WHEREAS, while individual counties, cities, and towns can make incremental strides to <br />address these three areas, these entities do not retain the resources or maintain the financial <br />standing to comprehensively address the substantial needs in these areas; and <br />WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina does retain the resources and financial standing to <br />provide the necessary framework to address these statewide needs on a statewide level; and <br />WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina and the North Carolina General Assembly should <br />provide the necessary leadership, forethought, planning, and direction to address issues that <br />affect the entire state; <br />NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, <br />hereby express our support for and encourage the North Carolina General Assembly to pursue <br />potential statewide public referenda on Land for Tomorrow Bonds, School Construction Bonds, <br />and Water and Sewer Bonds as follows: <br />J) The State of North Carolina should conduct a public referendum on Land for Tomorrow <br />Bonds to provide the necessary capital that local governments can access to secure <br />and/or protect significant properties, natural resource properties and open space for <br />the long-term benefit and enjoyment of both residents and visitors to the State. <br />2) The State of North Carolina should conduct a public referendum on School <br />Construction Bonds to provide the necessary capital for local funding agencies to <br />construct additional school facilities to address space demands created by the <br />expansion of the "More at Four" program, the State-mandated reduced class size <br />requirements, and incremental student population growth. <br />3) The State of North Carolina should conduct a public referendum on Water and Sewer <br />Bonds to provide the necessary capital that local governments can access to address <br />the maintenance, upgrade, and expansion of public water and sewer infrastructure that <br />is required in order to provide quality service to an ever-growing population and to <br />protect the environment. Any entity receiving such funds should be required to adopt <br />and implement a permanent water conservation plan that will allow both water and <br />financial resources to be efficiently utilized statewide,. Any entities receiving funds <br />should also be required to establish a plan to share water resources on an emergency <br />basis with other communities, especially in times of drought.. <br />This the 18th day of April 2006. <br />Barry .Jacobs, Ghair <br />Orange County Board of Commissioners <br />