Orange County NC Website
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1 <br />2 <br />3 <br />4 <br />5 <br />6 <br />7 <br />8 <br />9 <br />10 <br />11 <br />12 <br />13 <br />14 <br />15 <br />16 <br />17 <br />18 <br />19 <br />20 <br />21 <br />22 <br />23 <br />24 <br />25 <br />26 <br />27 <br />28 <br />29 <br />30 <br />31 <br />32 <br />33 <br />34 <br />35 <br />36 <br />37 <br />38 <br />39 <br />40 <br />41 <br />42 <br />43 <br />44 <br />45 <br />46 <br />47 <br />48 <br />49 <br />50 <br />51 <br />15 <br />WHEREAS, the North Carolina legislature passed a state budget for 2018 -19 in which total <br />state spending remains below 2008 pre- recession spending and the approved budget marks 10 <br />consecutive years of declining state public investments as a share of the state's economy; and <br />WHEREAS, the North Carolina legislature's Fiscal Research Division has released budget <br />projections that show shortfalls in years 2019 -2020 to 2021 -2022; and <br />WHEREAS, the state is already underfunding key areas such as public education, roads, and <br />public health and public safety initiatives; and <br />WHEREAS, passage of SB75 would promote further declining levels of public investments and <br />would worsen the state's ability to address emerging issues at a time when North Carolina is <br />now the 10th most populous state and our population continues to grow; and <br />WHEREAS, counties and cities would be affected as the state would be shifting greater <br />responsibility to local governments for funding things that the state has normally covered; and <br />WHEREAS, passage of SB75 could lead to increases in taxes paid by everyday North <br />Carolinians in the form of sales taxes on more goods and services and at higher rates, property <br />tax increases from local governments, excise taxes and fines and fees, in order to fund existing <br />needs; and <br />WHEREAS, rating agencies often view constitutional tax and spending limits as risky because <br />policymakers then have fewer options in how a state can repay its debts, and a permanent <br />freeze on income rates could risk our AAA bond rating at a time when North Carolina may use <br />bonds to fund existing infrastructure needs; and <br />AND WHEREAS, amending the state constitution would tie the hands of all future lawmakers <br />and prevent evidence -based policymaking and hinder flexibility on state fiscal matters; <br />NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of Commissioners <br />urges voters to oppose this amendment; <br />AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of Commissioners opposes <br />amending the North Carolina State constitution to provide that the maximum tax rate on <br />incomes cannot exceed five and one -half percent; <br />AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Orange Board of Commissioners asks the North <br />Carolina General Assembly to oppose Senate Bill 75. <br />This the 19th day of June 2018. <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Price, seconded by Commissioner Marcoplos to <br />approve this resolution and to send to General Assembly, NCACC and other local government <br />in Orange County and across the state. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said to add another "now therefore" that voters oppose this <br />constitutional amendment; and he suggested calling it the "Wealthiest North Carolinians Tax <br />Relief Bill ". <br />Commissioners Price and Marcoplos said they would accept the first suggestion as a <br />friendly amendment. <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />L Orange Water & Sewer Authority Board of Directors —Appointment (was 114) <br />The Board considered making an appointment to the Orange Water & Sewer Authority <br />Board of Directors ( OWASA). <br />PUBLIC COMMENT: <br />Yinka Ayanhoya said that she is the only African American on this board, and OWASA <br />is seeking diversity on its board. She said a diversity plan has been in place for a year, and she <br />