Agenda - 10-01-2003-8k - Laserfiche WebLink

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6 lunch, it would have a devastating impact. He asked what moron would come up with a suggestion like this. Today on NPR he heard that there is going to be a discussion in the legislature reference the Highway Trust Fund, which has almost $1 billion in it. By the year 2007, that same fund will have close to $6 billion accumulated in it. He said that maybe the "good road state" needs to become the "good people state" and put roads on the back burner for a short period of time and take care of the needs of those least able to stand up and defend themselves. Mayor Foy said that he feels the municipalities need to focus on what might be achievable. He said that what might be achievable for next year with the legislature and the Governor is an agreement not to take the utilities franchise fees. Further, it would be helpful to understand that we need to set the tax rate by July 1St. This gives a short window of opportunity to try to take into account any action that the legislature can take this year to secure those funds for us next year. Joal Hall Broun said that what the municipalities are doing now is dipping into their fund balances. Next year, they will not be able to do that. Even if the money the State has taken is returned, it will take the Town of Carrboro three to five years to recover. She asked that the local delegation look at what cutting funds in mental health will do to the jails and the increase in prisoners. She said that it would be worse long-term and these short-term solutions do nothing for the State. Representative Insko agreed with Jackie Gist that at the State level they are raising taxes by withholding money from the local jurisdictions. She thinks that this is a strong argument. Senator Kinnaird made reference to an article she wrote to the News and Observer. She said that today she got a fax from someone in Holly Springs who accused her of leaving the democratic party advocating for taxes. She made reference to the comment about where all the money went and said that there have been three hurricanes and one flood. She said that the tax revenue that is supposed to be coming in is actually increasingly going down, so that each year we have less revenue. The State has sent out pledges to each legislator saying, "I will not raise your taxes." She said that it is so frustrating because even though the statewide poll showed that 87% of the people are in favor of raising taxes on tobacco, they said they could not do it because it was an election year. She is to the point of despair and frustration. Chair Jacobs said that if the people in the legislature do not have the guts to do it, then they should give the municipalities the authority to levy revenues and the freedom to meet the responsibilities. He said that Orange County is not going to let elderly people starve because the State is cutting funds. Orange County will not turn its back on anyone, but we do not have the tools or the opportunities to help us meet those responsibilities. Pat Evans said that what is allowed for one municipality or county needs to be given to all municipalities or counties. John Herrera said that we need to go and sit with the Governor and have a negotiating team to get what we want. We need to put pressure on the elected officials. Senator Kinnaird said that on May 28th, which is the opening day of the Legislature, a rally starts at the Clarion Hotel at 9:00 a.m. and it marches to the Governor's office and the Legislature. It is called a Rally for Justice and includes almost all of the non-profits. 2. CHAPEL HILL COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENTS a. Chapel Hill Comprehensive Plan Amendments for the Northwest Area Chris Berndt made this presentation. At the Joint Planning Area Public Hearing on April 11, 2001, a series of amendments in Chapel Hill's Northwest Area were presented. The amendments were: