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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 19940929Tonm of Chapel Hill Fax:919-967-8406 May 16 '95 11:27 P.01l05 SUMMARY OF AN ASSEMEI,Y 'DF GOVERNMENTS MEETING, THTIRSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1994 AT 6:~0 P.M., ORANGE COi1NTY'HOMESTEAb CENTER Orange County Commission Chair Moses Carey called the meeting to order. Elected affieials in attendance were Carrbora Mayor Lleanar Kinnaird, Carrbaro Alderpersons Hank Anderson, Jay Bryan, Jackie Gist, Randy Marshall and Frances shetley, Chapel Hill Mayor Kenneth Brown, Chapel. Hill Council Members Joyce Brown, Joe Capowski, Mark Chilton, Pat Evans, Barbara Powell, Jim Protaman and Rosemary Waldorf, Hiilsbc~rough 14ayor Horace Johnson .and Board Member Eva.lyh Lloyd, and Qrange County Comaissionera Alice Gordon and Verla Inska. Also in attendance was Institute of Government Professor Jake 1Flicxer, Carrbaro Town Manager Bob Morgan, Chapel t~i.ll Town Manager Cal Horton, Chapel Hill Finance Director James Raker, Chapel Hill Assistant to the Manager Greg Feller, Hillsborough Administrator Eric Swanson and grange County Manager John Link. Commissioner Carey inquired whether there were any questions about the report from elected officials. Alderman Gist said ,9he granted to talk about larger equity issue matters at some .point a.n the future. Alderman Gist also said she wanted tts~ discuss philosophical matters about effect$ on landowners in the future. Institute af,Government Professor Jake Wicker stated that multiple levels of government added to the complexity of dealing with equity matters. Mr. .Wicker said he had examined any inequities between levels of government solely in t+~rms of taxes and had not attempted to decide whether any particular type of• taxes were good or fair antis. He also noted that it was fai~cly common for gersans living in cities yr towns to believe that they were doubly taxed, payi,nq county and ~eunicpal taxes. Mr. Wicker .added that some citiaena also felt that they were not fully rewarded for County property taxers . . Mr. Wicker stated that although mast revenues were raised by state .• and federal government~agencies, the ma~ority~of these funds were expended at the local level. He briefly rev~.ewed an exhibit copcerning the distribution of local sales tax proceeds, stating that Yiis analysis found that flown residents- tended to. ~eeceive more return for their per .capita tax dollars than residents of unintsorporated areas in Orancje County. Mr. Wicker said another complicating factor in determining tax equity matters was .the overlap of ~urisdictians. He noted that both the Orange County Cc~issioners and the. Chapel Hill Town Council,represented 'the interests of the Town~s~residcnts. Mr,~wicker emphasized the important role of local sleeted officials in coming up with fair methods to treat. all citizens in a fair marcher. ~ Stating that no adversarial positions between .local, government levels .were appropriate, J'ie said that any concerns about matters of County equity should be addressed to the County Comiaissioriers, rather than loco]. councils: Mayor Kinnaird asked whether the .Town df Hillsborough paid Orange County for inspection services, M$yar Johnson stated that these . - L. ..- -, _ _.._ Tom of Chapel Hill Fax:919-967-8406 May 16 '95 11:28 P. 02/05 2 September 29, 1994 costs were passed through administratively. Mayor Kinnaird inquired whether the Town of earrboro chargcct an extra recreation fee for Orange County residents. Mr. Morgan said nc5.. Mayor Kinnaird asked whether the Orange County sb:eriff provided patrol services to "donut hole" anriexat.ion areas.. Mr. Morgan said yes. Mayor Rinnaird inquired about law enforcement costs outlined on page ten of Mr. Wicker's report. Mr. Wicker said these dollar transfers bad eat been specifically e~camined in his ana~.ysis. iKr. Horton called upon Mr. Baker to present an alternate analysis of equity matters. Mr. Raker said it wars quite difficult to determine tax attr~.butian at the local level: xe stated that. it was virtually impossible to sort out how tax dollars were paid .and received. Mr. Raker noted that the distribution formula for sales taxes was enacted by the General Assembly, with two one-half cent sales taxes collected on a statewide bass and distributed locally on a per capita basis, Alderman Bryan as3ced whether Mr.'B,aker.had any co~ents.about net transfers. Mr. Baker said the same amount of taxes was being .assigned twice. He added that the decision on how to distribute tax revenues was made an a statewide basis by the General Assembly. Council Member Capowski requested additional information about .per capita income figures for orange County and Ioca~, towns. Mr. Feller said the average income of Chapel Hill Torn residents was 19.3 higher than for other Orange county residents. Re stated that there was no way~~t4 perform such as an ecanamic analysis for town and son-town residents. Council Member Capowski said although the University of North Carolina had a large payroll and budget, it did not pay property taxes to the; Town. He inquired ]sow these factors were included in.Mr. Wicker's analysis. Mr. Wicker stated that taxes paid to Orange County bffeet the~eost of local rarviees consumed by University eta~rloyeas. Commissioner Carey said .although the University and Hospital did not havQ to pay local, property taxes, they both contributed to the local economy with exp~ariditures from their respective budgets. Council lYlemb$r Evans noted that the Town also reaeivecl tax revenues from the sale of beer and wine. Commissioner Carey inquired whether Ioca~, elected officia~.s were interested in contipuing~ discussions about funding. of recreat~.on and library programs. Council Member Protzman inquired whether all governments felt that they were getting the short er~d of the stick in terms of revenues. Alderman Gigt stated that a principal role of local elected officials .was. to protect the hest interests ~of; their constituents. Commis~$ioner Car~y~stated that some residents of unincorporated areas had strung feelings that the world appeared to revolve around chapel Hill. lie said orange .County Commiasioners~ placed a consistent emphasis vn providing ,equitable services to. all County residents. Alderman Gist said she was eat trying to=cast stones. She added that residents of unincorporated areas in ara;nge County appeared to be getting the short ertd of the stack in terms the provisions of services. Touxi of Chapel Hill Fax:919-967-$406 May 16 '95 11:28 P. 03/05 ~ September 29,.1994 Comtitission~r Insko said she agreed with the general presentations this evening about the difficulty of determining overall local tax equities, She stated that the primary questions vere~ where efficiencies could be achieved in 1oaal government services and hQw each government could receive its fair share of tax revenues. Mayor Brown said it was difficult to make these types of determinations about service efficiencies_ He' stated that libraries and parks and rocreation facilities came tv mind as possible.prvgrams for achieving same levels of greater efficiency: Alderman Anderson said seventeen years Ago the Town of Carrb©ro had e}tecuted an agreement with orange County concerning the provision of recreation services. He suggested that the Town of C.arrboro consider the possibility of exploring greater County funding far Town recreation services. ~ Alderman And~:rson asked why OWASA was not included ~in Mr. Wicker's analysis. Mr~.~ Wicker said OWASA. wan not a general government service. Commissioner Carey said residents of cedar Grove did not feel they were as well treated as residents of .chapel. Hill regarding library ser~rices. ~ He also stated that residents of unincorporated areas did not feel that they f2t~ed as well as residents of incorporated areas in terms of governmental services received. Council Member Waldorf said she .hoped that the Assembly Of Governments could reach a ~cc~nceptual agreement for long-range planning of recsreational facilities as a. means of achieving. savings and efficiency . Mayor Johnson said the Town of Hillsborough wanted to~work with Orange County to create smaller community parlts.~ Alderman Gist ,said ~.t wan a goad idea ~. to ;examine the, possibility of . achieving efficiencies in the.p~ovision of recreation facilities and services. She proposed that an equity committee, consisting of representatives from .local governments, be established to e~camine a variety of equity-related~issues~. Mayor Brown stated that it was a very goad idea to examine both equity and efficiency issues,. pasribly achieving efficiencies in purchasing, especially Of reCycied goods. Commissioner Insko said.~~she liked the i~dea.of atte;nrpting to find more service efficiencies. Mayor Brown noted that local government staff members were exploring ways to acshieve efficiencies and save money in areas ,such as purchasing. :Council Member Powell said she also favcired cooperation between local gaverrmaents to achieve tax savings and efficiencies in the provision of services such as parks and r~creatiun and housing, Commissioner Carey suggested that it might 'better serve all 1ccal government units to consider .the possibility of joint capita3 and t~perating plans for some services. Alderman Andersor- expressed his support far undertaking this effort as soon as possible.. Alderman Town of Chapel Hil] Fax:919-967-$406 May 16 '95 11:29 P.04~05 ~ September 2'9, 1994 Gist said she favored having a guided principle of fairness and equity for all orange County residents. Mr. Link suggested that the Assembly of Gouernmeztt consider having the Chapel Hill-Carrbaro and Orange County School Boards i.ndluded in the proposed process. Commissionor Carey said. this was an excellent suggestion. Commissioner Insko said consideration 0f tDe fairnese~ issue was important.' Council Member Por~rell said ~although~ she believed in fairness and :equity, she wandered who would decide what was fair and equitabi.e.. Mayor Johnean emphasized the importanoe of local elected officials responding to the concerns of constituents about the provision of local services. Mayor Kinnairri said Mr. Wicker's analysis had concluded that .tax equity was a complex subject with, many subtleties and unrsertainties. She Hated that it was difficult to achieve coxap3ete equity in-providing serv~,ces. Mayox Broun suggested that staff of the 10081 governments make a proposal about ways of. wrark.ing together iii terms of possible joint recreation programs and capital matters. He alsc~~suggested that local governtaent staffs make a recommendation to their elected boards on,th~se items. Mayor Brvun stated that staff might also make recommendations concerning purchasinc~3oatters.at some time in the future. Noting that a~recent bond election for recreational facilities in the Town af- Carrbors~ had failed, Mayor. Kinnaird stated that the lack cif adequate. recreational facilities posed a very serious problem in the communit~.•.COUncil~Member Evans. said she hoped that .local government bodies would continue efforts to develop regional greent~rays and major habitat Corridors. Mayor Johnson stated a new school planned in Hillsborough.would have a gymnasium and playing fields which would offer recreational opportunities for young people. Cam~i$sioner Carey said there appeared to be a consensus among elected officials to ask the local. government staffs to teaks recommendations to the~:r govex-ning bodies $bout.oppartunities for joint planning and capital for reaxeatitrn services. COUnGi1 Member Brown said the matter t~f ~nc~~ determiries fair»ess criteria was very complicated.~•..She emphasized the importance~crf elected officials assuring a continuing balance between the provision of good quality services for a livable community while. maintaining progeny tax rates which were $s low as possible. Commissioner Carey said he hoped that local government staffs were constantly working on ways ~ to maze their operations more ~+efficient. Tom of Chapel Hill Fax~919-967-8446 May 16 '95 11~3D P.051d5 5 September 29, 1994 Mayor »innaird said she was interested in having staffs .examine poshibilities for future point purchasing opportunities, Carrboro Town Manager Moxgan said it was a good idea to include the two loc2il school districts in these equity matters. Mayor Braun said this was the consensus of the Assembly of Go~vernm~nts. Alderman Anderson expressed .concern about gaps in existing reoreation.programs for young people. I3e suggested that the local governments of Orafigi~ County work together to addressthese concerns: Mayor Kinnaizcl noted that the Youth Committee of the Violent Grime. and Drug .Abuse program was attempting to develop programs to address these concerns. ~~ouncil Member Waldorf ,said she wassomewhat encouraged lay some existing programs directed toward addressing the needs of community youth. Council Member Evans added that a number of smaller youth-ar'ierited programs were having posi.tiv~ community impaGt$. Alderman Anderson said. it was important to explore starting additional good quality programs for young people.. Gaiami.ssioner Carey stated that the best model was~to provide after-school programs fvr youth. Council Member Powell said. it was important to note that not every young person or teenager wanted to be involved i~n•team sports activities. Mayor Braun thanked Mr. Wicker for his presentation. He also noted that the Council eras in the process of forming a t7aiversity Land- Use Plan Advisory Committee conEezning the possible future development of the Mason Farm and Horace William tracts. Mayor Hroun suc3gested that the Town of Carrboro and Orange County might wish to be represented Qn the con~aittee, . The session aoncluded~at 8:13 p.m.