HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 05-13-2010 - 2ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: May 13, 2010
Action Agenda
Item No. a
SUBJECT: Triangle Transit Regional Half-Cent Sales Tax, Vehicle Registration Fee, and
County Transit Plans
DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Karen Lincoln, Transportation Planner,
245-2580
Craig Benedict, Planning Director,
245-2592
PURPOSE: To receive presentations by Orange County staff, Triangle Transit and Chapel Hill
Transit regarding planning efforts to develop an Orange County Transit/Financial Plan.
BACKGROUND: The North Carolina General Assembly approved a local option for counties in
the Triangle region (Wake, Durham and Orange) to levy an additional half-cent sales tax to be
used for regional transit, including local transit services in support of the regional service. This
'h cent local option is subject to approval by referendum (potentially in Fall 2011). The
legislation also. allows the Board of Commissioners to impose a $10 vehicle registration fee in
advance of the referendum. Funds from both options must be used according to a financial
plan that must be approved in advance. Triangle Transit will also provide a $460,000 annual
contribution from the regional rental car tax. The estimates of revenue have varied, but
approximately $5 million has been projected from the 'h cent option and $1 million from the
registration fee.
There are primarily four aspects to the regional transit plans:
1. The local option revenue projections and financial scenarios;
2. Regional transit plans (Special Transit Advisory Commission recommendations,
Metropolitan Planning Organizations' 2035 Long Range Transportation Plans);
3. Transit services operating programs; and
4. Transit Plans for each of the three counties in the Triangle Transit service area, which
explain where and how the money will support public transit (light rail, expanded support
for bus service, commuter rail, etc.).
Triangle Transit, the two regional Metropolitan Planning Organizations and local officials in the
Triangle have been meeting to review revenue projections and the best use of revenue
collected to implement transit projects in the region. This information will be critical in gaining
support for a transit sales tax, which is being coordinated through a Public Information Steering
Committee. Planning & Inspections Director Craig .Benedict is a member of the Steering
Committee. Regular updates will be brought forward to the BOCC.
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Chapel Hill Transit has been working with the regional transit group to develop a transit plan for
Orange County based on the approved 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan for the Durham-
Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization. These presentations will bring the
Board up to date on this endeavor.
Orange County must approve the financial plan that details the projects and timeline for which
the sales tax would be used and hold the referendum in order for Triangle Transit, the regional
transit authority, to take advantage of the '/2-cent sales tax local option. The County would use
the sales tax revenue to contract transit services through the regional and local transit agencies
according to the adopted transit financial plan.
The County must be involved in the comprehensive planning for the Orange County Transit
Plan to ensure transit needs for all of Orange County are addressed in a manner that County
residents can support, and through collaborative relationships with transit providers.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no immediate financial impact with developing the
transit/financial plan. Long term, the County will need to consider additional funding beyond the
'/2-cent sales tax to support continued transit services in the County's jurisdiction.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board:
1. Receive the presentations;
2. Review provisions of the scenarios developed by Chapel Hill Transit that call for some of
the new revenues to be used for operating existing systems and more importantly a
supplemental level of financial support beyond the local sales tax and motor vehicle fee
(local funding resources) to be used to subsidize transit operations. The Board may
want to discuss these aspects in more detail; and
3. Provide further direction to staff as desired.