HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES-2006-032 Support of Potential Statewide Public Referenda on Land for Tomorrow Bonds, School Construction Bonds & Water & Sewer Bonds~~s-aGa~ _a~ z
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ~ `~ ~~
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Resolution in Support of Potential Statewide Public Referenda on Land for
Tomorrow Bonds, School Construction Bonds, and Water and Sewer Bonds
WHEREAS, there exists a great need for governmental entities to act in many areas in order to
provide effective and efficient services and programs for the short and long-term benefit of
residents across the entire State of North Carolina; and
WHEREAS, Orange County was the first County in the State to endorse the Land for Tomorrow
Initiative; and
WHEREAS, three specific areas that affect the short and long-term health, well-being, and
quality of life for all residents of the State relate to the reservation and protection of natural
resource lands and open space for the long-term benefits and enjoyment of both residents and
visitors to the State; school facilities; and public water and sewer infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, while individual counties, cities, and towns can make incremental strides to
address these three areas, these entities do not retain the resources or maintain the financial
standing to comprehensively address the substantial needs in these areas; and
WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina does retain the resources and financial standing to
provide the necessary framework to address these statewide needs on a statewide level; and
WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina and the North Carolina General Assembly should
provide the necessary leadership, forethought, planning, and direction to address issues that
affect the entire state;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners,
hereby express our support for and encourage the North Carolina General Assembly to pursue
potential statewide public referenda on Land for Tomorrow Bonds, School Construction Bonds,
and Water and Sewer Bonds as follows:
1) The State of North Carolina should conduct a public referendum on Land for Tomorrow
Bonds to provide the necessary capital that local governments can access to secure
and/or protect significant properties, natural resource properties and open space for
the long-term benefit and enjoyment of both residents and visitors to the State.
2) The State of North Carolina should conduct a public referendum on School
Construction Bonds to provide the necessary capital for local funding agencies to
construct additional school facilities to address space demands created by the
expansion of the "More at Four" program, the State-mandated reduced class size
requirements, and incremental student population growth.
3) The State of North Carolina should conduct a public referendum on Water and Sewer
Bonds to provide the necessary capital that local governments can access to address
the maintenance, upgrade, and expansion of public water and sewer infrastructure that
is required in order to provide quality service to an ever-growing population and to
protect the environment. Any entity receiving such funds should be required to adopt
and implement a permanent water conservation plan that will allow both water and
financial resources to be efficiently utilized statewide. Any entities receiving funds
should also be required to establish a plan to share water resources on an emergency
basis with other communities, especially in times of drought.
This the 18th day of April 2006.
Barry Jacob, ha
Orange C my B of ommissioners