HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES-2010-073 Resolution Supporting the November 2, 2010 Quarter Cent Sales Tax Referendum ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
A Resolution Supporting the November 2, 2010 One-Quarter Cent
Sales Tax Referendum and Encouraging Orange County Voters to
Utilize the Referendum as an Opportunity to Broaden and Diversify
the County Tax Base
WHEREAS, Orange County is confronted with significant economic development, public
education, human and social needs caused by demand and expectations for service
excellence; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to provide Orange County taxpayers with responsible alternatives to
reliance upon the property tax to help address these and other concerns for community
improvement and investment; and
WHEREAS, the levy of an Article 46 one-quarter cent County sales and use tax would provide a
new source of revenue and generate approximately $2,300,000 annually for the County; and
WHEREAS, it is vital that Orange County establish a more robust environment for stimulating
and sustaining existing business enterprises, new businesses, and jobs creation; and
WHEREAS, it.is important and intentional that the County partner aggressively with the Towns
of Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Hillsborough and the Cities of Durham and Mebane to shape these
shared interests into economic reality; and
WHEREAS, it is important for Orange County to meet public school needs in a way that reflects
the community support for outstanding public education; and
WHEREAS, quality Library Services and Emergency Medical Services further reflect the values
of a caring and secure community; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners has established a 5-year commitment to allocate
Article 46 one-quarter cent county sales and use tax proceeds as follows:
1. 42.5% will be allocated in an equitable manner between the County's two school systems
dedicated for the purpose of facility improvement at `older' schools within all of Orange
County and the procurement of technology. Each school system will establish a list of
prioritized needs for older-schools within the County. Funding provided by the passage of
the referendum will be allocated to those prioritized projects. Progress will be evaluated
annually and adjustments made according to needs agreed upon by the School Boards
and the Board of County Commissioners.
2. 42.5% will be allocated to economic development efforts including funding infrastructure
improvements needed to recruit new businesses and expand existing businesses;
funding for business loans and grants to grow businesses in Orange County; targeted
business recruitment , retention and expansion efforts; and community branding and
marketing.
3. 15% will be allocated equally to improve Library and Emergency Medical Services over a
five-year period; and
WHEREAS, if additional funding does not come from the one-quarter cent sales and use tax,
the property tax will remain the principal funding source available for public schools, economic
development initiatives, and library and emergency medical services; and
WHEREAS, to distinguish and separate the revenues generated by the one-quarter cent sales
and use tax, if approved by Orange County voters, a Special Revenue Fund will be established
to receive and account for the sales and use tax revenue, with the funds remaining separate
from the County's General Fund to allow more accurate tracking of revenues and expenditures
in accordance with the initial five year allocation plan outlined within this resolution; and
WHEREAS, the Orange County Board of Commissioners strongly asserts its aim to use the
revenues from the Article 46 one-quarter cent sales and use tax, if approved by the voters, for
the needs thus stated for a period of five years, with a scheduled implementation date of April 1,
2011;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Orange County Board of Commissioners
without reservation urges all Orange County voters to seize the opportunity presented on the
November 2, 2010 ballot to vote FOR the local sales and use tax at the rate of one-quarter
percent in addition to all other state and local sales and use taxes in Orange County.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Orange County Board of Commissioners sincerely
calls upon the elected boards of the Towns of Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough and the
Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools and Orange County Schools Boards of Education to adopt
similar resolutions urging resident voters to also avail themselves of the opportunity to vote FOR
the local sales and use tax on the November 2, 2010 general election ballot.
This the 5th day of October, 2010.
Valerie Foushe ,
Orange County Board of Commissioners