HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES-2011-036 Resolution Expressing Orange County’s Opposition To Senate Bill 462 and House Bill 574~~~ ~~~~
RES - 2011 - 036
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Resolution Expressing Orange County's Opposition To Senate Bill 462 and
House Bill 574 Regarding Redirection of Excise Tax Proceeds Away from
North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund and Natural Heritage Trust
Fund
Whereas, the provision of parks, recreation and open spaces protects quality of
life and. enhances public health by promoting outdoor activity, sports and
exercise opportunities, as well as immense social, natural and economic benefits
and an appreciation of our natural resources; and
Whereas, the North Carolina F'arks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) and the
Natural Heritage Trust Fund (NHTF) were created to preserve natural areas,
protect water quality, create and expand parks, trails and game lands; and
Whereas, legislators created these trust funds nineteen years ago and
recognized the economic importance of balancing conservation and
development, and in so doing dedicated a funding source for the trust funds,
which receive almost all of their funding from the deed stamp excise tax from the
sale of real estate; and
Whereas, Orange County has specifically benefited from funding assistance for
the acquisition of parks and open space, the construction of parks and recreation
facilities, and the protection of important natural areas and wildlife habitat -
receiving $1.25 million in PARTF grants since 2000 for Little River Regional Park
and Natural Area, Cedar Grove Park and the long-awaited and recently opened
Fairview Park - as well as other facilities within the municipalities of Orange
County (including a future segment of the Mountains to Sea Trail); and
Whereas, new legislation filed in the North Carolina House (HB 574) and Senate
(SB 462) would take away half of the dedicated funding for the Parks and
Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) and the Natural Heritage Trust Fund (NHTF),
redirecting this revenue to the North Carolina Housing Trust Fund largely as a
result of lobbying by homebuilders and realtors groups; and
Whereas, tourism in North Carolina generated $17 billion in 2010,much of which
comes from visitors to state parks, beaches and outdoor areas -areas that exist
thanks to investment from these trust funds, and tourism brings $150 million
annually to Orange County, much of it recreation-related; and
Whereas, a study by the Trust for Public Land found that investing in
conservation lands more than pays for itself with every $1 invested in land
conservation returning $4 in economic value from natural resource goods and
services alone; and
Whereas, NHTF and PARTF revenues are already down significantly due to the
real estate slowdown, and the permanent 50% cut that would result from HB 574
and SB 462 would mean that essential conservation projects will not be funded,
harming the State's tourism economy, leading to dirtier water and air, and result
in a massive decline of parkland, park facilities and/or gamelands;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of
Commissioners expresses its opposition to Senate Bill 462 and House Bill 574
and any other similar legislation that attempts to redirect funding away from the
Parks and Recreation Trust Fund and the Natural Heritage Trust Fund, which
perform critically-important roles in protecting North Carolina's natural resources
and parks and open space.
This the 12th day of April 2011. ~~~
Bernadette Pelissier, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners