HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 04-03-2012 - 6b 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: April 3, 2012
Action Agenda
Item No. (p - b
SUBJECT: Orange County's Proposed 2012 Legislative Agenda
DEPARTMENT: County Commissioners PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) Yes
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
1) Public Hearing Notice Commissioner Earl McKee, 245-2130
Commissioner Barry Jacobs, 245-2130
UNDER SEPARATE COVER
2) Proposed Orange County 2012
Legislative Matters Resolution with
Exhibit- Orange-Alamance County
Line
3) Proposed Orange County 2012
Legislative Matters Resolution with
Exhibit- Broadband Grants for
Economic Development
4) Proposed Orange County 2012
Legislative Matters Resolution on
Statewide Issues with Exhibit
5) Proposed "Areas of Support"and "Items
of Interest"Documents
6) Memorandum from Commissioners
Jacobs and McKee Regarding
Hunting Deer with Dogs Legislative
Item
7) NCACC 2011-12 Adopted Legislative
Goals
PURPOSE: To:
1) Conduct a public hearing on Orange County's potential legislative items for
the 2012 North Carolina General Assembly Session;
2) Review and discuss potential items for inclusion in Orange County's
legislative agenda package for the 2012 North Carolina General Assembly
Session;
3) Approve two proposed legislative matters resolutions with exhibits - Orange-
Alamance County Line and Broadband Grants for Economic Development;
4) Approve one proposed legislative matters resolution on Statewide Issues;
5) Approve the proposed "Areas of Support" and "Items of Interest" documents
as part of the County's 2012 Legislative Agenda package; and
6) Consider identifying three to five specific items from the entire package to
highlight for priority discussion at the April 16, 2012 meeting with Orange
County's legislative delegation.
2
BACKGROUND: The North Carolina General Assembly convenes on Wednesday, May 16,
2012. In past years the Board of Commissioners has appointed finro Commissioners to serve
on a Legislative Issues Work Group (LIWG) to work with staff to develop a proposed legislative
package for the County. Based on the work of the LIWG, the BOCC has then reviewed and
approved packages of legislative items to pursue for the respective North Carolina General
Assembly sessions. Commissioners Earl McKee and Barry Jacobs are serving on the 2012
LIWG and have worked with staff on the proposed 2012 legislative package which is attached.
At its March 13, 2012 regular meeting, the Board approved an item on the Consent agenda
authorizing a public hearing on Orange County's proposed 2012 legislative agenda during
tonight's regular meeting (Attachment 1 - public hearing notice which was published in six
different local newspapers). The notice of the public hearing was also posted on the County's
website for approximately the last ten days.
After conducting the public hearing, the Board will likely want to review and discuss the LIWG's
proposed 2012 legislative package items and any other items as may be addressed during the
public hearing. The Board will then need to consider the legislative matters resolutions with
exhibits and other documents based on the public hearing and Board discussion.
The legislative matters resolutions (Attachments 2 and 3), with draft bills attached as exhibits,
relate to the Orange-Alamance County Line and Broadband Grants for Economic Development.
It should be noted that, as the BOCC considers the Orange-Alamance County Line resolution
and draft bill, the Alamance County Board of Commissioners has not taken any action on this
matter.
The third legislative matters resolution (Attachment 4) for Board consideration addresses
statewide issues. The last finro documents of the proposed package — "Areas of Support" and
"Items of Interest" — detail issues that the LIWG thought should be noted due to their overall
significance and/or interest to Orange County (Attachment 5).
It should also be noted that Commissioners Jacobs and McKee have provided a memorandum
at Attachment 6 addressing a potential hunting deer with dogs legislative item. Although
included in the 2011 legislative package, the LIWG decided to not include the hunting deer with
dogs item in the proposed 2012 legislative package. The memorandum details background
information utilized by the LIWG in determining to not include the item.
Lastly, in preparation for its April 16, 2012 meeting with Orange County's legislative delegation,
the Board may want to consider identifying three to five specific items from the entire package
to highlight for priority discussion.
The work of the Legislative Issues Work Group to this point is based on the current information
available for the 2012 General Assembly Session. The issues addressed by the Group may
evolve and change over the session and require additional attention by the Group and Board of
Commissioners. New issues may also arise necessitating additional review.
For reference purposes, staff has provided the North Carolina Association of County
Commissioners (NCACC),2011-12 Adopted Legislative Goals (Attachment 7). Some of the
items in the draft 2012 legislative package generally coincide with NCACC's goals and those
items are noted in the package accordingly.
3
As an additional note, the Board has had some recent discussions on the exclusion of
concealed weapons at County facilities, and the Board is scheduled to discuss this issue again
on or before its June 5, 2012 regular meeting. The LIWG asked that staff remind Board
members that the Board approved a resolution at its June 21, 2011 regular meeting opposing
House Bill 111 — An Act to Allow Persons with Concealed Handgun Permits to Protect
Themselves and Their Families in Restaurants and to Allow a Concealed Handgun Permittee to
Carry a Handgun in a Park. House Bill 111 was approved by the House in 2011, but was not
approved in the Senate. A number of its provisions were, however, approved as part of House
Bill 650 — Session Law 2011-268.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with holding a public hearing
other than the newspaper advertisement costs which will be addressed within the approved FY
2011-12 budget.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board:
1) Conduct a public hearing on Orange County's potential legislative items for
the 2012 North Carolina General Assembly Session;
2) Close the public hearing;
3) Review and discuss potential items for inclusion in Orange County's
legislative agenda package for the 2012 North Carolina General Assembly
Session;
4) Approve the finro legislative matters resolutions with exhibits — Orange-
Alamance County Line and Broadband Grants for Economic Development;
5) Approve one proposed legislative matters resolution on Statewide Issues;
6) Approve the "Areas of Support" and "Items of Interest" documents as part of
the County's 2012 Legislative Agenda package; and
7) Consider identifying three to five specific items from the entire package to
highlight for priority discussion at the April 16, 2012 meetin with Oran e
9 9
County's legislative delegation.
�I
4
Attachment 1
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
FOR
Tuesday,Apri13,2012 at 7:00 p.m.
A public hearing will be held on Orange County's potential legislative agenda for the 2012 North
Carolina General Assembly Session. The issue areas to be addressed include:
• Orange-Alamance County Line • Broadband Grants for Economic Development
• Revenue and Taxation • County Civil Rights Ordinance—Additional Authority
• Transportation Responsibility • Solid Waste Management Plan Requirements
• Zoning Ordinance Challenges
� Smart Start/More at Four • Energy-Efficiency& Solar • Broadband Service
• Jail/Inmate Reimbursement • Bio-Solids Disposal • Fracking
• Forestry/Agriculture • Environment • E-911 Funds
• Dangerous Dog Appeals • Mental Health • Court Facility Fees
The Board of Commissioners welcomes all comments on all items as may be introduced or
addressed at the public hearing. The meeting is open to the public and will be held on Tuesday,
April 3, 2012 at the Department of Social Services Center at 113 Mayo Street in Hillsborough
beginning at 7:00 p.m. If you need additional information,please call Greg Wilder at 245-2300.
1
DRAFT Attachment 2
RES - 2012 - 035
NORTH CAROLINA
RESOLUTION REGARDING
ORANGE COUNTY LEGISLATIVE MATTER
BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of
Orange County that the Board hereby requests the Senator and
Representatives representing Orange County to introduce and
support the following legislative matter:
l . AN ACT TO ESTABLISH --- THE REMAINING 90 OF THE COMMON
BOUNDARY BETWEEN ALAMANCE COUNTY AND ORANGE COUNTY NOT
ADDRESSED BY SL 2011-88 AND AS AUTHORIZED BY THE NORTH
CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY BY SESSION LAW 2010-61
ENABLING THE CHANGES IN THE HISTORIC ORANGE COUNTY
ALAMANCE COUNTY BOUNDARY LINE AS DESCRIBED IN THE 1849
SURVEY ESTABLISHING ALAMANCE COUNTY (Exhibit A) .
Upon motion of Commissioner , seconded by
Commissioner , the foregoing resolution was adopted
this the 3rd day of April, 2012 .
I, Donna Baker, Clerk to the Board of Commissioners for the
County of Orange, North Carolina, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that the
foregoing is a true copy of so much of the proceedings of said
Board at a meeting held on April 3, 2012 as relates in any way
to the adoption of the foregoing and that said proceedings are
recorded in Minute Book No. of the minutes of said Board.
2
WITNESS my hand and the seal of said County, this 3rd day of
April, 2012 .
Clerk to the Board of Commissioners
3
EXHIBIT A
BILL DRAFT 2012-
1 AN ACT TO ESTABLISH --- THE REMAINING 9% OF THE COMMON BOUNDARY
2 BETWEEN ALAMANCE COUNTY AND OR.ANGE COUNTY NOT ADDRESSED BY SL
3 2011-88 AND AS AUTHORIZED BY THE NORTH CAROLINA GENER.AL ASSEMBLY
4 BY SESSION LAW 2010-61 ENABLING THE CHANGES IN THE HISTORIC ORANGE
5 COUNTY ALAMANCE COUNTY BOUNDARY LINE AS DESCRIBED IN THE 1849
6 SURVEY ESTABLISHING ALAMANCE COUNTY
7 The General Assembly of North Cazolina enacts:
8 SECTION 1. The historic boundary line forming Alamance County from Orange
9 County was described and surveyed in 1849. In the subsequent 160 years, this line became
10 uncertain resulting in unintentional modifications to the boundary line affecting taxation,
11 school attendance, zoning maps, and elections, within and among Alamance County, Orange
12 County and the Town of Mebane, North Carolina. Pursuant to NC Gen. Stat.153A-18(a)
13 entitled `Uncertain or Disputed Boundary', both county commissions passed resolutions
14 (Alamance County, December 17, 2007 and Orange County, January 18, 2008) to request that
15 North Carolina Geodetic Survey (NCGS) perform a preliminary re-survey and present a
16 proposed map for consideration by both counties.
17 SECTION 2. In the 2011 session the General Assembly, through SL 2011-88,
18 ratified and adopted 91% of the boundary line between Alamance County and Orange County.
19 Also in the 2011 session the General Assembly, through SL 2011-87, authorized the Boards of
20 County Commissioners of Alamance County and Orange County to determine the most
21 appropriate location for the remaining 9% of the boundary line.
22 SECTION 3. The General Assembly recognizes the difficulties in addressing the
23 issues associated with adopting a county boundary line and authorizes Alamance County and
24 Orange County to maintain the current taxing, elections, education and any other recognized
25 government functions in place in the transition areas affected by this act, if so needed, until July
26 1, 2013.
27 SECTION 4.
28 SECTION 4(a) Except as otherwise provided in this act, on and after January l,
29 2013 all papers, documents, and instruments required or permitted to be filed or registered,
30 involving residents and property in areas affected by the resurvey of the boundary line, which
31 previously may have been recorded in the adjoining counties shall be recorded in the county to
32 which the property has been reassigned by this Act.
33
34 SECTION 4.(c) On and after January 1, 2013, all real and personal property in
35 areas affected by the resurvey of the boundary line, which was subject to ad valorem ta�ation
4
1 on January 1, 2013, sha11 be subject to ad valorem taxes in the county to which the property is
2 reassigned for the fiscal yeax beginning July 1, 2013, to the same extent as it would have been
3 had it been correctly recognized by the t� departments of each county on March l, 2013,
4 except as hereinafter provided with respect to classified registered motor vehicles. On
5 September 1, 2012, the adjoining County T� Administrators shall commence the transfer to
6 the respective County Tax Assessors the ad valorem tax listings and valuations for all real and
7 personal property subject to ad valorem ta.��ation in areas affected by the resurvey of the
8 boundary line except classified motor vehicles which were registered in the adjoining counties
9 prior to July 1, 2012. For the fiscal year which begins July l, 2012, all real and personal
10 property in areas affected by the resurvey of the boundary line, which was subject to ad
11 valorem t�ation in that area on January 1, 2013, shall be assessed and taxed as follows:
12 (1) The ad valorem property t�es assessed on all classified registered motor
13 vehicles registered or listed in adjoining counties between January 1, 2012,
14 and March l, 2013, shall be collected by the appropriate adjoining county
15 tax collector and all such taxes shall be retained by that adjoining county.
16 T'he t�es on all classified registered motor vehicles registered after March 1,
17 2013, shall be assessed and collected by the County Tax Department in the
18 county to which the real property wherein the classified registered motor
19 vehicles are situated has been reassigned.
24 (2) The values established by the particular adjoining County Tax Administrator
21 on all personal property other than classified registered motor vehicles shall
22 be used by the each County T� Assessor without adjustment in computing
23 taxes due for the fiscal year beginning July l, 2013. All such taxes shall be
24 assessed and collected by the appropriate County T�Department.
25 (3) For the interim time period between the reassignment of properties into their
26 respective counties and until such time as the next regularly scheduled
27 revaluation period, Alamance County and Orange County may select either
28 of two methods of valuating the property reassigned into their respective
29 counties by this act. The selection of either method by a County shall not
30 give any individual or entity grounds for challenging such temporary
31 valuation. Such methods are delineated as follows:
32 a. The values established by the adjoining County T� Administrators
33 on all real property formerly t�ed in their county shall be adjusted
34 by the appropriate County T� Assessor by applying the difference
35 between one hundred percent (100%) of such values and the
36 appropriate County median ratio, as established by the Sales
37 Assessment Ratio Study compiled by the North Cazolina Department
38 of Revenue as of January 1, 2009. The taxes determined by applying
39 this method will be collected and retained by the appropriate County
40 T� Collector. The value of such properiy shall then be revalued
41 according to the regularly scheduled revaluation period for each
42 County.
43 b. The values established by the adjoining County Tax Administrators
44 on all real property formerly t�ed in their county shall be adopted by
45 the appropriate County T� Assessor upon the transition of property
46 to the acljoining County. The valuation of such property shall then be
47 revalued according to the regularly scheduled revaluation period for
48 each County.
49 (4) Beginning January 1, 2014, all property in areas affected by the resurvey of
50 the boundary line, which is subject to ad valorem t�ation shall be listed,
51 assessed, and taxed by the appropriate County Tax Administrator in the
2
5
1 same manner as is prescribed by law for all other property located within
2 each County.
3 (5) The final ta�� values of property subject to ad valorem ta��ation in areas
4 affected by the resurvey of the boundary line as of January 1, 2014, shall be
5 detemuned by the adjouung County Tax Administrator. Appeals to the
6 North Carolina Property Tax Commission or to the courts by property
7 owners of properties affected by the boundary line change sha11 be defended
g by both counties and both counties sha11 be responsible for their costs and
9 expenses, including attorneys' fees, incurred in connection with such
10 appeals.
11 (6) Any unpaid taxes or tax liens for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013, or for
12 prior years on properiy subject to ta�cation in areas affected by the resurvey of the boundary line
13 shall continue to be valid and enforceable by the respective adjoining county, including the
14 foreclosure remedies provided for in G.S. 105-374 and G.S. 105-375, and the remedies of
15 aitachment and garnishment provided for in G.S. 105-366 through G.S. 105-368. The
16 Alamance County and Orange County T� Administrators shall supply one another with a list
17 of unpaid t�es for properties in areas of the boundary line affected by the resurveys for the t�
18 year 2012 on or before July 1, 2013. Any such ta��es collected by either county shall be
19 promptly paid to the appropriate adjoining county including accrued interest. The provisions of
20 G.S. 105-352 (d) sha11 not apply to: Those areas in adjoining county previously taxed by either
21 County outside the areas affected by the resurvey of the boundary line, that shall forthwith be
22 properly listed and taxed in the county to which they have been reassigned by this Act; and
23 those areas within each county that were in the past improperly listed and ta��ed by the
24 adjoining counties due to uncerta.inty as to the exact location of the true historic Alamance
25 County Orange County boundary line.
26 SECTION 4.(d) No cause of action, including criminal actions, involving persons
27 or property in areas affected by the resurvey of the boundary line which is pending on July l,
28 2013, shall be abated, and such actions shall continue in the appropriate adjoining county. In
29 no event sha11 a defense to a criminal act be maintained where such defense alleges a lack of
30 jurisdiction due to any act or failure to act related to the adjustment of the boundary line by this
31 act regardless of when such criminal act is alleged to have accrued.
32 SECTION 4.(e) The Board of Elections of each adjoining county sha11, effective
33 July l, 2013, transfer the voter registration records pertaining to persons residing in areas
34 affected by the resurvey of the boundary line and located in either county to the adjoining
35 county's Board of Elections, and thereafter the registered voters so transferred shall be validly
36 registered to vote in that adjoining county.
37 SECTION 4.(� The Jury Commission of each adjoining county shall revise its jury
38 lists to add to or eliminate therefrom those persons subject to jury duty who reside in areas
39 affected by the resurvey of the boundary line, said revised jury lists to be effective July 1, 2013.
40 SECTION 5. Any properties affected by SL 2010-61 or this Act and which are subject
41 to ta��ation under NC Gen. Stat. §105-274 and which were taxed by both the Alamance County
42 and Orange County ta.xing authorities on or after January l, 2007 are hereby granted the
43 following relief:
44 SECTION 5 (a). Property owners of any such dually taxed properties may,pursuant to
45 the terms of NC Gen. Stat. §105-381, demand refund andlor release of taxes paid to the county
46 from which their property, or portion thereof, was transitioned.
47 SECTION 5 (b). Any claim for relief pursuant to this Section and under the terms of
48 NC Gen. Stat. 105-381 may be made for t�es assessed January 1, 2007 through December 31,
49 2012. All such claims for relief must be made in writing to the county from which the affected
50 property was transitioned on or before February 28, 2013.
3
6
1 (1) Should a claim for relief pursuant to this Section not be made by
2 February 28, 2013 such claim is waived and no further relief shall be
3 granted pursuant to this or any other Act.
4 (2) Alamance County and Orange County shall not grant refunds or
5 releases pursuant to this Section for any claims made after February
6 28, 2013 and are released from all liability, and no court action shall
� be maintained, for any such claims made for any act or failure to act
g pursuant to this Section.
9 SECTION 5 (c). The provisions of this Section shall apply only to properties
10 transitioned or reassigned from one county to the other, in whole or in part, by the resurveys of
11 individual qualifying properties pursuant to SL 2010-61 and this Act.
12 SECTION 5 (d). For purposes of this section only, the term property owner shall
13 include any builder or developer which paid property taxes on real property to both counties
14 and subsequently sold said property or which, as part of an escrow agreement in which the
15 buyer of such property paid taxes to one county and the builder or developer who sold the
16 property,paid ta�ces on the same piece of property to the adjoining county.
17 SECTION 5 (e). The taxing authorities of Alamance County and Orange County shall
18 notify property owners affected by this Section of the terms of this Section within 30 days of
19 ratification of this Act. Such Notice shall be by United States Ma.il at the mailing address to
20 which any tax bills were previously submitted. No other notice is or shall be required.
21 SECTION 6. Any child who was a resident of any area reassigned by this act on its
22 date of ratification and who was a student in the Orange or Alamance school system during the
23 2011-2012 school year, and the siblings of any such person, may attend school in the same
24 school system they attended in the 2011-2012 school year without necessity of a release or
25 payment of tuition. Any such student, while attending the Orange County school system, shall
� 26 be considered a resident of Orange County for all public school purposes, including
27 transportation, athletics, and funding formulas. Any such student, while attending the
28 Alamance County School system, shall be considered a resident of Alamance County for all
29 public school purposes, including transportation, athletics and funding formulas. Notice must
30 be given to all affected school systems by the parent or guardian in order to exercise the ,
31 privilege granted by this section.
32 SECTION 7. The establishment of a county boundary line is, pursuant to Article VII
33 Section 1 of the North Carolina Constitution, the sole responsibility of the North Carolina
34 General assembly. Further, it is vital to the State of North Carolina and all affected local
35 governments that county boundary lines be fixed and any uncertainty as to the location of
36 county boundary lines be resolved. For this reason and in the interest of justice neither
37 Alamance County nor Orange County, nor any agent, employee, or appointed or elected official
38 thereof, shall be liable to any individual, group, organization, for profit or not for profit
39 business entity of any kind, governmental entity or agency of any type or kind, for any
40 damages, costs, fees or fines, and no court action shall be maintained against said counties,
41 officials, employees and agents, for any recommendation, act, fa.ilure to act, or conduct related
42 to SL 2010-61, SL 2011-88, or this Act andJor the adoption of a fixed boundary line separating
43 the two counties. Except as set out in Section 5 above, and effective upon ratification of this
44 Act, Alamance County and Orange County, their o�cials, employees and agents, are released
45 from all liability for any claims made, and no court action shall be maintained against said
46 officials, employees and agents, for any act or failure to act pursuant to the terms of this Act,
47 SL2011-88, or SL 2010-61 and no further relief shall be granted or cause of action sustained
48 except as provided herein.
49 SECTION 8. Should any provision of SL 2010-61 as amended by SL 2011-88
50 conflict with any provision of this Act the provisions of this Act shall control. This Act does
51 not amend any provision of SL 2011-88.
4
1 SECTION 9. Pursuant to Article VII Section 1 of the North Carolina Constitution any 7
2 boundary line between Alamance County and Orange County previously surveyed, recognized,
3 adopted, described, utilized or ratified, save and except the 91% of the boundary line adopted
4 by SL 2011-88, is modified as set forth herein upon ratification of this Act.
5 SECTION 10. Pursuant to Article VII Section 1 of the North Carolina Constitution -
6 the official boundary line regarding the remaining nine percent of the line separating Alamance
7 County and Orange County as shown in a plat recorded in Plat Book at Page
8 Ora,nge County Registry, and Alamance County Registry, is hereby formally
9 recognized and adopted by the North Carolina General Assembly.
10 SECTION 11. Upon completion of the resurveys in compliance with this Act and as
11 described and shown in Plat Book at Page , Orange County Registry, and
12 Alamance County Registry, the survey plats reflecting the boundary line shall be
13 filed in the o�ce of the North Carolina Secretary of State as provided in North Carolina
14 General Staxute §153A-18(a).
15 SECTION 12. This act is effective when ratified.
16
5 .
DRAFT Attachment 3 �
RES - 2012 - 036
NORTH CAROLINA
RESOLUTION REGARDING
OR.ANGE COUNTY LEGISLATIVE MATTER
BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of
Orange County that the Board hereby requests the Senator and
Representatives representing Orange County to introduce and
support the following legislative matter:
l . AN ACT TO ADD ORANGE COUNTY TO S.L. 2011-163
AUTHORIZING NASH COUNTY TO PROVIDE GRANTS TO PROMOTE
BROADBAND IN UNSERVED AREAS FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
IN THE COUNTY (Exhibit A) .
U on m
otion of Comm'
p lssioner , seconded by
Commissioner , the foregoing resolution was adopted
this the 3rd day of April, 2012 .
I, Donna Baker, Clerk to the Board of Commissioners for the
County of Orange, North Carolina, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that the '
I
foregoing is a true copy of so much of the proceedings of said
Board at a meeting held on April 3, 2012 as relates in any way
to the adoption of the foregoing and that said proceedings are
recorded in Minute Book No. of the minutes of said Board.
WITNESS my hand and the seal of said County, this 3rd day of
April, 2012 .
Clerk to the Board of Commissioners
EXHIBIT A 2
BILL DRAFT 2012-
1 AN ACT TO ADD ORANGE COUNTY TO S.L. 2011-163 AUTHORIZING NASH
2 COUNTY TO PROVIDE GRANTS TO PROMOTE BROADBAND IN UNSERVED
3 AREAS FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 1N THE COUNTY.
4
5 The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
6 SECTION 1. A county may provide grants to unaffiliated providers of high speed
7 Internet broadband for the purpose of expanding service in unserved areas for economic
8 development in the county. The grants shall be awarded on a technology neutral basis, shall be
9 open to qualified applicants, and may require matching funds by the private provider. The
10 county shall use only unrestricted general fund revenue for the grants.
11 SECTION 2. Nothing in this act authorizes a county to provide high speed Internet
12 broadband service.
13 SECTION 3. This act applies only to Nash County and Orange County.
14 SECTION 4. This act is effective when it becomes law.
15
DRAFT Attachment 4
1
RES - 2012 - 037
NORTH CAROLINA
RESOLUTION REGARDING
ORANGE COUNTY LEGISLATIVE MATTERS
BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of
Orange County that the Board hereby requests the Senator and
Representatives representing Orange County take the following
positions on legislation regarding the following Statewide
matters:
1) * Revenue Options for I�ocal Government - Support
legislation that authorizes any local government to
enact any revenue source that is presently available to
one or more local governments in the state. Local
governments have experienced significant budget cuts in
recent years . Providing flexibility regarding revenue
options to fund local government services will allow
local governments to tailor their respective funding
plans based on individual needs and goals;
2) * County Responsibility for Roads - Oppose legislation
shifting the state' s existing responsibility for
funding transportation construction and maintenance
projects to county governments . However, if the
responsibility or the sharing of responsibility for
2
secondary road improvements and/or the maintenance of
roads is required of county governments, then Orange
County requests that counties also be given the
authority to levy fees, tolls, and other charges as may
be necessary to provide funding to address this new
responsibility. A new responsibility should include
new revenue opportunities to accomplish the identified
needs;
3) * Bio-solids Disposal - Support legislation which
provides county governments some opportunity to
regulate and/or have input into, but not prohibit, bio-
solids application activities, including the acceptable
"classes" of bio-solids for application and the
prohibition of bio-solids application in certain �
environmentally sensitive areas such as critical
watersheds . The appropriate application of bio-solids
for agricultural use should be allowed with counties
playing a role in the process;
4) Energy Efficiency Standards in Local Building Codes -
Support changes in State law to allow local governments
to include standards for energy efficiency in local
building codes that are higher than those contained in
the State Building Code;
3
5) * Broadband - Support legislation, funding, and other
efforts to expand broadband capability to the un-served
and under-served areas of the State to enhance quality
of life as well as expand opportunities for jobs
creation, small business development, and growth in
farm enterprises . Orange County opposes legislation
limiting local governments' efforts to provide
broadband and supports legislation and regulations that
would preserve local option and authority where needed
to deploy community broadband systems and ensure
community access to critical broadband services (Also
see 2012 Orange County Resolution with Draft Bill
concerning the addition of Orange County to Session Law
2011-163 authorizing Broadband Grants for Economic
Development) ;
6) Sales Tax Exemption - Support legislation to exempt �
counties, cities, school boards, community colleges,
and the Orange Water & Sewer Authority from payment of
state and local sales taxes on purchases within North
Carolina. The legislation should contain a provision
permitting the state to repay the last refund over a
multi-year period to minimize state budget impacts .
Alternatively, Orange County supports legislation to
4
fully restore public schools' access to sales tax
refunds;
7) Smart Start and More at Four - Orange County supports
efforts to secure needed and stable funding, enhanced
quality early care and education, and family access and
benefits in settings public and private. The County
advocates sustaining teacher quality; evidence-based
learning objectives; healthy life styles; and community
engagement . Quality early childhood has proven to help
alleviate the achievement gap; curb the need for costly
services (including special education) ; and reduce
societal cost by increasing graduation rates. Orange
County Schools and Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
are ardent allies, equally concerned about State
actions that could negatively impact local
implementation. Orange County remains strongly
supportive of the Orange County Partnership for Young
,
Children in the effective administration and evaluation
of services reaching all children throughout the
County. (Exhibit A is a summary from Partnership
Director Margaret Samuels . )
* This item generally coincides with a similar North Carolina Association of
County Commissioners (NCACC) 2011-12 Legislative Goal.
5
Upon motion of Commissioner , seconded by
Commissioner , the foregoing resolution was adopted
this the 3rd day of April, 2012 .
I, Donna Baker, Clerk to the Board of Commissioners for the
County of Orange, North Carolina, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that the
foregoing is a true copy of so much of the proceedings of said
Board at a meeting held on April 3, 2012 as relates in any way
to the adoption of the foregoing and that said proceedings are
recorded in Minute Book No. of the minutes of said Board.
WITNESS my hand and the seal of said County, this day
of , 2012 .
Clerk to the Board of Commissioners
EXHIBIT A 6
Orange County Partnership for Young Children
Margaret Samuels,Executive Director
Smart Start NC Pre K Information
Smart Start 2012-2013:
• Maintain Smart Start funding or increase funding to prior year levels.
• Continue the focus on developmentally appropriate early literacy and evidence
based programs for early care, education and services.
• Increased funds will allow OCPYC to fund necessary programs in our community
and expand funding to Early Intervention/Health and Family Support projects
which were decimated in last yeaz's Smart Start budget cycle due to drastic cuts.
Support parents and community with programs that reach all children.
• Continue the waitlist reduction in the upcoming year. In 2011-2013, the County
waitlist for child care subsidy has been reduced to minimal from a high of 650
children. This is the first time in several years that hundreds of children have not
been waiting for child care subsidy in Orange County.
• Enhance and maintain quality in eazly care and education in all setting(public and
private)by supporting teacher quality; evidence based learning objectives; healthy
life styles and community engagement.
NC Pre K(MAF)2012-2013:
� Support and increase funding to serve more children in quality eazly education.
• NC Pre K should continue to be offered in a variety of setting including child
care,public schools,head start, etc. Maintaining this diversity allows the
m�imum of parent choice and funding.
• Maintain the current definition of"at-risk". At a time when more children are
living in poverty,more NC Pre K slots need to be available for children.
OCPYC in conjunction with school districts, CHTOP Head Start and 3 private child care
centers continue to work collaboratively to provide some of the best quality Pre K
services in the state. Both Chapel Hill Carrboro City School and Orange County School
Districts are aware of state issues and concerns and their impact on local implementation.
The school district is have been supportive of OCPYC and its administration and ,
implementation of NC Pre K in Orange County. '
Conclusion:
I want to thank the Orange County Board of County Commissioners for the opportunity
to give an update on the status of Smart Start and NC Pre K funding. We know that
quality early childhood programs help to alleviate the achievement gap, reduce the need
for costly services including special education, and reduce overall societal cost by
increasing graduation rates. I also want to thank Commissioner Pelissier, County
Manager Clifton and Assistant Manager Harvey for their service to the OCPYC Board as
well as thanking the County Department Directors who serve on our Board and provide
guidance and assistance to eazly childhood services in Orange County.
Please do not hesitate to contact Margaret Samuels, OCPYC Executive Director at 919-
967-9091 or msamuels(a�oran�esmartstart.org if you need any additional information.
1
DRAFT Attachment 5
ORANGE COUNTY
AREAS OF SUPPORT
County Jail System/Housing State Inmates Reimbursement - Orange
County appreciates past efforts, in particular the establishment
last year of a Statewide Misdemeanor Confinement Program to
provide housing for misdemeanants serving periods of confinement
of more than 90 days and up to 180 days . Orange County does not
participate in the program due to limited space in the County
Jail. The Program which houses misdemeanants serving periods of
confinement of more than 90 days and up to 180 days is working,
with Oranqe County inmates routinely transferred out of Orange
County to other facilities. The County continues to seek
legislation to protect the fiscal viability of the county jail
system by reinstating a reimbursement rate for state inmates
housed in county jails and increasing the reimbursement rate for
state inmates awaiting post-trail prison transfer.
Agriculture/Solar Energy - Orange County supports renewable
energy initiatives such as House Bill 495/Senate Bill 473 and
Senate Bill 694 to create a market for agricultural-sourced
energy credits. Both provide incentives for farmers to produce
renewable energy, which will become increasingly important to
preserving and strengthening the agricultural economy and rural
infrastructure as well as maintaining Orange County' s rural
heritage and culture. The lack of continued effective solar
energy incentives is a lost opportunity for all North
Carolinians, but this is especially true for the agricultural
sector. Farmers use a lot of electrical power and are uniquely
positioned to become energy producers . Every south-facing barn
roof is a candidate for a photo-voltaic (PV) array, and farms
usually have open acreage that can support a stand-alone PV
array. NOTE: These bills were approved on first reading in
their respective chambers in 2011 and sent to committees . No
further action occurred and the bills, therefore, did not
survive crossover and are not eligible for consideration in the
2012 short session.
Fracking - Orange County supports legislation which provides
local governments some opportunity to regulate and/or have input
on proposed fracking activities, especially as they affect water
resources; allows for public awareness and comment; and allows
local entities to address issues and concerns that are raised.
2
Authority to Amend the Orange County Civil Rights Ordinance - ,
The Board of Commissioners adopted the Orange County Civil
Rights Ordinance in 1994 with the purpose and policy to promote
the equal treatment of all individuals. In subsequent years, the
County has requested, to no avail, additional legislative
authority to amend the Ordinance to include additional protected
classes . The Orange County Human Relations Commission formally
acted in October 2011 requesting that the Board of Commissioners
take the appropriate steps to amend the Orange County Civil
Rights Ordinance to include sexual orientation and sexual
identity as protected classes . Approximately 89% of Fortune 500
companies prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation,
including Bank of America, Lowe' s, Duke Energy, Branch Banking
and Trust (BB&T) , and Reynolds American (the five largest North
Carolina-based public companies in that order) . Orange County
supports legislative action to provide the County the authority
to include sexual orientation and sexual identity as protected
classes.
E-911 Funds - Orange County appreciates past efforts and
supports future initiatives to expand the uses for these funds
within the public safety disciplines related to emergency
communications and Emergency Medical Services. North Carolina
General Statute (NCGS) 62A-47 Section 9 allowed local
governments to use 50% of the funds in the Emergency Telephone
System to provide for public safety needs, without limitations
imposed under NCGS 62A-46. Public Safety expenditures
authorized under Section 9 must be completed by June 30, 2012 .
Orange County supports permanently extending the authorization
to use E911 funds for all public safety disciplines.
* Mental Health - Orange County supports stable and secure
funding for mental illness, development disabilities, and
substance abuse treatment systems Statewide, and especially
supports efforts and funds to enhance community-based
initiatives.
Land, Water and Agricultural Preservation Funding - Orange
County supports the safeguarding of Park, Agricultural
Preservation, Clean Water and other existing trust funds
established for the protection of the State' s land, water,
agriculture, and special places before they are irreversibly
lost.
3
* Agriculture - Support Conservation of Working Lands and
Farmland Preservation - Orange County supports a conservation
option under the Use Value Program and a revision to the revenue
and acreage requirements of the Use Value Program to address
operations that meet the revenue requirements, but do not meet
the minimum ten acres threshold for agricultural operations .
Sustainable Communities - Orange County appreciates efforts
during the 2010 General Assembly Session to establish the North
Carolina Sustainable Communities Task Force and associated Grant
Fund and supports future efforts to move these initiatives
forward.
* This item generally coincides with a similar North Carolina Association of
County Commissioners (NCACC) 2011-12 Legislative Goal.
DRAFT 4
ORANGE COUNTY
ITEMS OF INTEREST
Statute of Limitations for Challenging Zoning Ordinances
Session Law 2011-384 significantly amended the statute of
limitations for challenging zoning ordinances by providing
that actions challenging the validity of any zoning or
unified development ordinance accrue "when the party
bringing the action first has standing to challenge the
ordinance..." This amendment has the potential to leave
lawfully adopted county ordinances open to challenge
indefinitely. If an individual purchases a piece of
property twenty years after the adoption of a zoning
ordinance, pursuant to this amendment, that individual may
challenge the validity of the zoning ordinance. Orange
County believes a more appropriate statute of limitations
would authorize the bringing of such an action within three
years of the adoption of a zoning ordinance.
Potentially Dangerous Dog Declarations - Appeals Timetable
North Carolina General Statute 67-4 . 1 .0 states that an
"appellate Board shall schedule a hearing within 10 days of
the filing of objections" to a potentially dangerous dog
declaration. The 10-day timetable to convene a hearing
presents a significant challenge. Members of appeals
bodies are community residents with many obligations and it
is often a struggle to schedule meetings within the
mandated 10-day timeframe. Orange County believes it would
be a significant improvement to amend the statute to state
"within 10 working days of the filing of objections".
Solid Waste Management Plan Requirement
North Carolina General Statute 130A-309. 09 (A) (b) requires
units of local government to prepare 10-year solid waste
management plans and update those plans every three years. �
A plan and any changes to it must often be approved by
multiple units of government. One of the primary reasons
for requiring 10-year plans was to measure remaining
landfill space and ensure the future availability of
landfill space. Other State rules now require an annual
survey of all landfill facilities to calculate remaining
space. Together with modern Geographical Information
Systems, there is no need for the 10 year plan to duplicate
this effort. Orange County believes the process for
reporting solid waste operations should be simplified, be
5
made less costly and onerous, and become more relevant for
local governments.
Forestry Notification
Property owners currently do not receive any notification
of impending forestry activities planned for adjoining
properties. Orange County believes the State should at a
minimum implement a courtesy notification process for
adjoining property owners .
Machinery Act
North Carolina property tax law substantially limits the
ability of local governments to address property tax
discrepancies, such as prohibiting the refund of prior
years' taxes paid after a measurement and/or condition
property appraisal error is discovered. Orange County
believes that local governments need more flexibility to
remedy such errors. Just as local governments can recoup
prior years' property taxes from owners for "discoveries",
local governments should likewise be authorized to refund
prior years' taxes paid when situations such as measurement
. and/or condition property appraisal errors are discovered.
Homestead Exemption
Orange County believes Homestead Exemption provisions of
the Machinery Act should be reformed to:
1) provide greater opportunities for low-income
seniors to remain in their homes and not be
displaced due to property tax burdens;
2) eliminate the discriminatory features of the
exemption provisions relating to couples; and
3) address the ineffectiveness of the exemption
provisions in communities where property values ',
increase at substantial rates over short periods j
of time.
* Court Facility Fees
Orange County recently completed an $11 million justice
facility expansion, a substantial investment for the
County. Like other North Carolina counties, the County
receives limited financial support for the construction of
judicial facilities as well as the on-going annual facility
operation and maintenance. As court fees and jail housing
fees are reduced, Orange County believes counties should be
6
authorized to raise Court Facility Fees to help fund
capital or debt service needs associated with ever-
increasing judicial activities.
Open Burning/Burning Permits
Orange County believes the statutes related to open burning
(Chapter 106 Article 78) should be amended to grant
authority to local governments to regulate and prohibit
open burning during periods of hazardous forest fire
conditions, drought periods, or periods of excessive air
pollution. Local fire authorities are best suited to
assess local conditions and determine whether those
conditions pose a threat to the public health, safety, and
general welfare.
Herbicide Use Limitations for Right of Way Maintenance
North Carolina and specifically Orange County benefit
substantially from organic agriculture. The use of
herbicides has a significant negative impact on organic
agriculture. Orange County supports legislation that would
further regulate or prohibit the use of herbicides for the
clearing and maintenance of easements and rights of way by
utilities.
* This item generally coincides with a similar North Carolina
Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) 2011-12 Legislative Goal.
1
Attachment 6
MEMORANDUM
TO: Orange County Board of Commissioners
FROM: Com.missioner Barry Jacobs
Commissioner Earl McKee
DATE: March 27, 2012
RE: Hunting Deer with Dogs Legislative Item for 2012
Orange County's legislative issues package for 2012, as proposed by the Legislative Issues Work
Group (LIWG), will be presented for public hearing and Board of Commissioners approval at the
April 3, 2012 regular Board meeting. The Board-approved package will then be presented to
Orange County's legislative delegation on April 16, 2012 in preparation for the 2012 North Carolina
General Assembly session. As members of the Board-appointed 2012 LIWG, we have considered
various issues to include in the proposed 2012 legislative issues package. One of the issues the
LIWG has not included in the recommended legislative package is a request that the General
Assembly adopt a local bill prohibiting the use of dogs while hunting deer in Orange County. This
memorandum explains the basis for the LIWG's exclusion of that item.
Board members and the public will recall that the County has invested significant time on the
hunting deer with dogs issue in recent years, including receiving input from the public and
discussing the matter at several Board of Commissioners' meetings. For the 2011 General
Assembly session; the Board approved a resolution submitting a draft local bill to Orange County's
legislative delegation. The resolution asked that the delegation pursue adoption of a bill by the
General Assembly prohibiting hunting deer with dogs in Orange County. Senate Bill 35 — Orange
Co./No Hunting Deer with Dogs—was subsequently}ntroduced by Senator Ellie Kinnaird. The bill
was directed to the Senate State and Loca1 Government Committee, but efforts toward adoption by
the General Assembly were not successful.
Board members will also remember that there were several hunting groups in previous years
involved in hunting deer with dogs in Orange County. In some instances, members of these groups
were from outside Orange County. It had been suggested that many of the numerous problems
concerning hunting deer with dogs were very often, but not always, the result of actions by the non-
Orange County residents.
One of the principal groups from outside the County ceased hunting activities in the County prior to
the 2011 hunting season. , This appears to subsequently coincide with a diminished number of
requests for assistance from the public during the 2011 season to addxess hunting deer with dogs
situations. Wildlife Resources Commission stafF in the County reported receiving fewer than five
ca11s related to hunting deer with dogs. The Orange County Sheriff's Department received one call
concerning hunting deer with dogs. And the Orange Countv Animal Services Department initially
received two requests for assistance related to hunting deer with dogs, with only one call tracing
back to an actual hunting deer with dogs issue.
2
It is also worth noting that the County's community outreach and education efforts may have borne
fruit in the reduced friction between property owners and hunters.
The apparent decrease in problems (and associated public concerns) related to hunting deer with
dogs suggested to the LIWG that further pursuit of legislation by the General Assembly may not be
warranted at this time. In addition, through staff, the LIWG previously shared with the Board of
Commissioners its initial thought that the 2012 legislative package should not be too extensive.
With the current atmosphere in the General Assembly, and due to the fact that the General
Assembly is convening for a "Short Session" (a session in which controversial local legislation is
generally not considered), the Work Group believed that the 2012 legislative package should be
limited in size.
With the apparent decrease in public concerns related to hunting deer with dogs, coupled with the
framework to limit the size of the 2012 legislative package, the LIWG decided to not include the
hunting deer with dogs item in the proposed 2012 legislative package. Exclusion or inclusion of the
hunting deer with dogs item is ultimately a decision for the full Board. However, the LIWG does
not believe including it for 2012 is warranted under the present circumstances on the local and state
level.
If following its public hearing and discussion on April 3, 2012, the Board decides that it wishes to
discuss including the hunting deer with dogs issue in the 2012 legislative package, we have attached
a draft resolution and bill similar to last year's materials for Board review and consideration.
DRAFT $
RES - 2012 - 038
NORTH CAROLINA
RESOLUTION REGARDING
ORANGE COUNTY LEGISLATIVE MATTER
BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of
Orange County that the Board hereby requests the Senator and
Representatives representing Orange County to introduce and
support the following legislative matter:
l. AN ACT TO PROHIBIT THE HUNTING OF DEER WITH DOGS IN
ORANGE COUNTY� (Exhibit A) .
Upon motion of Commissioner , seconded by
Commissioner , the foregoing resolution was adopted
this the 3rd day of April, 2012 .
I, Donna Baker, Clerk to the Board of Commissioners for the
County of Orange, North Carolina, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that the
foregoing is a true copy of so much of the proceedings of said
Board at a meeting held on April 3, 2012 as relates in any way
to the adoption of the foregoing and that said proceedings are
recorded in Minute Book No. of the minutes of said Board.
WITNESS my hand and the seal of said County, this 3rd day of
April, 2012 .
Clerk to the Board of Commissioners
Exhibit A 4
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2011 .
S
D
BILL DR.AF'�r 2011-LL-20 [v.3] (Ol/04)
(TffiS IS A DRAFT AND IS NOT READY FOR INTRODUCTIOl�
� 1/25/2011 11:03:35 AM
Short Title: Orange Co./No Deer Hunti.ng With Dogs. (Local)
Sponsors: Senator Kinnaird.
Referred to:
1 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
2 AN ACT TO PROHIBIT THE HUNTING OF DEER WITH DOGS IN ORANGE COUNTY.
3 The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
4 SECTTON 1. It is unlawful to hunt deer or attempt to take deer with the aid of dogs
5 at any ti.me.
6 SECTION 2. Violation of this act is a Class 3 misdemeanor.
7 SECTTON 3. This act is enforceable by Iaw enforcement officers of the Wildlife
8 Resources Com.mission, by sheriffs and deputy sheriffs, and by peace officers with general
9 subject matter jurisdiction.
10 SECTION 4. This act applies only to Orange County.
11 SECTION 5. This act becomes effective October 1, 2012, and applies to acts
. 12 committed on or a$er that date.
.
I�lb(�(d(8��1���(I��I��I��[���IIII�I��III��O ..
2 O 'I � L L 2 O V 3 *
. Attachment 7 . �
NORTH CAROLINA ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY
COMIVIISSIONERS (NCACC) �
2011-12 LEGISLATNE GOA.LS
Top Five Priority Goais
1. Oppose Shift of State Transportation Responsibilities to Counties—Oppose legislation
� to shift the state's responsibility for funding transportation construction and
- maintenance projects to counties.
2. Reinstate ADM and lottery funds for school construction—Seek legislation to fully
reinstate the Average Daily Membership funds and Lottery proceeds to the Public
School Building Capital Fund.
3. Ensure adequate mental health funding
• Seek legis(ation to ensure adequate capacity of state-funded acute psychiatric
beds.
• Oppose legislation to close state-funded beds until there is adequate capacity
statewide. .
� • Seek legislation to maintain the existing levels of state funding for community
mental health services.
4. Preserve the existing local revenue base.
5. Authorize local revenue options—Seek legislation to allow all counties to enact by
resolution or,at the option of the Board of Commissioners, by voter referendum any or
all revenue options from among those that have been authorized for any other county.
2
NCACC Agriculture Policy Statement
Introduction
North Carolina's diverse agricuitural community is helping meet the challenge of furnishing consumers
around the world with food, aquaculture, agricultural, horticultural and forestry products. As North
Carolina's top industry, agriculture and agribusiness account for nearly 25% of North Carolina's Gross
State Produd and total employment. The North Carolina Association of County Commissioners
recognizes the importance of agriculture within North Carolina's diverse economic base.
The constitutional purpose of the Association is "to provide the legislature and the public with
information necessary for the passage of sound legislation beneficial to the administration of county
afFairs and to oppose legislation injurious thereto." Therefore the Association will not utilize its
resources advocating solely on behalf of agricultural interests, but instead will advocate for or against
legislative and regulatory policies that address agricuftural concerns,while simultaneously benefiting the
administration of all counties'affairs.
_ Relationship of Agriculture and Environmental Polity
Agricultural issues related to the environment transcend governmental boundaries and therefore
require close coordination of policy and action by federal, state and local governments. Powers
delegated to the counties for the protection of the public health are important tools for carrying out
measures to protect the land and water resources vital for current and future agricultural endeavors.
The Association will support and encourage policies that call for the efficient and safe use of natural
resources, helping North Carolina's counties remain safe and healthy places in which to live and work.
Agriculture and Tax Policy
Historically, public policy concerns controlled the method of taxation of agricultural property, as with
the taxation of other land uses.Accordingly,the Association will continue to study the impact of various
- financing mechanisms for the assurances of efficiency, equity, and diversification. Whenever possible,
the Association will advocate for tax policies edvantageous to both agricultural interests and the
maintenance of a broad and equitable county tax base.
Agriculture—County Land Use and Local System Initiatives
As North Carolina's urban centers expand into agriculturally oriented land areas, public policy questions
emerge as to the regulation of development patterns. The Association believes strongfy in flexibility of
form and function, and therefore supports local control over land-use decision-making, and its impact
on the agricultural community. Furthermore, the Association supports state policies providing local
options and tools as to the preservation of farmland if they, in fact serve the best interest of all counties.
Finally, the Association will support research, education and outreach with various public and private
partnerships resulting in agricultural development opportunities, sustainable initiatives producing low-
cost food and energy that will in turn create healthy local economies.
Costs of Animal Care
The General Assembly should consider the potential financial impacts of proposed legislation that
increases responsibilities for county animal control operations and/or facilities. Any legislation should
include funding for counties to carry out legislative intent.
, � I
3
Agriculture Legislative Proposais
Priority Goals as Determined by NCACC Board of Directors
1. Support conservation of working lands and farmland preservation — Support legislation to
promote and preserve working farmlands by including these lands in the state tourism plan, by
retaining the current authority for the present use value system, by maintaining funding for the
Ag Development and Farmland Preservation Trust, and by authorizing counties to implement
transfer of development rights.
2. Fund agricultural research and extension services—Support legislation to increase ag research
and extension services and maintain existing research stations at current levels.
3. Support Sustainable Local Food Advisory Council Recommendations —Support legislation to
implement the Sustainable Local Food Advisory Council's recommendations including a
prohibition against municipal involuntary annexation or regulation of farm or forestry activities
within a voluntary agricultural district or conservation district and support state funding to
maintain and enhance the North Carolina Transition Network.
Other Goal
Maximize availability of adoptable animals — Seek legislation to increase adoption opportunities for
county animal control facilities by clarifying ownership proof and increasing shelter director discretion.
4
NCACC Environmenta) Policy Statement
Introduction
Environmental issues transcend governmentai boundaries and therefore require close coordination of
policy and action by federal, state and local governments. The aim of public policy addressing
environmental issues should be to assure the public health, proted water and other vital natural
resources and enhance sound development while protecting individual property rights.
County governments in North Carolina must play a key role in the development and implementation of
environmental policy. Powers delegated to the counties for protection of the public health and
regulations of development are important tools for carrying out measures to protect land, air and water
resou rces.
State and Local Responsibilities
Protection of the environment must be a shared effort between the state and local governments. State
government should not neglect its responsibilities, nor overly burden local government in its attempt to
regulate activities impacting the environment. The Association believes that the following principles
should guide the relationsk�ip between the state and local governments in the area of environmental
protection:
• State agencies charged with the responsibility for developing administrative rules to implement
federal and state environmental policies should involve local governments in the process at the
earliest stages of development and should proceed only after thorough analysis of health risks,
environmental impacts and fiscal impacts.
• If state agencies issue permits for activities affecting the environment, affected local governments
should be given ample opportunity to comment on all proposed permits in terms of consistency
with local plans and policies.
• If state law delegates responsibility for implementation, monitoring and enforcement of
environmental policy to local governments, the state should provide, through (aw and regulation,
for optimum flexibility at the local level in carrying out these responsibilities.
• State law and administrative rules should allow local governments maximum discretion in setting
fees for such services as inspections, issuance of permits, monitoring activities and enforcement.
• If state law mandates that all local governments assume new or expanded responsibilities for
protection of the environment that previously were considered to be discretionary activities at the
local level, the General Assembly should provide funding for expenditures resulting from the
mandate. If state law mandates that state agencies undertake environmental monitoring activities,
the General Assembly must provide state resources necessary to undertake these monitoring
� responsibilities in a timely manner.
Balancing Development and Environmental Protection
Environmental protection is critical for a sustainable future, but all human activities have an impact on
the environment. County governments believe that public policy on environmental protection must
recognize this fact and provide a rational balance between these interests. To that end, the North
Carolina Association of County Commissioners believes that it is imperative that all initiatives to protect
the quality of our natural environment be carefully evaluated in terms of relative costs and benefits and
actual risks posed to human health. Enhancements to the environment laws of North Carolina should be
justi�ed by sound science and information and based on a clear rationale and purpose for regulatory
change.
5
Environment Legislative Proposals
Priority Goals as Determined by NCACC Board of Directors
1. Enhance river basin monitoring and streamline rule-making—Enhance monitoring for all river
basins in North Carolina and review the rule-making process to enhance regional cooperation.
2. Streamline water supply reservoir permitting—Seek legislation to streamline local water supply
reservoir permitting without sacrificing the scientific rigor of Environmental Impact Assessment
and ensure adequate opportunities for public and local official comment.
3. Authorize County Oversight of Bio-Solids Disposal—Support legislation to authorize counties to
regulate, but not prohibit, bio-solids application activities, including the acceptable "classes" of
bio-solids for application and the prohibition of bio-solids application in certain environmentally
sensitive areas.
Other Goals
• Clarify Yard Waste Facility Runoff Statutes — Seek legislation to clarify that runoff from yard
waste staging areas at county landfills does not require wastewater treatment.
• Create Study Commission on Horizontal Drilling, Hydraulic Fracturing and Uranium mining —
Seek legislation to create a Study Commission on horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing for
shale gas deposits and uranium mining.
6
NCACC Health and Human Services Policy Statement
Guiding Principles
• Essential health and human services should be financed through state or federal revenues to
ensure statewide availability and consistency.
• Counties must be actively engaged in setting health and human services policy and program �
req u irements.
• Health and human services programs should encourage responsible behavior and should be
targeted to those citizens least able to care for themselves.
• County health and human services programs should function as a coordinated, unified system
with sufficient automation to support efFicient service delivery, promote flexibility, and reflect
policy simplification.
Introduction
Comprehensive and efficient human services, including social services, health and mental health, are
essential to human well-being in our present society. These services must be clearly defined and
adequately funded.State mandated services delivered at the county level should be financed from state
revenue sources in order for every citizen of North Carolina to receive a substantially similar degree of
service. Federalfy mandated services should be financed from federal revenue sources. Counties should
not participate in the financing of Medicaid services.
The State and County Partnership and Fiscal Relationship
Strengthened and sustained state and county collaboration is essential for effective human services
delivery.The Association encourages ongoing state and county strategies to enhance intergovernmental
communication,cooperation,and conflict resolution.
County commissioners have a significant role in the funding of the human services network. For this
reason, policy changes affecting the counties should be preceded by good faith negotiations in a process
that is fair and equitable. New program initiatives should allow adequate lead time for implementation
within the county budget schedule. The state should consider a county's resource limitations when
implementing new state and federal programs.
Local Authority
Since the counties are the level of government closest to the people, the Association supports
strengthening of local decision-making to respond to local needs.To enhance this principle, members of
all county human service agency boards should be appointed by the boards of county commissioners.All
block grants should be allocated as non-categorical funds. The Association will oppose earmarking of
block grant funds. The Association supports increases in funding for mandated services, provided that
the increases do not require additional expenditures of county funds.
Service Priorities
Health and human service programs should be targeted to those citizens least able to care for
themselves. These programs should encourage families to be responsible supporters of their children.
To accomplish this, the programs should focus on helping individuals find sustainable long-term
employment. County resources should be targeted toward helping individuals become self-sufficient,
helping families remain together and rewarding responsible behavior. The needs of children should be
the primary focus.
�
Health and human service programs should be flexible and be designed to accommodate the state's
changing demographics,such as the increasing eideriy and Hispanic populations.
Intergovernmental strategies for economic development should be encouraged. These efforts are
critical to ensuring that work is available for individuals making the transition from public assistance to
employment. A(I local government institutions, including municipalities, school boards and regional
council of governments (COGS),should be involved in developing and coordinating services to meet the
needs of low-income individuals.
Service Delivery
The county health and human services programs should function as a coordinated, unified system.
Automation of program administration should be focused toward service integration, program integrity,
client satisfaction, and efficient operation. Automation efforts should accommodate and promote
simplified and flexible service delivery.The Association supports county,regional and state collaborative
efforts in developing strategies for enhancing local agency automation, and encourages program
simplification to streamline administration and improve client interaction. The state should take a lead
role in financing, implementing, maintaining,and supporting statewide-automated systems.Automation
efforts undertaken by the state should connect and integrate with county automation initiatives.
8
Health and Human Services Legislative Proposals
Priority Goals as Determined by NCACC Board of Directors
1. Ensure adequate mental health funding
a. Seek legislation to ensure adequate capacity of state-funded acute psychiatric beds.
b. Oppose legislation to close state-funded beds until there is adequate capacity
statewide.
c. Seek legislation to maintain the existing levels of state funding for community mental
health services.
2. Retain State Aid to Counties—Seek legislation to retain the State Aid to Counties to maintain
federal matchingfunds.
3. Allow county flexibility to organize local human services.
a. Seek legislation to allow counties to organize human services based on community
need,including the removal of the population threshold in 153A-77.
b. Oppose legislation that would mandate consolidation of social services functions.
Other Goals
Maintain childcare subsidy funds and allocate to counties.
— Seek legislation to allocate all childcare subsidy funding directly to counties.
— Oppose legislation that would reduce childcare subsidy funding
Maintain TANF Funds to counties—Seek legislation to maintain existing levels of county TANF funding
to support and fund county DSS programs.
Maintain childcare subsidy administration — Seek legislation to maintain the Child Care Subsidy
Administration funding at 5 percent.
Increase State/County Special Assistance Residency Requirements — Seek legislation to increase the
number of days to establish residency for Special Assistance from 90 to 180 days, except for persons
who have entered the state to be supported by a close relative.
Require Back-up Generators for Adult Care Homes — Seek legislation to require all new adult-care
homes to have back-up generators prior to receiving certificates of occupancy and require all existing
adult-care homes to be equipped with back-up generators within three years.
Expedite NCFAST Automation and Policy Simplification — Seek legislation to expedite the
implementation of NC FAST and ensure automation builds on program and policy simplification and
includes interface protocols.
Retain "Electing" Counties' Financial Incentives — Seek legislation to retain financial incentives for
counties to be"electing"counties.
9
NCACC Intergovernmental Relations Policy Statement
Basic Governmental Philosophy
The North Carolina Association of County Commissioners affirms the following as its basic governmental
philosophy:
• Leave to private initiative the functions that citizens can perform privately while encouraging
public-private partnerships and governmental entrepreneurship when these are in the interest
of citizens and taxpayers.
• Use the level of government closest to the people for most public functions, and provide local
governments with the resources necessary to carry out these functions.
• Utilize intergovernmental agreements where appropriate to attain efficient performance as
determined by local elected officials.
• Intergovernmental communication is vital. State government should communicate and seek
input from any and all counties that are impacted by state regulations,especially when rules and
regulations have direct impacts on property rights.
• Reserve national action for those areas where state and local governments are not adequate
and where continuing national involvement is necessary, e.g. national defense, provided
resources are made available by the national government.
The Intergovernmental System
The Association believes strongly in flexibility of form,function and finance. Counties should be free to
organize for the efFicient and effective delivery of services as deemed appropriate by each county.They
should be free to determine the scope and extent of governmental service they will render subject to
the need for uniformity in delivery of services of national or statewide import; to this end, the
Association will continue to oppose unfunded minimum service levels and maintenance of effort
requirements. Counties should have the authority to employ a variety of ineans of financing county
government.
The state plays a vital role in the economic well being of the counties. In recognition of this partnership,
the state should provide alternatives to enable counties to meet their basic infrastructure needs.
By statute the counties of North Carolina are agents of the state; however, county governments are
more than local branches of state government.As representatives of the local government that touches
all the people, county commissioners accept responsibility for strengthening and improving county
government and will continually strive to lead effectively.
To provide equity among the counties, and to relieve counties of fiscal burdens that cannot adequately
be funded by county revenue sources, services mandated by the federal government should be fully
funded by the federal government, and those services mandated by the state should be fully funded by
the state.
The Association recognizes the kinship of cities and counties in the family of local government and urges
member counties to act affirmatively to strengthen their partnerships with cities. Local general purpose
governments are the building blocks for solving regional problems; therefore, any regional approach
must be based on the need to strengthen and support local governments.
The Association generally supports the policy positions established by the National Association of
Counties, but retains the right to establish its own policy positions on specific issues as deemed
appropriate by its membership.
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The Importance of Unity
The constitutional purpose of the Association is "to provide the legislature and the public with
information necessary for the passage of sound legislation beneficial to the administration of county
affairs and to oppose legislation injurious thereto."The Association affirms that its resources will not be
utilized on behalf of individual,counties seeking legislative remedy for.problems that are not statewide
in nature. Its lobbying efforts will be directed toward the support of sound legislation beneficial to the
administration of all counties' affairs, and to the opposition of legislation injurious to the counties as a
body.
Intergovernmental Relations Legislative Proposals
Priority Goals as Determined by NCACC Board of Directors
1. Oppose Shift of State Transportation Responsibilities to Counties—Oppose legislation to shift
the state's responsibility for funding transportation construction and maintenance projects to
cou nties.
2. Modernize Annexation Laws—Seek legislation modernizing the annexation laws as follows:
a. Requiring the development of joint utility service plans for urbanizing areas;
b. Requiring cities to reimburse counties for the loss of sales tax due to an annexation
c. Increasing the degree of urbanization required to annex property;
d. A�lowing the Board of Commissioners to request a referendum on any proposed
involuntary annexation;
e. Requiring the dired provision of municipal water and sewer services to customers
within three years of an annexation;
f. Providing that counties have the option of continuing to provide utilities to annexed
a reas;
g. Setting the effective date for involuntary annexations to be June 30 following the date
of adoption or final resolution of an appeal;
h. Prohibiting municipalities from annexing across county boundaries without prior
consent of the Board of Commissioners of the affected county. In an instance where a
municipality has already annexed across county lines, further annexation cannot occur
without consent of the affected county.
3. Oppose collective bargaining for public employees — Oppose legislation to authorize local
governments to enter into collective bargaining agreements with public employees, or to
mandate dues check-off programs.
Other Goals
Implement Combined Motor Vehicle Registration & Property Tax Colledion System—Seek legislation
to ensure that the combined motor vehicle registration and property tax collection system is
implemented within the statutory deadline.
Protect local control of ABC System —Seek legislation to protect local control of the local ABC system
including all loca) revenue streams generated through local ABC store operations.
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Authorize counties to offer broadband through partnership or direct service — Seek legislation to
authorize counties to provide high-speed internet through direct county service or public-private
partnerships.
Eliminate Second Primary and Run-Off Elections—Seek legislation to eliminate second primary and run-
off elections.
Authorize Electronic Notice of Public Hearings and Other Legal Notices— Seek legislation to provide
counties with options for notice of public hearings, notice of delinquent taxpayers, and other legal
notices,through electronic means.
Repeal Public Employee Personnel Record Changes—Repeal HB 961 and seek legislation that will better -
clarify issues regarding privacy of public employee personnel records and release of other public
records.
Protect privacy of citizen email notification and distribution lists — Seek legislation to proted the
privacy of email notification and distribution lists of citizens who have requested electronic
communication with their local governments.
Modernize public records retention—Seek legislation to modernize public records retention to permit
records storage in digital format.
Support Rural Transportation Planning Organizations (RPOs) — Support legislation to maintain the
funding for rural transportation planning organizations(RPOs).
Reform Workers' Compensation — Reform Workers' Compensation — Support legislation to reform
North Carolina Workers' Compensation system to reduce disability findings and open-ended streams of
payment, to address the trend in favor of long-term disability findings, to diminish control over these
findings on the part of claimants and their legal representatives, and to curtail adoption of rules that
limit return-to-work efforts.
Oppose Contributory Negligence Tort Reform—Oppose tort reform legislation that would overburden
county budgetary constraints,unfairly shift fault to counties,or increase demand for court facilities.
Promote Utilization of 911 Centers by Protecting Confidentiality — Seek legislation to promote the
reporting of criminal activity by protecting the confidentiality of callers by using either transcripts or
voice-altered recordings to prevent recognition and to make appropriate amendments to public records
laws.
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NCACC Justice and Public Safety Policy Statement
The Association recognizes that the state and counties are partners in the operation of the criminal
justice system and will support policies and laws that contribute to this partnership being an equitable
one.
County jails should be reserved exclusively for pre-trial detainees, and adjudication should be swift in
order to minimize overcrowding in county jails. Bonds should be reasonable, and effective pre-trial
screening and population management efforts should be encouraged. Criminals should pay a greater
portion of the cost incurred by the counties and the state as a result of their crimes through increased
jail fees,service of process fees,and court facilities fees.
The statewide judicial system should be adequately funded and staffed in order to provide an efficient
environment for judicial process and to instill public confidence in the justice system. �
Justice and Public Safety Legislative Proposals
Priority Goals as Determined by NCACC Board of Directors
1. Protect county jail system
o Seek legislation to protect the fiscal viability of the county jail system by reinstating the
reimbursement rate for state inmates housed in county jails and increasing the
reimbursement rate for state inmates awaiting post-trial prison transfer.
o Oppose legislation to increase time counties are mandated to house state
misdemeanants.
2. Improve inmate medical care cost containment—Seek legislation that would authorize medical
care providers to charge the state and counties no more than the rates set in the Medicaid or
Medicare schedule of charges for inmate medical care.
3. Maintain funding for gang prevention and adolescent substance abuse prevention,
intervention and treatment programs.
Other Goals
Allow court facility fee flexibility — Seek legislation to allow counties to collect additional fees to
support specialty courts and help fund capital, operational and other needs associated with increasing
demands on our judicial system.
Authorize inmate electronic monitoring cost reimbursement—Seek legislation#o authorize counties to
seek reimbursement from defendants for electronic monitoring, based on ability to pay.
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NCACC Public Education Policy Statement
Introduction
The Association believes that every child should have equal access to a sound basic education designed
to prepare students for successful living, work and good citizenship in a modern society. Recognizing
that the responsibility for public education in our country is that of the states, the Association believes
that adequate state resources must ensure a sound basic education for all North Carolina children. We
believe that improved public education is imperative to the future of North Carolina's citizens, and we
encourage the state to place higher priority on increased support for the necessary improvements to
compete in an increasingly global and technologically complex business environment.
The Association supports a continued federal role in the funding of educational services.The Association
further believes that citizen control of public schools is essential to guarantee continued widespread
understanding and support for this major responsibility of government:the education of its people.The
Association acknowledges and accepts the traditional responsibility of boards of county commissioners
to provide adequate facilities in which to meet our students'need for a sound basic education.
Clarifying State and County Financial Responsibility
The Association recognizes the importance of new approaches to education in the effort to improve our
public schools. New classroom technologies and such innovations as the NC Virtual Public School, Early
college High Schools, alternative schools, and charter schools are intended to introduce greater choice
into the state's public education system. When the General Assembly authorizes changes to introduce
greater choice and/or improve education, these changes and flexibilities should be equally available to
all existing public schools.
The Association will support efforts by state policy makers that, in the view of county commissioners,
will lead to substantive improvements in the state-supported basic elementary and secondary education
programs available to the children of North Carolina. Elementary and secondary public education should
be a clear priority to ensure that North Carolina citizens are well served by our schools.
The state should define and support a sound basic education in all local school systems and appropriate
adequate operating funds to fully fund its education initiatives with revenue that is earmarked to pay
the costs of those initiatives. The state should fund programs that continue to engage young people,
provide individualized options that eliminate arbitrary barriers and provide students a range of
opportunities through which they can gain the credentials,skills and education they need to function in
the modern economy of the 21st century.
The division of responsibility between the state and counties for financing public school needs, which
was established by the General Assembly in 1933, became blurred during the years that followed. The
Association supports efforts to clarify state and county responsibility through legislation that reflects
� and recognizes the following realities:
• the rightful guarantee of equal access to high quality basic education opportunities for every
child in North Carolina;
� the limitation of county government revenue sources and the need for additional sources of
revenue at the county level;
• the impacts of changing technologies on basic educational needs and the job market in the
future;
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• the impact of changes in the state-supported education program on the facility needs of local
school systems;
• the need, if county governments are to remain responsible for school facility needs,for county
commissioners to have the authority to assure that funds appropriated to meet these needs are
used accordingly;
• and the problems experienced by counties, particularly suburban counties in areas surrounding
metropolitan areas, in which growth in school population is not matched by growth in county
revenue. �
Further,the Association believes that county commissioners together with the state must be diligent in
carrying out their financing responsibility for school facilities. Adequate capital financing arrangements
will necessitate strong attention to long-range financial planning. School building needs of necessity
must be considered in the context of all facilities that commissioners are required to finance.
County Commissioners and Local Boards
Especially in the area of attaining su�cient state financing for a quality basic education, commissioners
and local school board members can be more effective by acting cooperatively to promote
improvements in public education.
Joint cooperative action between boards of county commissioners and local school boards is essential to
the successful delivery of excellent public education.The free exchange of information and ideas among
the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners,the North Carolina School Boards Association
and the North Carolina Department of Public Education is likewise necessary to promote understanding
of the variety and complexity of issues related to public education.
The Association strongly urges the General Assembly to support counties in their efforts to fund no
more than one school system per county in order to better utilize school facilities and financial
resources. Taxation for local support of public education should be vested exclusively with boards of
county commissioners.
Community Colleges
North Carolina's community colleges are critical components of the state's integrated efForts to prepare
youth and adults for constructive participation in a constantly changing economy.The NCACC recognizes
the counties'statutory responsibility to provide financial support for plant operations, maintenance and
capital construction, but also supports additional state funds to help counties address construction
needs due to increased enrollments and aging facilities. To meet North Carolina's changing workforce
demands, the NCACC supports increased state funding to train and retrain both young students and
adult citizens.
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Public Education Legislative Proposals
Priority Goals as Determined by NCACC Board of Directors
1. Reinstate ADM and lottery funds for school construdion—Seek legislation to fully reinstate the
Average Daily Membership funds and Lottery proceeds to the Public School Building Capital
Fund.
2. Authorize county use of lottery funds for technology—Seek legislation to authorize counties to
use lottery funds to address school technology needs.
3. Increase high school graduation rates — Support legislation that encourages students to
complete their high school education by recognizing alternative graduation methods and by
excluding from the definition of dropouts those youth enrolled in high school equivalency
programs at community colleges.
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NCACC Taxation and Finance Policy Statement
Guiding Principles
• The level of government most capable of delivering public services should provide them.
• Counties must have sufficient revenue authority and options to meet public service needs.
• Counties must have acces5 to a broad and balanced revenue base.
. The state should not mandate programs requiring county financial participation, and state-
generated revenues should fund basic state services.
• The state should provide timely and tailored information to sustain county revenue, budget and
financial management integrity.
Introduction ,
The North Carolina Association of County Commissioners believes that the level of government most
capable of delivering essential public services should be responsible for providing them. In order for
counties to be effective partners with the state and federal governments, counties must have the
authority to generate optional local revenues that are sufFicient to meet public service needs while
being responsive to economic change. The county revenue base should be broad and balanced,
permitting counties to raise revenues from various sources rather than being overly dependent on any
single revenue source or overly burdensome on any one group of taxpayers.
A proper balance of service responsibility and revenue-raising authority is imperative for effective
county governance. Any restructuring of county responsibilities should be coupled with a restructuring
of local revenue sources to meet those responsibilities.
County Revenue Authority
The property tax system is the mainstay of the county revenue base and the Association will continue
efforts to make the property tax system more efficient and equitable. The Association will also seek to
broaden and diversify the county revenue base to include appropriate optional sources that are
responsive to economic change and equitable in terms of impact on residents.
The Association believes that county revenue authority should reflect the following:
• Counties should have authority to generate optional revenues sufficient to meet their
responsibilities, especially for those programs already mandated by the state and federal
` governments.
. New taxing authority should not be seen as encouragement for new state a.nd federal
mandates.
• The Association opposes the redistribution of existing revenues, and no redistribution of new
tax sources should be implemented without assessing taxpayer equity as reflected by local
needs,local funding efforts,and local funding capability.
• The General Assembly should reimburse from state sources individual county and city losses if
statewide policy objectives necessitate reductions in local tax bases.
• The General Assembly should recognize that county funding obligations do not diminish when
local revenue base exemptions and exclusions are granted to specific groups and county
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revenue generation is reduced, with the result that the tax burden is shifted from one local
constituency to another.
• The General Assembly should evaluate existing local revenue base exemptions and exclusions to
determine if they have achieved their intended tax policy objectives. New or extended
exemptions and exclusions should include a"sunset"date in their authorizing legislation.
• Local government tax revenues should not be earmarked for specific programs, functions or
services.
Financing Mandates
County officials recognize their responsibilities for carrying out policies formulated by the General
Assembly. State policy makers should recognize county revenue base limitations and variations in
revenue-producing capabilities among counties and should not mandate programs requiring county
financial participation.
The Association believes that mandated programs should be financed as follows:
• Where the state has mandated county�nancing in broad terms, permitting county discretion in
service levels,counties should have the primary financing responsibility.
• Where the General Assembly has set a minimum of basic service to be available equally to all
state residents, the state should have financing responsibility. County financial participation
should be limited to sharing the programs'administrative costs.
• Where the federal government has initiated services to provide income maintenance for all
citizens,the federal government should have financing responsibility.
Fiscal Integrity of Counties
Counties need timely information from the legislative and executive branches of state government
regarding budgetary decisions that affect county taxation, budgeting, and fiscal management. In order
to enhance the fiscal integrity of counties, the Association will continue to support improvements in
financial management practices and reduction of inconsistencies in fiscal procedures among programs
administered by county governments.
The Association believes that the continued fiscal health of county government depends upon the
following:
• State laws and guidance that provide for sound financial management practices that are
adaptable to the special needs of each county.
• Appropriate state agencies should guide necessary improvements in consistent accounting,
reporting and auditing procedures.
• State agencies monitoring county programs should not require practices that are redundant,
duplicative,or inconsistent with generally accepted principles of budgeting and accounting.
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Taxation and Finance Legislative Proposals
Priority Goals as Determined by NCACC Board of Directors
1. Preserve the existing local revenue base.
2. Authorize local revenue options —Seek legislation to allow all counties to enact by resolution
or, at the option of the Board of Commissioners, by voter referendum any or all revenue options
from among those that have been authorized for any other county.
3. Recover costs through In Rem foreclosure fee—Seek legislation to increase the reimbursement
rate for in rem foreclosure collection efforts to recover actual costs,including legal expenses.
Other Goals
Set property tax relief application deadline at June 1 — Seek legislation to establish June 1 as the
statutory deadline for exemption,deferment and other property tax relief applications.
Clarify centralized listing and assessing of cellular and cable companies—Seek legislation to implement
the central listing and assessment of cellular and cable companies.
Clarify definition of charity eligible for property tax relief—Seek legislation to clarify the definition of I
charity and set a cap amount for hospitals, facilities financed through Medical Care Commission bonds,
and continuing care facilities, and require that any property valuation exclusion formula provide for a
higher test of charity.
Allow hospital authority access to setoff debt collection — Seek legislation to authorize hospital
authorities to participate in the setoff debt collection program. .
Require sales tax reported at zip+4—Seek legislation to require that large vendors report sales tax by
the 9-digit zip code.
Simplify Register of Deeds Fees — Support legislation to require that all real estate recording fees
charged by the Register of Deeds be set at appropriate flat rates,with a single rate paid to a single state
agency, provided that implementation of this legislation not reduce any revenues to any county.
Standardize Local Vehicle Fees—Seek legislation to require that all local vehicle fees be adopted at the
time the tax rate is adopted and impose the fees on all registered and unregistered vehicles.
Allow solid waste authority access to setoff debt collection—Seek legislation to authorize solid waste
authorities to participate in the setoff debt collection program.
Manufactured home taxes paid before transfer — Seek legislation to require that all taxes levied on
manufactured homes be paid before the home may be moved, repossessed or sold on site.