HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 06-05-2012 - 7bORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: June 5, 2012
Action Agenda
Item No. -7- %
SUBJECT: Decision on Placement of a Half- Percent Sales Tax Referendum for Public
Transportation on the November 2012 Elections Ballot
DEPARTMENT: Manager, Attorney, and PUBLIC HEARING: (YIN)
Planning & Inspections
ATTACHMENTS:
1. For Board Decision - Resolution Placing a
Y2- Percent Sales Tax Referendum on the
November 2012 Elections Ballot
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Bernadette Pelissier, BOCC Chair,
245-2130
Frank W. Clifton, Jr., Manager, 245 -2300
John Roberts, County Attorney, 245 -2318
Craig Benedict, Planning Director,
245 -2585
David King, General Manager, Triangle
Transit, 485 -7424
PURPOSE: To make a decision on the placement of a Y2- percent sales tax referendum on the
November 2012 ballot as a funding source for implementing the Bus and Rail Investment Plan
in Orange County.
BACKGROUND: The Bus and Rail Investment Plan in Orange County and Triangle Transit
Authority /Orange County Implementing Agreement describes Orange County's plans to utilize
revenue from the Y2- percent sales tax, if the Board establishes a referendum on the tax and it is
approved by Orange County voters. The Plan includes elements such as:
• Fixed guideway transit (Light Rail Transit)
o Orange County's transit partnership (i.e. Cost Share agreement) with Durham
County
• Expanded or new bus service (local, rural and regional)
• Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. bus lanes
• Small capital transit facilities (park and ride lots including Hillsborough Amtrak train
station, etc.)
In addition to revenue generated through the addition of a %2- percent sales tax, the
implementation of the Bus and Rail Investment Plan in Orange County will require revenue from
a $7.00 county tag fee, a $3.00 increase to the current Triangle Transit tag fee, and triangle
regional rental car fee revenues.
The Bus and Rail Investment Plan in Orange County approved `in principal' at the Board's May
15, 2012 regular meeting, subject to a variety of corrections, is also on the Board's agenda for
this meeting. A copy of the Plan has been provided within the supporting
(See Agenda Item 7.a). pporting materials for that item
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None at this time. The Bus and Rail Investment Plan in Orange County
includes information on future commitments.
RECOMMENDATIONS: The Manager recommends that the Board:
1) Consider the public hearing comments; and
2) Take appropriate action on the attached resolution placing the '/- percent sales tax
referendum for public transportation on the November 2012 ballot.
9 ES - 'R01 a. O 5 3 ATTACHMENT 1 3
RESOLUTION OF THE ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
AUTHORIZING A SPECIAL ADVISORY REFERENDUM ON THE ISSUE OF
LEVYING A ONE -HALF PERCENT (112 %) LOCAL SALES AND USE TAX FOR
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
WHEREAS, the North Carolina General Assembly has enacted the "Local
Government Public Transportation Sales Tax Act" at Article 43 of Chapter 105 of
the North Carolina General Statutes (Session Law 2009 -527), which authorizes
counties and transportation authorities to levy a local sales and use tax for the
purpose of financing local public transportation systems; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to 105- 509(a), the regional public transportation
authority (hereinafter, "Triangle Transit ") will create a special district consisting of
the entire area of Orange County to be added to the existing special district of
Durham County; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Part 4 of the Act, Triangle Transit must obtain the
approval of the Orange County Board of Commissioners in order to conduct an
advisory referendum by a vote of the people. The election shall be held in
accordance with the provisions of North Carolina General Statute §163 -287;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Commissioners
for the County of Orange:
Section 1. The Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes Triangle
Transit to call a referendum during the normal time the polls are open, on
Tuesday, November 6, 2012, at which there shall be submitted to the qualified
voters of the County of Orange the question stated in Section 3 of this resolution.
Section 2. The said referendum shall be held in accordance with the
procedures of North Carolina General Statute §163 -287.
Section 3. The form of the question to appear in the ballots and in the
instructions to voters for said referendum shall be substantially as follows:
[ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST
"One -half percent (1/2 %) local sales and use tax, in addition to the current
local sales and use taxes, to be used only for public transportation
systems."
Section 4. The Clerk to the Board of Commissioners is hereby
authorized and directed to mail or deliver a certified copy of this Resolution to the
Board of Trustees of Triangle Transit within three days after passage hereof.
Section 5. This Resolution shall take effect upon its passage.