AG 2003 04 21 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Day br{efly reviewed discussions held during the February 17~" Board meeting concerni~g the one-half percent local government sales and use tax and the County'4 projected shortfalls of $5.6 million in FY 2004, $12.5 million in FY 2045 and $11.5 million in FY 2006. He stated that ex~penditures are exceeding r~Venues and discussed various short and 10ng-term solutions that could help iaddress the problem. Further, Mr. Day presented a list of potential cuts ~otaling $5.2 million if the County eliminates the non- mandated service4 of Parks and Recreation, Libraries, Cooperative Extension, Veterans Services, Aging, Planning, Zoning, Erosion Control, Co,~nunity Development, SOi~ and Water and ~imal Control. He reported that $4.5 million in reven~e is anticipated in FY 2004 from the one-half cent sales tax if it is effecti~ July 1, 2003. Ms. Pam Du~ois, Finance Director, commented on the reduction in revenue since 2000 and }he increase in such expenses as education, debt service, economic incentives, Medicaid, Department of Social Services and =he Health Alliance. She s~ted that the County's surplus is going away. The follow~g Resolutions were included in the Agenda: (1) Mt. Pleasant To~ Board - Redolution of Support for the Approval of the One-Half Cent Local ~overnment} Sales and Use Tax for Cabarrus County; (2) Concord City Council - Resolu~ion of Support for the Approval of the One-Half Cent Local Government Sales{ and Use Tax for Cabarrue County; (3} Resolution of the Kannapolis City ~oard of Education; (4) Cabarrus County Board of Education - Resolution Cabar~us County Co~issioners Funding Options; and (5) Harrisburg Town Council - R~eolution of Support for the Approval of the One-Half Cent Local Government ~ales and Use Tax for Cabarrus County. At 9:30 p{m., Chairman Freeman opened the public hearing on the proposed Resolu~on to preserve the current co~ined state and local government sales ~nd use tax at six and one-half percent by levying the third one-half percent .~local government sales and use tax effective July 1, 2003. The Public Hearing Notice was published in ~ IN'DEPENDENT TRIBUNE and THE C~LOTTE OBSERV~ (Cabarrus Neighbors) on March 2, 2003. Reverend R~and Jordan, resident of Lore Street in Concord. spoke in support of the o~-half cent sales tax. He stated the sales tax revenue is needed to fund education, Jobs and a new Jail. Ms. Chriet~ Yoder, resident of Yorktown Street in Concord, spoke in support of maint~ining the sales tax at six and one-half percent effective July 1, 2003. Sh~ stated in her opinion the one-half percent sales tax would not be a burden t~ =he County's citizens and is needed to fund schools, ~ater and =he new jail~ Further, Ms. Yoder said that the sales tax would help =o provide programs ~o children from the poorer communities. Mr. Heath R}tchie, resident of Concord, stated it is important that the County keep the c~. e-half cent sales tax in place. He stated in his opinion the one-half cent{would not be a burden to the citizens and the County could no= afford to giv{ up any opportunity for revenue. Mr. F. A. {Jack~ Rankin of Concord supported the one-half cent sales =ax. He said the ~ounty needs the source of income and stated in his opinion the County shoul~ implement the sales tax rather than increase the property tax. , Mr. Edward ~cott of Concord spoke in favor of the one-half cent sales tax. He stated ~e County needs more money and that the property tax would have to go up if ~he sales tax is not approved. Mr. Thomas iHi11, representing the Cabarrus Chapter of Citizens for Sound Economy, e~ated he opposed the one-half percent sales tax based on principle because~it would hurt the poorest of people. Mr. Mike He,ms opposed the one-half cent sales tax, stating the County should be run ae~ a business and that cutbacks in the nu~er of employees should be made. ~ He stated in his opinion a new Jail is not needed and questioned the a~lstance that some persons receive from the Department of otis1 Servxces. Mr. John Co%, Chief Executive Officer of the Cabarrus Regional Cha~er of Coverts and s~eaking on behalf of the business communi~y, encouraged the Board to adopt th~ one-half cent sales tax. He stated adoption of the tax is in the best i~ter~t of County goverr~uent and the local business co~vnunity.