AG 2002 10 21 (Regular) - Laserfiche WebLink

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August 5, 2002 ]CASARRUSCOUN~] N081~ CAROLINA Attachment 'B ' Mr. Brian Hiatt Concord City Manager P. O. Box 308 Concord, NC 28026-0308 Dear Brian: Thank you for the input regarding the loss of State reimbursements and the potential for transferring the one-half cent (1/2¢) State sales tax to local governments. I will pass along your input to the County Commission. It is unfortunate that Govemor Easley has Chosen to ignore the needs of cities and counties. While I .understand the scqpe of the State's fiscal crisis, I find no validity in the Governor's action to "take" funds designated for local governments (cities and counties) and then pursue expansions of "His" programs. I have sent you (previously) a copy of the County's proposed FY 03 budget. The' actual budget varies only slightly from the proposed plan. You will find that the County (also) will be severely impacted if revenues ($3.7 million) are not aVailable. It is a tough decision that is being forced upon the County Commission by. the Governor and General Assembly. Cabarms citizens (by a wide margin) previously rejected by referendum (prior to your arrival) an additional local option sales tax. Although the circumstances have certainly changed, that public input' may still carry significant weight in the County Commission's future deliberations on the subject. I shoe some of your concerns about impacts that the loss of reimbursement revenues will have on lOcal government services. As you know, the County is a "delivery agent" for many State mandated human services. We carry a double burden. The State has taken $3.7 million in County revenues and added more service delivery responsibilities and costs to the County. Office of the County Manager P.O. Box 707 · Concord, NC 28026-0707 · 704-920-2100 · Fax 704-920-2820 · Charlotte 704-375-0829 www. co.cabarrus.nc.us