BC 1983 08 31 - Laserfiche WebLink

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363 The Board of Commissioners for the County of Cabarrus met in special session in the Commissioners' Meeting Room at the County Courthouse in Concord, North Carolina, on August 31, 1983, at 7:00 P.M. to hold a public hearing to consider the levy of a one-half percent (1/2%) supplemental local government sales and use tax. Present - Chairman: J. Harold Nash Commissioners: Archie Y. Barnhardt Marcelle Milloway James W. Lentz Kenneth F. Payne Chairman Nash announced that the public hearing would be moved from the Commissioners' Meeting Room to Courtroom 2 to accommodate the large number of persons present for the meeting. Chairman Nash called the public hearing to order in Courtroom 2 at 7:08 P.M. and stated that persons wishing to speak regarding the proposed one-half percent (1/2%) sales tax would be given the opportunity to do so at this time. The Board set a five-minute time limit for each presentation. Mr. Ralph Bonds urged the Board to enact the one-half percent (1/2%) sales tax as soon as possible. He stated the proposed sales tax was a fair tax for all persons and was needed to provide relief for property owners and to renovate dilapidated school buildings in the county. Mr. John Kee opposed the levy of the one-half percent (1/2%) supplemental sales tax, stating that taxpayers in the county were already overburdened with taxes. He asked that the Board delay the levy of the tax for at least a year. Ms. Linda Russell, representative of the Coltrane-Webb Parents/Teachers Organization (PTO), spoke in support of the additional sales tax. She stated the one-half (1/2) cent sales tax was needed to renovate schools to provide adequately for the children in the county. Mayor Martha Melvin, speaking on behalf of the Town Council of Harrisburg, urged the Board to pass the one-half percent (1/2%) supplemental sales tax. She stated it was a fair assessment and could be used to finance water and sewer projects in the county as well as for educational purposes. Mr. Bill McCrary presented the following statement from the Executive Board of the Concord/Cabarrus County Chamber of Commerce-Merchants Association. "The Executive Board of the Concord/Cabarrus County Chamber of Commerce-Merchants Association endorses the proposed 1/2-cent tax increase in the county's sales tax to be effective October 1, 1983. It is our understanding that state law provides that municipalities must earmark forty percent of funds received for Water/Sewer projects and that the balance be unregulated. Further, that counties must set aside forty percent of their portion for school capital projects with the balance being unregulated. We have been informed by county officials that the greater portion of the sixty percent will be used for water and sewer projects throughout the county. The decision by the Executive Board to endorse a sales tax increase is based upon the Chmaber's committment that our children are to be pro- vided with the very best equipment and buildings for their education and that facilities be provided to our citizens for the availability of clean water and a sanitary method of waste disposal throughout the county. Therefore, we believe that the sales tax increase is a fair and equitable method to achieve these objectives." For the Executive Board, /s/ P. H. Smith, Sr. Philip H. Smith, Sr. Executive Vide President Ms. Bernice Sides opposed an increase in the county's sales tax. She stated there were enough good schools in the county and that there was no need for water and sewer throughout the county.