2002 - 10-07-02 Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Burn i.9 PACE 2--S 3. The Governor who has even quested for a lottery over the past two years of looking for responsible ways to cut spending. His actions have placed us in this situation. So we arrive here, where we can cold heartily slash spending to the point where it hurts not just people, our neighbors, but it hurts economic development---jobs. Or we can raise taxes, which no one wants to do, especially in a down economy, because once raised taxes don't get out---government just grows. The economically prudent thing to do is to control our own destiny. If we just raise taxes, let's focus resources on critical needs, such as schools, and free cash for other services and to bring more jobs to Lee County. It is jobs that bring more revenue to Lee County, not taxes. But the critical part is the key phrase---OUR DESTINY. I hate raising taxes. The state's mismanaged affairs are punishing Lee County for good stewardship of the tax dollars. Until Raleigh sees fit to let us control our own destiny, we will continue to see the erosion of Home Ride. Mr. Chairman without a public hearing on this matter, as important as it is, I will not and cannot support this tax increase." After further discussion, Chairman Hincks amended his motion to approve a resolution levying the third one-half cent (1/2¢) local government sales and use tax and prescribing the method of distribution of the proceeds with Lee County effective January 1, 2003, and schedule a public hearing for October 21, 2002. A copy of this resolution is attached to these minutes and by this reference made a part hereof. Upon a vote, the results were as follows: Aye: Adams, Hincks, Lemmond, Matthews, Paschal, Reives, and Sauls Nay: None The Chairman ruled the motion had been adopted unanimously. The board considered joining in a lawsuit with other counties and cities against the Secretary of Revenue. Commissioner Adams discussed with the board his feelings on joining in a lawsuit as a way of recouping some of the State's freezing of payments that were to go to cities and counties. Commissioner Adams moved for Lee County to join in this lawsuit process. After some discussion, Commissioner Adams amended his motion to support others in the lawsuit that includes the counties of Cabarrus, Alamance, Stokes, Caldwell, Davie and New Hanover. Upon a vote, the results were as follows: Aye: Adams, Hincks, Lemmond, Matthews, Paschal, Reives, and Sauls Nay: None The Chairman ruled the motion had been adopted unanimously. 6