At a Tuesday night Orange County Board of Commissioners meeting, Assistant County Manager Gwendolyn Harvey gave a presentation on the efforts to educate the public on the county’s proposed quarter-cent sales tax.
Half of the funds raised by the tax would benefit public schools and the other half would be directed toward economic development initiatives.
Schools would use the funds to improve existing facilities and upgrade available technology, Harvey said.
She said the economic development funds would be used for measures such as small business loans and recruiting new businesses.
Notable
The board also approved a proposed amendment that will establish the Rural Economic Development Area (REDA) Conditional Zoning District.
The goal of the REDA is to limit the scope of the areas where conditional use can be applied in the rural parts of the counties, said Commissioner Barry Jacobs.
The board received an update on Orange County economic development from Steve Brantley, director of economic development and business recruitment.
Included in the presentation was a report on the county’s outreach efforts with the University. Brantley said Orange County is continuing to build ties with various University departments.
Quotable
“It’s about encouragement to vote, encouragement to learn, encouragement to be aware of this issue as we approach the voting date of November 8,” Harvey said in reference to the public education efforts for the quarter-cent sales tax.
“I will vote in favor of the motion because I think it needs to go forward, but I do not approve of the limitations that have been put on it,” said Commissioner Steve Yuhasz about the board’s decision to approve the proposed REDA amendment.
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