At the Thursday night Orange County Board of Commissioner’s meeting, the board discussed the benefits a proposed quarter-cent sales tax could offer.
Orange County’s planning and economic development staff presented an overview of the types of infrastructure and development that could happen with the help of increased revenue the proposed tax could provide.
The staff focused on the county’s western economic zone — the Efland-Buckhorn-Mebane area.
The zone’s plan details development opportunities in the area, said Craig Benedict, planning and inspections director for Orange County.
“It shows you the capacity of the land, but gives you flexibility and doesn’t lock you in,” Benedict said.
The report displayed maps of the western economic zone, detailing the potential uses for various areas, including commercial, light industrial, transitional residential and research/development.
One goal for future development in the county is to attract businesses and entrepreneurs into the area.
“You have to have the inventory to make the purchase happen,” said Dottie Schmitt, an economic development specialist for the Orange County Economic Development Commission. “We need to have that actual infrastructure for development.”
The master plan is also meant to showcase the value that a quarter cent tax could have for the county.
The proposed tax, which is estimated to bring in about $2.5 million, was voted down by residents last year.
“Citizens are asking lots of questions, wanting to know information,” said Commissioner Pam Hemminger. “One of the reasons we lost was that people just didn’t understand [the tax].”
Vice ChairmanSteve Yuhasz said the county needs improved infrastructure to facilitate economic growth.
“There’s a whole range of things to do to increase development and make Orange County a more attractive area to locate,” Yuhasz said.
Notable:
-The board unanimously awarded the bid to replace the HVAC system at the John M. Link, Jr. Government Services Building to Warren Hay Mechanical of Hillsborough, NC. The proposed geothermal system is estimated to cost $679,326. The system is designed to be maintenance free for up to 50 years, said Pam Jones, director of Orange County asset management services.
-The Board also unanimously designated September as the Orange County Preparedness Month.
Quotable:
“How could a project cost over $600,000 for heating and air conditioning?” Hemminger said about the HVAC system. “Many citizens have asked how we can spend that kind of money in these times.”
“This [master plan overview] is a great accord, an excellent idea if it helps all of us visualize things better and better explain to the public what we can do here,” said Bernadette Pelissier, chairwoman of the board.
To get the day's news and headlines in your inbox each morning, sign up for our email newsletters.
