Give counties more taxing options
Wednesday, November 19th, 2008
By Staff
RALEIGH - North Carolina's counties are under the gun. Fast-growing areas are struggling to build schools as construction costs escalate. Water and sewer systems in rural counties have reached a dangerous point of disrepair.
At the same time, state lawmakers are increasingly transferring to local governments the responsibility for road maintenance and construction — costs the state has traditionally paid. And counties are trying to meet growing demand for public transportation.
This is happening as the souring economy has increased needs and decreased revenue. But counties' hands are tied, because the legislature has failed to provide them with a slate of options for raising the revenue needed in a way that works for their communities.
Moreover, in 2007 the state began requiring county officials to hold referendums on new sales taxes and real estate transfer taxes.
On Nov. 4, 16 counties held tax referendums, and all failed. Overall, 23 counties have held referendums on the real estate transfer tax; all have failed. In the 50 counties that held public votes on sales taxes, only eight have passed. (more…)
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