INC NEWS - [CVNA] Fw: Prepared Meals Tax Referendum

[RW Pickle]

We discussed the PMT this morning at out CCIP meeting. What the literature
fails to say is that there is no sunset law on this (meaning it can go on
and even increase forever) and that the expectation is (on current
statistics) is $5M/year. Looking at the literature, you see $57M + of ways
to spend it. This $5M will be used as "down payment" money in order to
borrow more; hence the larger figure of projected costs for various
projects. So just don't forget we're still going to have to pay the money
back and this isn't a free ride. Where the money actually gets spent will
be a joint City/County decision. A lot of the spending is geared toward
maintenance which is something we have not had much of a revenue stream to
fund (through normal budgetary cycles). I didn't see much in it for the
County when most of it comes to fixing downtown buildings (or adding them)
except that it adds to the "big" Durham overall brand. Bahama, for
example, seems to be excluded again from getting amenities and the bulk of
it seems destined for downtown. Having recently over-spent the streetscape
renovation projects downtown by $3.5M, it has to make one wonder how bad
the new list of projects could get...

RWP
27 Beverly

> I've also been told (I'd still like to see it in writing though) that a
> portion of the money raised via the Prepared Meals Tax would be allocated
> to
> Keep Durham Beautiful which is the organization within the City which is
> responsible to maintain and improve that stretch of 85 which has
> additional
> plantings and crepe myrtles in the median.
>
> I believe that a specific allocation towards an additional street sweeper
> for this (and other area throughout the City) via the PMT would be a wise
> investment for Durham that isn't dependant solely on property taxes to
> implement.
>
> I'm supporting the PMT for a number of different reasons,  this just being
> one of them.
>
> fyi,
> mike shiflett
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <nutryb at mindspring.com>
> To: <ColonialVillage_nhw at yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, October 01, 2008 1:04 PM
> Subject: [CVNA] Fw: INC NEWS - Prepared Meals Tax Referendum
>
>
>> Hi neighbors;
>>
>> I'd like to take this opportunity to fwd some great information on the
>> Prepared Meals Tax that will be coming up for a vote shortly. As a
>> member
>> of the Durham Open Space & Trails Commission, I'd like to let you know
>> that DOSTC voted unanimously to support the referendum, as it would
>> provide a great deal of additional funding for trails and greenways in
>> Durham, in a specific and targeted way. As a citizen, I intend to vote
>> in
>> favor of it, and encourage you to do the same.
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Paula Childers, in Colonial Village on Lavender
>>
>> -----Forwarded Message-----
>>>From: Newman Aguiar <newman at nc.rr.com>
>>>To: inc-list at DurhamINC.org
>>>Subject: INC NEWS - Prepared Meals Tax Referendum
>>>
>>>After 17 years, we finally have the opportunity to decide on authorizing
>>>the
>>>County to levy a one percent tax on prepared meals.  During these tough
>>>economic times, it is difficult to even contemplate another "tax".  Yet,
>>>it
>>>is important to note that an estimated 40% of the tax is expected to
>>> come
>>>from visitors and non-resident commuters, helping our community fund
>>>projects that we would otherwise have to fund from other source.  When
>>> you
>>>take your friends or family out to dinner in Raleigh, you are already
>>>paying
>>>the prepared meals tax to fund projects in Wake County.  Durham could
>>> sure
>>>use these funds to support our civic, cultural and recreational
>>> projects.
>>>
>>>Following are some documents that can help answer some of the questions
>>>you
>>>may have about the prepared meals tax.
>>>
>>>Cheers.
>>>Newman
>>>
>>>* * * * * * * *
>>>
>>>Simple One Page Fact Sheet
>>>http://www.dcvb-nc.com/comm/PFT_2008/2008_food_tax_fact_sheet.pdf
>>>
>>>Civic, Cultural and Recreations Projects Funded by the tax
>>>http://www.dcvb-nc.com/cr/PFT_Projects.pdf
>>>
>>>City and County FAQ's on the Referendum
>>>http://www.dcvb-nc.com/comm/PFT_2008/2008_food_tax_fact_sheet.pdf
>>>
>>>Backgrounder on trails, greenways, open spaces funded by the tax
>>>http://www.dcvb-nc.com/comm/PFT_2008/Food_Levy_to_Boost_Trails_and_Open_Spaces.doc
>>>
>>>PFT is like 40% off sale
>>>http://www.dcvb-nc.com/comm/PFT_2008/Sale_on_Civic_Cultural_and_Recreational_Projects.doc
>>>
>>>Backgrounder on regressive/progressive tax issues
>>>http://www.dcvb-nc.com/comm/PFT_2008/Regressive_Progressive.doc
>>>
>>>Backgrounder on number of non-resident commuters who will pay the tax
>>>http://www.dcvb-nc.com/comm/PFT_2008/Commuters_Shoulder_Cost_of_Amenities.doc
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------------
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --------------------------------
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