September 11, 2007

Contact: Charlie Horne, County Manager, 542-8200

Chatham residents invited to educational meetings
on proposed 0.4% land transfer tax

The Chatham County Board of Commissioners asks residents to be informed voters on the proposed 0.4% land transfer tax, which is slated for a vote on the upcoming Nov. 6 ballot. To provide citizens with educational materials and opportunities for questions, the Board has scheduled five community meetings around the county:

Thursday, Sept. 20: North Chatham School, 3380 Lystra Road, located in northeastern Chatham County, 7 pm. Directions: The school is located on Lystra Road about one-half mile from where it meets Jack Bennett Road.

Thursday, Sept. 27: Western Senior Center, 112 Village Lake Road, Siler City, 7pm. Directions: From US 64 Business in Siler City, take 421 Business (also Greensboro Ave.) north. Continue north until you see a sign for Siler Business Park pointing left. Turn left and enter the business park. The Western Senior Center is on the left side of the park. 

Thursday, Oct. 4: Chatham Central High School Auditorium, 14950 NC Highway 902 West, in Bear Creek (southwest Chatham), 7 pm. Directions: Take NC 902 West from Pittsboro and cross over US 421. Go about two miles to the school on the right.

Thursday, Oct. 11: Liberty Chapel United Church of Christ (sanctuary), Old US 1, Moncure, 7 pm. Directions: Pittsboro-Moncure Road deadends at Old US 1 in Moncure. Turn left on Old US 1 and go about one mile to the church.

Thursday, Oct. 18: Eastern Chatham Senior Center, 365 Highway 87 North, Pittsboro, 7 pm. Directions: From the courthouse circle in Pittsboro, head west on US 64 Business (also West St.). At the first stoplight, take a right on Graham Road (NC Hwy. 87 North) and go about one-third mile. The senior center will be on your left.

If approved by county voters on Nov. 6, the 0.4% land transfer tax would provide an alternative revenue source to fund county facilities, including schools. The proposed tax is a one-time assessment on real estate property sales. The Board of Commissioners has voted to reduce the current county School Impact Fee from $2.900 to $1,900 if the land transfer tax is approved.

With the reduced School Impact Fee, the net gain in county revenues would be $2.5 million in 2008-09, which is the same as a 3.4-cent property tax increase.

“It is so important for residents to get the facts about the proposed land transfer tax before they vote,” said Chairman Carl Thompson. “Voters have a voice in how county facilities, especially schools, will be funded, so they need a chance to learn as much as they can about the proposed tax versus other options. People will also have a chance to ask questions or voice concerns.”

The meetings are expected to last at least an hour, but may last longer depending on attendance and how many questions attendees have.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE PROPOSED 0.4% LAND TRANSER TAX AND NOV. 6 REFERENDUM, CLICK HERE