Misinformation about the proposed transfer tax for Orange County is being disseminated to voters who will make a decision on the transfer tax on the May 6th ballot. I wish to correct that misinformation by showing what the effect is on the five counties that have had the transfer tax for many years.
Six counties were given permission to levy the tax and five took advantage of it. During those years, growth in the counties has not slowed, their ad valorum taxes are the lowest in the state and they have more money for schools. In fact, after the transfer tax passed, their ad valorum property taxes went down while their school funding increased. The sixth county that declined to enact the transfer tax, has one of the highest ad valorum taxes in the state, has had slow development and low school funding. In other words, those counties with the transfer tax have flourished and their schools are well funded while enjoying low property taxes.
The choice is for ever increasing ad valorum property taxes to pay for our growth and the need for more schools and parks to accommodate that growth, or a one-time tax that affects a family maybe only one or two times in their lives.
Finally, signs are sprouting up around the county that say, “Vote no on the home tax.†This catchy but incorrect slogan ignores the fact that the ad valorum property tax is a “home tax†already, just one that is hard on those with a fixed income.
I hope everyone will carefully consider the true value of the transfer tax in providing Orange County with the schools and parks it needs to serve our current population and those who join us later.
—Ellie Kinnaird
Carrboro
The misinformation is Ms. Kinnairds. She is comparing us to coastal counties largely having vacation homes. High turnover, high price, low impact on local schools etc- they are summertime rentals.
Lies, lies, lies. Shame on Ms. Kinnaird.
The school system stated recently that the growth in school children is coming from RENTALS not homes. This tax will force those with homes to further subsidize renters. Apartment complexes and their occupants will never pay this tax. It places an unfair burden on homeowners.
The truth is found on sites like squeezethepulp.com. Vote this tax down.