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9 <br /> <br /> Mr. Norris said it would be helpful to hear more about how we can address the $3 <br />million to $4 million need without a fee. <br /> <br /> Mr. O’Connell said we are now dealing with it on an emergency basis. He said <br />$2 million a year is four cents on the tax rate. He said that the proposed schedule is <br />pretty aggressive if the fee is to be included in the tax bills. He said people will be <br />getting their tax bills thinking there is no tax rate increase and then they will see the fee <br />on their bill and think it is a rate increase. He suggested exploring an interim plan and <br />long-term financing, hope the economy improves, and then do it. He said people in the <br />community do not realize what a problem it is. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown said a fee based system will always have the issue of showing up on <br />the bill for the first time, and said it is not unique to this year. <br /> <br /> Mr. Norris said the recommendation is to continue the public process and have <br />staff develop an ordinance and rate. He asked how Council would like to proceed. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown said we started talking about this two years ago and the problem is that <br />people do not see that it is a problem. He said a fee helps deal with the issue and is the <br />only system that really gets us anywhere. <br /> <br /> Mr. Huja said he supports spending more capital money on this. <br /> <br /> Ms. Edwards said it is important to have education and public input. <br /> <br /> Mr. Norris said he is hearing that the majority of Council wants to do further <br />outreach. <br /> <br /> Ms. Riddervold asked if there are specific questions Council wants to ask the <br />public and specific people we need to engage. <br /> <br /> Mr. Norris said he trusts in staff and the consultant to figure that out. He said he <br />would keep it open-ended, asking for feedback on the recommendations and if the public <br />has any ideas. He said he still does not feel a strong enough case has been made for the <br />new administrative costs. He said he would rather see money invested in actual <br />improvements and in providing more essentials. <br /> <br /> On motion by Dr. Brown, seconded by Ms. Edwards, Council voted to continue <br />public outreach, and to have staff develop an ordinance and rate resolution as <br />recommended by the committee by the following vote. Ayes: Dr. Brown, Ms. Edwards, <br />Mr. Norris. Noes: Mr. Huja and Mr. Taliaferro. <br /> <br />REPORT <br />: STATE LEGISLATION TO ALLOW ONE CENT INCREASE IN SALES <br />TAX FOR TRANSIT AND TRANSPORTATION <br /> <br /> Mr. Brown said the recommendation of the City/County working group on the <br />regional transit authority is to request State legislation allowing up to an additional one <br />cent in sales tax designated solely for transportation and transit. He said a referendum <br />requirement is included for both the City and the County. He said this is consistent with <br />what Council approved in its legislative package. He said the prospects for the General <br />Assembly passing legislation to allow the increase this year is not good. <br /> <br /> Mr. Huja made a motion to approve the proposed legislation and Mr. Taliaferro <br />seconded the motion. <br /> <br /> Mr. Huja asked about a fall back funding position, and Mr. Brown said staff can <br />make legislators aware of the fallback funding proposal, but he would not suggest adding <br />it to this document. <br /> <br /> The motion was approved by the following vote. Ayes: Dr. Brown, Ms. Edwards, <br />Mr. Huja, Mr. Norris, Mr. Taliaferro. Noes: None. <br /> <br />