1998-12-07 - Laserfiche WebLink

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16 Barefoot said that the Task Force will hold a charette on January 23 to discuss turning Court Square into more of an historic area, adding that they would like to see undergrounding of utilities in that area first. REPORT: THOMAS JEFFERSON PLANNFNG DISTRICT COMMISSION LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE Ms. Bonnie Fronfelter, Legislative Liaison with the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission, presented the Commission's draft legislative package. Position papers in the package have been developed on the following topics: composition index for education funding; school construction and renovation; sales tax exemption on food; HP 599 funding for law enforcement; deregulation of electric utilities; and growth management initiatives. Responding to a question from Mr. Cox, Ms. Fronfelter said that the latest thinking is that the cost of reducing the sales tax on food will be made up from the State's general fund. Mr. Caravati asked if the local administrative cost for the property tax reimbursement is being funded, and Ms. Fronfelter said that the State has agreed to reimburse localities, but there may be a lag time in receiving the funds. Responding to a question from Mr. Cox, Ms. Fronfelter said that the Commission had approximately a 50% success rate with the position papers. Ms. Richards asked if there have been any discussion of taxation of electronic sales in the General Assembly, and Ms. Fronfeker said that Technology and Science Committee has been studying the issue. She said she understands that there is no legislation proposed this year, but one of the principles of the Committee is not to expand taxes to internet sales. Mr. Toscano noted that there is federal legislation under consideration that would pre-empt states from enacting taxes on electronic sales. Ms. Richards said she would favor adding giving localities the right to tax electronic sales to the package, Mr. Caravati expressed concern about the fee proposed in the growth management section since he views it as a regressive tax. Mr. Toscano made a motion to approve the Commission's legislative package with the exception of the growth management section. Mr. Caravati seconded the motion. Ms. Richards requested that the motion be amended to maintain the vested fight portion of the growth management section and Mr. Toscano accepted the amendment. Mr. Caravati said he would be willing to approve the growth management section if the fee was a sliding scale based on square footage, and Mr. Toscano accepted this amendment. Ms. Richards said she would like to include a statement about the tax on electronic sales, and Ms. Fronfelter suggested that a statement be added opposing legislation that pre-empts localities' ability to impose a tax on electronic sales. Mr. Toscano accepted this amendment to his motion and, as amended, the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission legislative package was unanimously approved by Council (Ayes: Mr. Caravati, Mr. Cox, Ms. Daugherty, Ms. Richards, Mr. Toscano. Noes: None.) REPORT: CITY'S LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE Ms. Lisa Kelley, Assistant City Attorney, presented the City's legislative package.