Blue Ribbon Committee Earns Statewide Recognition

4/16/2007

The Blue Ribbon Committee on the Future of Wake County, a group of 65 business and community leaders that met for seven months in 2006 to study long-term infrastructure needs of the County, was one of nine county programs from around the state to win a 2006 Outstanding County Program Award from the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC). The association presented the award to the Wake County Board of Commissioners at the Board's regular meeting Monday, April 16, 2007.

Commissioners' Chairman Tony Gurley thanked the committee and County and other staff for their roles in earning Wake County the statewide NCACC recognition.

"We value the work of this committee and staff who are dedicated to ensuring that we provide our future generations with the quality of life we have come to appreciate in Wake County today," Gurley said. "We know that we must be diligent today about preparing for tomorrow, and we appreciate the commitment of these community leaders. We are proud to accept this award on their behalf."

The Board of Commissioners established the Blue Ribbon Committee on the Future of Wake County to examine planned and projected needs for capital projects around Wake County for the next 20 to 30 years, and to propose future funding strategies. Commissioners appointed the committee in partnership with the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and the Wake County Mayors Association. The committee explored several topics, including facility needs for schools, Wake Tech, jails and courthouse space, transportation, water and sewer, and open space. The group originally focused on funding recommendations but expanded its scope to include cost-containment and revenue strategies.

In its report, presented to Commissioners on July 17, 2006, the Committee "agreed that opportunities to redesign capital plans and reduce costs should be pursued vigorously before requiring Wake County households and businesses to pay higher taxes and fees," but added that "it is clear that while pursuing cost controls, additional revenue sources also must be explored and implemented where necessary, to meet our responsibility to citizens to protect their already sizeable investment in public facilities."

Among other strategies, the Committee recommended the County assess property values every four years instead of eight years, and keep property tax rates constant as a way to raise additional revenue. In addition to property taxes, the Committee recommended that the County pursue alternative funding strategies, including a 1-percent sales tax that would help fund schools and road needs. The Committee also recommended that the County accelerate some water supply issues, most notably development of the Little River Reservoir, continue to build schools as needed, preserve open space and fund Wake Technical Community College capital projects.

The group had asked Chairman Gurley to report back within nine to 12 months about progress made on the recommendations. Gurley has called a meeting of the Committee on Wednesday, May 2, 2007, from 8 to 10 a.m., at Exploris in downtown Raleigh, to bring the committee members and other interested parties up to date with the report's status. The public is welcome to attend this meeting.

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