Orange County could take a step toward addressing its part in contributing to climate change while preparing for effects that would be felt locally under a new proposal during the county’s budget discussions.
County Commissioner Mark Marcoplos last week proposed a quarter-cent increase on the property tax rate that would go to a dedicated fund used for county programs addressing climate change.
According to Marcoplos, the quarter-cent hike he is proposing would yield $469,272 in funds.
“Communities and counties across the US have set goals for carbon reductions and renewable energy contributions,” Larry Shirley said at a commissioner meeting this week. “However, in the South, I am unaware of any counties yet to dedicate a dedicated part of their tax base to putting real dollars behind their goals.”
Public comments at Tuesday night’s meeting were largely centered on the tax proposal.
Shirley, a resident of Carrboro, applauded the proposal, saying it would make Orange County an example for the state and the rest of the country.
“On behalf of your constituents, show them you are truly serious about addressing the greatest single challenge facing our society today,” he said.
Sally Robertson, a resident of Orange County and solar project coordinator at environmental group NC WARN, said the move made her proud to be a local of an area taking active steps around this issue.
“Considering the world’s scientists say we only have 12 years to reduce our carbon emissions by half or else get run over by the locomotive that is climate change,” Robertson said, “you wouldn’t really think it a visionary act to step off the railroad tracks. But apparently it is.”
Of the roughly 15 members of the public signed up to speak on the tax hike at Tuesday night’s meeting, only one stood in opposition to the proposal.
Paul Warner, a 30-year resident of Hillsborough said the county shouldn’t be raising taxes any higher than they already are and should focus on local problems instead of global issues like climate change.
“I don’t think putting a windmill in Hillsborough is going to solve that,” Warner said. “I would like to register my dissent to this plan, I know I’m in the minority here.”
Marcoplos has outlined a list of possible programs for the dedicated funds identified by county sustainability officials, including weatherization of low-income homes and making current and future county buildings more energy-efficient.
The commissioners will continue budget discussions at a work session at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Southern Human Services Center. Budget amendments like the proposal from Marcoplos are scheduled to be discussed at a work session next Tuesday. According to the county manager, the budget will be voted on by commissioners on June 18.
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Or, you could encourage everyone to go vegan, which would actually save them money, improve their health, and save the planet.
Our taxes are already much too high! People need to be willing to make changes in their lifestyle. Animal agriculture is so destructive to our planet — adopting a plant-based diet, or at the very least reducing our consumption of animal products, is the most effective way an individual can make a difference.
So true. It’s time we all get serious about climate change, and a new tax is not the answer.
Love that communities are starting to take climate change action into their own hands! Let’s just make sure these efforts are evidence-based and don’t fall into the hands of special interests. We need to hold companies and large institutions accountable. We also need to stop letting our local representatives use their own unscientific ideas about environmentalism and climate change to guide the work. I absolutely applaud Carrboro for adopting a climate action plan but that process was painful. Aldermen taking up way too much time talking about all the deer eating their plants in their backyard gardens and how everyone should compost was truly exhausting. Hunting groups who wanted an excuse to bow hunt in city limits tried to slip their agenda into the plan even though deer have nothing to do with climate change. The biggest contributing factors to global heating were barely addressed until the community demanded it. This should be a difficult and uncomfortable process and requires accountability. The public needs to be invested.
Exactly!
So true!
To be clear, about 14 people showed support (this is taken from your reporting). I think your headline on Google news should reflect that. Personally, I can support a tax increase if it has positive environmental outcomes, but the ‘windmill’ in OC is not that.
Orange County is struggling to fund the requested school budget and that should be the top priority. If it is not fully funded, teachers and positions will be cut. Another 30 million to upgrade our old school buildings and weatherize homes would be available if it has not wasted on the light rail project. Dedicating money to address a huge problem makes us feel good but we’ve got to think of people with limited incomes. A few of us sent this letter to the commissioners suggesting things they can do through policy and not through new taxes.
https://www.chalt.org/letter-concerning-tax-increase/
Orange County has an immediate climate change impact that needs to be addressed. Substantial parts of Chapel Hill are built in areas that may not be historical flood zones, or flood plains, but in light of the rapid rise in the inches/per hour of rainfalls already present, and doing damage to roads and homes around the state, Orange County needs to put more resources into major planning and building of capacity to deal with large amounts of rapid rainfall runoff (flash floods). Drought in drier months does not mitigate the threat substantially. As can be seen in the midwest, large areas of land can be flooded (i.e. shallow lakes created), in areas that are currently occupied by homes and businesses. I agree we must, as a community, likewise put our resources into reducing our carbon emissions. If we are so self-serving to not care about the rest of the planet, rest assured increasing traffic and air pollution threaten to turn Chapel Hill into a “green freeway”. Yes I know trees mitigate air pollution. I also know they are a tiny weapon against the freeways that course through our city.