THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, March 13, 1995 TAG: 9503130038
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY BETTY MITCHELL GRAY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RALEIGH LENGTH: Short : 49 lines
Longtime Ocracoke Island residents faced with losing their homes to rising property taxes are just one group of taxpayers who would be helped earlier than planned by a bill approved by the state Senate last week.
The measure was supported by all members of the Senate's coastal delegation when the chamber voted 44-4 to give counties the authority to enact local homestead exemptions in addition to the statewide homestead exemption.
The exemption would allow counties to help low-income, elderly and disabled property owners by reducing their tax liability.
The measure now moves to the House.
The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Roy A. Cooper III, a Rocky Mount Democrat, would amend the state Constitution to give counties the needed flexibility, and it requires a voter referendum to be held during the November 1995 general election. In the original version of the bill, voters would not decide the measure until 1996.
If approved, the change would be effective for the January 1996 listing period for 1996 taxes, instead of 1997 as originally planned.
``It gives the flexibility that Hyde County needs, and not just Hyde County, but any of our counties can use it,'' said Senate leader Marc Basnight, a Manteo Democrat, in an interview last week.
The homestead exemption measure was one of several bills of regional interest before the General Assembly. Others include:
A measure that would add Southern Shores to the list of Dare County communities that prohibit the running of deer by dogs. The measure, sponsored by Rep. William T. Culpepper III, D-Chowan, would be effective Oct. 1.
A bill including Currituck County on the list of counties where bear-hunting season could be extended by two days. The measure, sponsored by Rep. W.C. ``Bill'' Owens Jr., D-Pasquotank, would be effective upon approval by the General Assembly.
A bill that would add Currituck County to the list of counties that can acquire property for use by the county board of education. The measure, sponsored by Owens, would be effective on various dates in 1995.
A bill that would appropriate $25,000 to Craven County to help pay for a pilot project to develop alternatives to septic tanks. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Zeno Edwards, R-Beaufort, and others, would be effective July 1. by CNB