THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, April 17, 1996 TAG: 9604170379
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY ANNE SAITA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CURRITUCK LENGTH: Medium: 72 lines
Currituck County commissioners are again planning to ask the General Assembly for permission to raise various taxes to provide revenue for development costs.
An increased transfer tax, a 1 percent meals tax and impact fees were among the items approved Monday night as part of the county's legislative package.
Last year, identical requests were sent to Rep. W.C. ``Bill'' Owens, D-Pasquotank, but he decided against submitting bills for a 2 percent land-transfer tax and for impact fees on new residential developments. Owens said that the mood of the General Assembly, as well as heavy lobbying by the real estate industry, influenced his decision.
Currituck officials are hoping sentiments have changed.
``I think we should resubmit this. I mean, we've got to start somewhere,'' said Commissioner Owen Etheridge of Shawboro.
Etheridge, and others, said the county needs more money to serve a growing population.
Last year, property taxes - also known as ad valorem taxes - rose 9 cents to pay for a new high school being built with mostly voter-approved bonds.
Since development began to take off several years ago, the county has struggled to keep its services and facilities on pace with its population. Police, emergency medical services and schools particularly have felt the strain.
``The bottom line is to take some pressure off the ad valorem taxes,'' said Paul O'Neal, the commissioner representing Poplar Branch Township.
The board plans to seek state approval for:
A $1 increase in the land-transfer tax. This would raise the levy to $2 for every $100 value of property sold.
A 1 percent prepared food and beverage tax for meals and drinks sold at county restaurants.
Impact fees on new developments to help pay for the increased demand on county services and facilities.
Authorization for the county to deny new subdivisions when developers or property owners owe back taxes on the land submitted for approval.
Permission to hunt, trap and take foxes by gun or dog at any time of the year in Currituck County.
Finally, hopes are high that the General Assembly will allow the state's Wildlife Resources Commission to set the quitting time year-round for migratory waterfowl hunting.
The current law allows the commission to set daily quitting times until Nov. 1. After that time, hunting can only occur until 4:20 p.m. The board believes the commission would extend the winter quitting time if it had the authority.
In other board action Monday night, commissioners:
Approved a seven-lot addition to Cypress Shores, an Outer Banks community between Penny's Hill and Seagull subdivision.
Commissioner Ernie Bowden questioned the wisdom of requiring the Cypress Shores developer to pave roads to state standards when a national wildlife refuge to the south will remain unpaved.
``To pave that small piece of road seven miles from the nearest hard-topped road in Corolla seems absurd,'' Bowden said.
Approved identification cards for county voters. Most are expected to be distributed at polling places during the November elections; the remainder will be mailed.
Decided to readvertise for a county auditor. The Nags Head firm that expressed an interest wants to charge double the amount the county pays.
Agreed to prohibit campaign signs on the county courthouse complex. Signs, up to 32-square-feet in size, will be allowed on other county property. by CNB