Given the dire economic news of late, it’s no surprise that the General Assembly and local governments are trying to get creative with local property taxes.  Consider the suggestion from one county to levy a more progressive property tax, with one rate for real property valued less than $1,000,000 and a much higher rate for more valuable properties.  How about a property tax exclusion available only in larger counties that might more easily absorb the reduction in tax revenues?

Given the dire economic news of late, it’s no surprise that the General Assembly and local governments are trying to get creative with local property taxes.  Consider the suggestion from one county to levy a more progressive property tax, with one rate for real property valued less than $1,000,000 and a much higher rate for more valuable properties.  How about a property tax exclusion available only in larger counties that might more easily absorb the reduction in tax revenues?

UPDATE February 2017: In 2013 the North Carolina General Assembly enacted legislation requiring voters to show photo ID at the polls and providing for provisional voting by voters who failed to do so.  In July 2016 the federal Fourth Circuit … Read more

Quick Quiz: Which of the following constitutes an installment finance agreement under North Carolina law? 1.  The Village of BlueSky purchases a fire truck for $350,000. To pay for the truck, the town enters into a financing agreement with a local … Read more

Quick Quiz: Which of the following constitutes an installment finance agreement under North Carolina law? 1.  The Village of BlueSky purchases a fire truck for $350,000. To pay for the truck, the town enters into a financing agreement with a local bank. The financing contract extends for a period of five years, at 4.2% interest. The town pays for and takes title to the truck, but grants the bank a security interest in the truck until the loan is repaid in full. 2.  Hazy County enters into a contract to build a new sheriff department annex. The total cost is $9 million.

Quick Quiz: Which of the following constitutes an installment finance agreement under North Carolina law? 1.  The Village of BlueSky purchases a fire truck for $350,000. To pay for the truck, the town enters into a financing agreement with a local bank. The financing contract extends for a period of five years, at 4.2% interest. The town pays for and takes title to the truck, but grants the bank a security interest in the truck until the loan is repaid in full. 2.  Hazy County enters into a contract to build a new sheriff department annex. The total cost is $9 million.

A city contracts with a private company to collect solid waste within the city. If not for this contract, city employees would carry out this function. The only connection between the city and the company is the contract. It’s a … Read more

A city contracts with a private company to collect solid waste within the city. If not for this contract, city employees would carry out this function. The only connection between the city and the company is the contract. It’s a small company and the contract accounts for a significant portion of its revenue. Is the private company subject to the public records law, the open meetings law, or other transparency requirements that apply to public agencies? The answer is clearly: no. The same city contracts with a nonprofit organization that promotes arts in the community.

A city contracts with a private company to collect solid waste within the city. If not for this contract, city employees would carry out this function. The only connection between the city and the company is the contract. It’s a small company and the contract accounts for a significant portion of its revenue. Is the private company subject to the public records law, the open meetings law, or other transparency requirements that apply to public agencies? The answer is clearly: no. The same city contracts with a nonprofit organization that promotes arts in the community.

When local governments wish to fund additional services for portions of their jurisdictions beyond those provided elsewhere, they can turn to special tax districts to raise the needed revenue.  My finance expert colleague Kara Millonzi recently offered two excellent posts … Read more