Plug the drain of sales tax revenue erroneously flowing to other counties bordering Chatham County

Date: Thu, 6 Feb 2020 19:25:46 -0500
From: Terri Tyson
Subject: Vote NO on the sales tax increase on the Primary Referendum!

Dear Chatham Chatlist,

Plug the drain of sales tax revenue erroneously flowing to other counties bordering Chatham County! We need to ensure Chatham County is receiving its proper sales tax revenue when Chatham County citizens living near the border of Orange, Durham, and other counties make online purchases or purchase services from neighboring counties. Crucial tax revenue belonging to Chatham County is being sent to other counties because of an error!

Vote NO on the sales tax increase for Chatham County during the Primary election. There is a referendum on the ballot asking for approval of a sales tax increase for Chatham County. Vote NO! The problem is much sales tax revenue is going to bordering counties and it should be fixed, rather than raising the sales tax or other taxes. Please ask the Chatham County Commissioners to correct this longstanding problem.

Living in Chatham County is enhanced because of lower taxes than surrounding counties. Our sales tax is lower than Orange and Durham Counties, etc., yet many of us are erroneously charged the higher sales tax rate and revenue goes elsewhere.

Chatham County losing tax revenue because of a glitch in the systems of online companies can be fixed by government. The amount of lost tax revenue to Chatham is substantial. This is a more productive solution to obtaining more tax revenue, rather than burdening the citizens with another tax increase!

Countless online purchases are made by county residents for which the residents are overcharged sales tax and Chatham County receives nothing.

I spoke to the County Commissioners last May at a Budget Public Hearing and requested this problem be fixed and taxes not be raised. I received applause from the audience. People feel it is past time to take care of this problem!

I have a Chapel Hill zip code and I have often been overcharged sales tax which has then been sent to Orange County. It was not corrected by several companies even when I provided the full nine digit zip code.

Vote NO on the sales tax increase for Chatham County on the upcoming ballot referendum. The Primary election day is March 3rd, and early voting is February 13 to February 29. Instead, contact your Chatham County Commissioners and county government staff to fix this problem for the sake of Chatham County citizens and to fund necessary county programs.

Sincerely,

Terri Tyson