“Unless the county wins the lottery, it will lead to tax increases”

That discouraging comment comes from Orange County Budget Director Donna Coffey in this Daily Tar Heel blog about the possible issuance of more debt.

Meanwhile, a group of Orange residents met this week to discuss a grassroots push to convince commissioners that the county’s property tax rate — 99.8 cents — is an undue burden on residents.

A group of residents met Wednesday to discuss what could be done about the county’s property tax, which they called “absurd.”

Many were concerned with the effect a tax increase would have on students and those living on a fixed income. Ann Allward, who rents seven properties to students, said an increase in taxes may force her to raise rent by $100 a month.

“If these bureaucrats keep slamming landlords, I don’t know what we’re going to do,” said Bryan Berger, who called Wednesday’s meeting. “It’s going to take super-rich college students to rent near the University.”

Commissioners can also call for another revaluation before the typical four years have passed if they see widespread decline in home prices.

Residents plan to lobby the commissioners for a tax decrease so that residents will end up paying less taxes than now.

“Politicians must be held accountable to their citizens,” said Augustus Cho, chairman of Chapel Hill’s Transportation Board. “Otherwise, democracy will collapse.”