A RESOLUTION CALLING A PUBLIC HEARING ON AN ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH THE TOWN OF CHAPEL HILL VOTER-OWNED ELECTION PROGRAM TO PROVIDE A UNIFORM, NONDISCRIMINATORY PROGRAM OF PUBLIC FINANCING TO CANDIDATES FOR MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL (2008-04-14/R-11)
WHEREAS, in July, 2007, the North Carolina General Assembly enacted Chapter 222 of the 2007 Session Laws, authorizing the Town of Chapel Hill to establish a uniform, nondiscriminatory program of public financing of municipal elections in Chapel Hill; and,
WHEREAS, that law provides that the Town may appropriate funds for a public campaign financing program which is approved by the State Board of Elections; and,
WHEREAS, in November, 2007, the Town Council established a Council Committee to develop a proposed public campaign financing program; and,
WHEREAS, the Council Committee has received and considered the guidelines for the Town’s program provided by the State Board of Elections; and,
WHEREAS, on April 14, 2008, the Council Committee submitted its report and recommendation to the Town Council for a public campaign financing program for Town municipal elections; and,
WHEREAS, Chapter 222 of the 2007 Session Laws requires that the Council hold at least one public hearing on a proposed public campaign financing program prior to adopting it; and,
WHEREAS, the Town Council has considered the report and recommendation of the Council Committee and has determined that the program as proposed should be taken forward for consideration at a public hearing.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council calls a public hearing for May 12, 2008, to receive public comment on the draft Chapel Hill Voter Owned Elections Program to establish a public campaign financing program for Town municipal elections.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council directs the Manager and Attorney to provide appropriate notice of the hearing and to prepare a draft ordinance that would establish the program presented on April 14, with such amendments as the Council approved on April 14, for consideration at the May 12 public hearing.
This the 14th day of April, 2008.