A RESOLUTION CALLING A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER AMENDMENTS TO THE TOWN OF CHAPEL HILL VOTER OWNED ELECTION PROGRAM IN RESPONSE TO COMMENTS FROM THE NORTH CAROLINA STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS (2009-02-09/R-5)

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, on June 9, the Town Council enacted Ordinance 2008-06-09/O-10 establishing a program for public campaign financing program for Town municipal elections; and

 WHEREAS, Chapter 222 of the 2007 Session Laws requires that the State Board of Elections review and approve the Town’s program; and,

WHEREAS, the State Board of Elections has requested certain adjustments to the Town’s program; and

WHEREAS Chapter 222 of the 2007 Session Laws requires the Council hold at least one public hearing on a proposed public campaign financing program prior to adopting it;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council calls a public hearing for February 23, 2009, to receive public comment on the modifications to the Chapel Hill Voter Owned Elections Program requested by the State Board of Elections.

 This the 9^th day of February, 2009.