NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY

1963 SESSION

 

 

CHAPTER 187

HOUSE BILL 404

 

 

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF DUPLIN COUNTY TO CALL AN ELECTION ON THE QUESTION OF LEVYING TAXES FOR INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT PURPOSES.

 

The General Assembly of North Carolina do enact:

Section 1. The Board of County Commissioners of Duplin County is hereby authorized and empowered to call a special election to determine whether it be the will of the qualified voters of said county that the commissioners levy and cause to be collected annually, at the same time and in the same manner as the general county taxes are levied and collected, a special tax at a rate not to exceed five cents (5¢) on each one hundred dollars ($100.00) valuation of property in said county, to be known as an "Industrial Development Tax." The funds derived from said special tax, if the levy be authorized by the voters of said county, may be used for the purpose of aiding and encouraging the location of manufacturing enterprises, making industrial surveys and locating industrial and commercial plants in Duplin County, and for such other purposes as will, in the discretion of the Board of County Commissioners, increase the population, taxable property, or the agricultural, industrial and business prospects of Duplin County. Such funds shall be used and expended under the direction and control of the Board of County Commissioners of Duplin County under such rules and regulations or through such agencies as the board shall prescribe.

Sec. 2. There shall be no new registration of voters for such an election. The registration books shall be open for registration of new voters in said county and registration of any and all legal residents of said county, who are or could legally be enfranchised as qualified voters for regular general elections, shall be carried out in accordance with the general election laws of the State of North Carolina as provided for local elections. Notice of such registration of new voters shall be published in a newspaper circulated in said county, once, not less than thirty (30) days before and not more than forty (40) days before, the close of the registration books, stating the hours and days for registration. The special election, if called, shall be under the control and supervision of the county board of elections.

Sec. 3. The form of the question shall be substantially the words "For Industrial Development Tax", and "Against Industrial Development Tax", which alternates shall appear separated from each other on one ballot containing opposite, and to the left of each alternate, squares of appropriate size in one of which squares the voters may make a mark "X" to designate the voter's choice for or against such tax. Such ballot shall be printed on white paper and each polling place shall be supplied with a sufficient number of ballots not later than the day before the election. At such special elections the election board shall cause to be placed at each voting precinct in said county a ballot box marked "Industrial Development Tax Election".

Sec. 4. The duly appointed judges and other election officials who are named and fixed by the county board of elections shall count the ballots so cast in such election and the results of the election shall be officially canvassed, certified and announced by the proper officials of the board of elections, according to the manner of canvassing, certifying and announcing the elections held under the general election laws of the State. Except as herein otherwise provided, the registration and election herein provided for shall be conducted in accordance with the general election laws of the State as provided for local elections.

Sec. 5. If a majority of those voting in such election favor the levying of such a tax, the Board of Commissioners of Duplin County are authorized to levy a special tax at a rate not to exceed five cents (5¢) on each one hundred dollars ($100.00) of assessed value of real and personal property taxable in said county, and the General Assembly does hereby give its special approval for the levy of such special tax.

Sec. 6. All laws and clauses of laws in conflict with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed.

Sec. 7. This Act shall be in full force and effect from and after its ratification.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified, this the 9th day of April, 1963.