5 Percent of Your Income

This time of year, tax talk is focused on the feds and the state. But here’s the reality of what local government costs in North Carolina — in other words, the local tax and fee burden citizens face.

The average North Carolinian surrendered almost 5 percent of his personal income to fund city and county government in the 2008 budget year. That’s one of the key conclusions in the latest edition of By The Numbers, the John Locke Foundation’s yearly look at tax and fee collections by local government in North Carolina.

Here’s a look at how Triangle area cities and counties fare.

Inappropriate Lighting?

I love the night sky, but is it really an issue that calls out for government regulation? In Carrboro, it seems it’s not dark enough so the town is considering a government ordinance that, among other things, would force outdoor lights in Carrboro to be directed toward the ground.

The town may be a little darker at night if the Board of Aldermen decides to change outdoor lighting rules.

Town staff has prepared a draft ordinance that would create stricter standards for outdoor lights. It explains that inappropriate lighting can “interfere with observation of the nighttime sky,” create a glare and waste energy.

If passed, the new rules would apply to new developments that require permits. Existing lights would need to conform when they are replaced.

In subdivisions, lights would need to be shielded or directed to the ground.