Board of County Commissioners At-Large

Bernadette Pelissier* – Democrat

Served since 2008, chairwoman since 2010; served as chairwoman of the Orange Water and Sewer Authority

Goals

1. Diversify tax base by increasing non-residential revenues: commercial property and sales tax
2. Expand transit infrastructure
3. Maintain the quality K-12 education system

Economic development

• Continue allocating the quarter-cent sales tax to water and sewer lines, revolving loan fund and business investment grants

• Change the Unified Development Ordinance to make the rules clearer and reduce approval time

• Support continued collaboration with Durham Technical Community College to provide training programs

Mary Carter – Republican

Small business owner of iDesign Mobile Apps

Goals

1. As a Republican, act as a sounding board for the other members, who are all Democrats
2. Create broader collaboration across the communities and the governing bodies
3. Improve transparency between the board and its constituents

Economic development

• Stop focusing on only one “industry”: the University

• Simplify the Unified Development Ordinance to attract more businesses

• Broaden the tax base by bringing in more outside developers

• Increase tourism by attracting a more diverse range of developers and businesses