Think about the sales tax now

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By Chris Walker (Contact)

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

THE EMPORIA City Commission and Lyon County Commission are talking about a sales tax initiative going before voters on the August ballot.

With tight budgets, both commissions are thinking that sales tax revenue will help improve funding for city and county operations.

The county commission is suggesting that the new revenue would be divided in half. Half would be distributed to all the cities in the county by population. The second half would be used to lower property taxes. The sales tax would sunset after five years.

What has not been decided is how much of a sales tax to go after — half-cent, three-quarter-cent, or one-cent.

On the surface, the plan gives something to everyone:

- It provides a reduction in property taxes for landowners.

- The smaller communities around Emporia would get some modest proceeds.

- The county would get extra funding for its multiyear outlay fund.

- The city, which would get the largest share of money, could put it toward its capital improvement plan — CIP — which has been said to stand for “costly improvement plan” and has been the subject of much discussion.

Although the proposal gives something to everyone, voters will have to decide whether this is the right time for a tax increase.

Just as the commissions are facing tight budgets, so are residents. With high food costs, gasoline costs and increased living costs, a real squeeze is on right now. Unfortunately, most residents can’t raise taxes to increase their income. They just have to cut their spending.

As the commissions reveal more details about the sales tax proposal, take time to learn about the issue, because it will affect you.

The county commission will have a comment session on a 1-percent sales tax at 9:45 a.m. Thursday at the courthouse.

Christopher White Walker

Editor & Publisher