Reader poll
If city and county commissions push a sales tax increase to help their budgets what increase would you support?
- .5 cent
- .75 cent
- 1 cent
- No increase just cut budget
- Undecided
514 total votes.
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
Marvin (anonymous) says...
I would hate it as much as anyone to see anymore taxes but I do feel the sales tax would be a better way to go than increasing property taxes. The sales tax would apply to everyone not just those who have property. The city and county have to run and they have to come up with the money someway. If we don't approve the sales tax,and spread the burden around, they will have no other place to get it other than property tax. I would support a 1% sales tax increase in hopes we could make improvements to our city/county that in turn would pay off for us in the long run. I would say support the sales tax increase-not property tax.
May 14, 2008 at 3:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hickory (anonymous) says...
And don't forget about the out- of -towners that come to Emporia, year in and year out to all of the sporting events and tournaments, that spend their money at restaurants, motels and other places.........they will be paying this sales tax too. This is the best thing the county and city could do. Let everyone help pay, not just the property owners. With a sales tax, a person doesn't notice it so much.
May 14, 2008 at 5:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Kansan (anonymous) says...
Do you really think they are going to lower your property taxes? I don't see where that is going to be placed on the ballot along with the sales tax increase.
May 14, 2008 at 6:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
momus (anonymous) says...
Stopping a property tax increase pre-supposes that a sales tax increase will bring significantly more income than the current sales tax. Calculate the current sales tax revenue, adjust for the potential loss in population coming over the next fiscal year (and cooresponding sales), and then someone explain how that's going to happen.
Secondly, you simply don't add more tax pressure to disposable income during a recession. The current economic evironment is MUCH to fluid to add another variable. Give it a year, let people catch their breath and then propose your tax.
May 14, 2008 at 7:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
railroadhorn (anonymous) says...
The city of Emporia is half homeownership and half renters. So, yes, it's time to make a tax that's able to be more equitable and in line with similar cities' sales tax rates. Emporia needs a boost now.
May 14, 2008 at 7:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Kansan (anonymous) says...
Hey Krusty... read the article. It exactly says "the second half would be used to lower property taxes"...."it provides a reduction in property taxes for landowners"
May 14, 2008 at 8:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eiggohp (anonymous) says...
I agree with former posts. It is a lot more fair to raise the sales tax than to raise property tax. We can not afford any more raises in property taxes in this city. Let the renters and those from other towns help us with their sales tax...they use this city also.
May 14, 2008 at 8:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
admireed (anonymous) says...
Kstrebuchet...key word is MAY. Property taxes wil NOT go down. It is more money to spend period. Get all sorts of real/personal property off exemptions and a bunch of money could be raised
May 14, 2008 at 9:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )