Taney County Library tax vote on April 2!

As my readers may or may not know, on April 2^nd 2013 as part of the General Municipal Election, voter’s will be asked to vote yea or nay on a new tax that would allow for the upgrade of two private libraries located in Branson and Forsyth. The tax would be a levy added to property tax assessments and would amount to 15 cents for every $100 of assessed valuation.

As you might guess, some citizens are not particularly happy with what they feel is yet another tax hike with no visible cuts to act as a counterweight. Others, like this individual, bring up the question of trust of the political process overall:

‘Tax & Spend = Failed Promises Most taxpayer’s in Taney County have never taken the time to check up on the political subdivisions that collect taxes in this county. What really goes on at their board meetings? What happens when you request public records? How much do they spend on employee’s salaries? Do the boards actually follow the state law they were formed under?

Unfortunately, most citizens can’t answer these simple questions. On the other hand, there is a small group of citizen’s working hard to keep watch over how tax dollars are spent by the ever-growing list of political subdivisions in Taney County. How much is enough? Will the citizens of Taney County on April 2nd accept more of the same old rhetoric and live with more taxes, resulting in more failed promises from yet another political board? I believe there are some facts that taxpayers deserve to know about the individuals managing their tax dollars. These facts just start to tell the story of waste, and over taxation that the citizens of Taney County have experienced for years. The health department is funded through a 14¢ per $100 of assessed evaluation on property tax. They currently spend 1.5 million dollars a year on just the top 15 highest paid employees. The developmentally disabled board collects 8.9¢ per $100 of assessed evaluation on property tax. However, they recently spent $650,000 on a church building that is over 15 years old. The senior board receives their money through 5¢ per $100 of assessed evaluation on property tax; in spite of this the board has yet to provide meals on wheels to all seniors in need, even with a surplus of tax money. The Branson School district collects $4.02/$100 of assessed evaluation on property tax. They spend over 1.2 million dollars a year on the top 15 highest paid employees. The board also doesn’t allow public comment at their monthly board meetings, and they attempt to restrict access to public records. The Taney County Ambulance District is funded from a sales tax collected in Taney County.

Approximately 70% of their yearly budget consists of payroll and benefits. According to the director there isn’t an ambulance station East of the Kissee Mills junction because quote, “It just isn’t profitable”, yet those living in Eastern Taney County have paid the tax for years. The proposed Library District and its board continue to promise countless things to the voters, like a book delivery service, a coffee shop, public meeting space and computer access. These promises are part of the same similar rhetoric used by other groups who have proposed taxes in the past. I encourage more citizens to ask tough questions, attend board meetings, and request public records. Ask yourself one important question on April 2nd: Can the people of Taney County bare the burden of more taxes and failed promises?’

While I have been a long time supporter of the library in Forsyth and would like to see it prosper, I also feel this individual brings up some valid points. I would also encourage every citizen to get involved in this debate. After all it is your money they’re talking about.