As my readers may or may not know, on April 2nd
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.
