Kimminau proposes amending sales tax
By Eric Swanson
Dodge City Daily Globe
Part of Dodge City’s and Ford County’s sales tax should be used to lower property taxes by paying off the city’s debt for street repairs, Dodge City Commissioner Ed Kimminau said during Monday’s commission meeting.
The commission did not act on Kimminau’s proposal, but it did direct the Community Facilities Advisory Board to take a fresh look at concepts for a special events center and/or a convention center.
Revenues from the sales tax are currently used to finance the construction and maintenance of a series of entertainment-related projects known as the “Why Not Dodge” facilities. That includes the special events center, whose future remains uncertain. But Kimminau called for dedicating 15 percent of those revenues to retiring the bonds the city has issued to finance street repairs. He also proposed using the remaining 85 percent to finance the existing “Why Not Dodge” projects plus three new facilities: an outdoor water park, a convention center and a jail.
Kimminau said he suggested amending the sales tax because he wanted to help ease property owners’ tax burden.
“We have not only homeowners, but we have a lot of small businesses that are hurting because of our property taxes,” he said.
He also said he wanted to end the controversy over how to use the sales tax, and he hoped his proposal would encourage people to reach some agreement on that issue.
“I wish we could compromise in some way Q either that or start over,” Kimminau said.
According to the city’s legal adviser, Ken Strobel, the Dodge City and Ford County commissions could ask voters to approve a proposal reducing the sales tax by 15 percent. If voters did decide to reduce the sales tax, the commissions could then call for a separate vote on whether to impose a new tax Q as long as it was less than 1 percent Q for other specific projects.
Kimminau’s proposal sparked a lively discussion over the impact of the existing “Why Not Dodge” projects and the future of the special events center. But the commissioners did not spend much time debating the merits of the proposal.
Commissioner Mark Pingsterhaus said city and county leaders had not done a good job of deciding how to use the sales tax money in the past, and he hoped they would do better this year.
“I can’t tell you how frustrating it gets up here, where we have two different bodies plus other groups getting their hand in the pot, and everybody’s arguing and bickering and can’t get anything done,” he said. “At some point in time, you’ve just got to get over it and come to a consensus. You may not like what that consensus is, but do something and move ahead with a project or multiple projects.”
Some of the audience members who spoke up urged the commissioners to take some action instead of bickering.
Dodge City Community College president Richard Burke urged the commissioners to stop listening to the community’s nay-sayers and promote more positive discussions of the city’s future.
“Let’s focus on the 10 percent that are positive people and move forward, and try to get the other 90 percent to move forward in the community, which will better the community,” Burke said.
Dodge City resident Kent Smoll told the commissioners they should follow the directions voters gave them in 1997, when they approved the sales tax and the “Why Not Dodge” projects.
“You have a mandate from the public,” he said. “You just need to do your job.”
Reach Eric Swanson at (620) 408-9917 or e-mail him at
eric.swanson@dodgeglobe.com.
IMO...................
Ed Kimminau:
First of all, the only city commissioner who is concern about over taxing it's citizens is Ed Kimminau. At least he has the guts to stand up and at least propose a solution to many problems here in Dodge. I believe Ed will do what's best for us tax payers. Just talking to Ed will show you he is an honest man with no personal agenda. Of all the city commissioners he can be trusted the most.
Jim Sherer:
Everyone knows that Jim Sherer will follow Mike Nelsons lead concerning most issues. No problem figuring that out. He talks and sounds alot like Mike Nelson when in depth details are brought up. He should pay attention to real issues.
Mike Nelson:
The problem with Mike Nelson is that he may have a conflict with being a city commissioner and where some of his money comes from. To my understanding he does alot of promotion work for Dodge City. On channel 8 I've seen some very well produced commercials about Dodge. I believe Nelson did a great job. They deal with all the attractions here in the city. I have to admit that Mike is a progressive commissioner, but at what expense will it cost us tax payers?
Mark Pinksterhaus:
Now here is a man who is a real politician. He has no agenda, that I'm aware of, other than being a politician. He just won't take a stand or make a statement on a controversial issue? However, his vote does count and that is where his power lies.
Terry Lee:
A good mayor? I think so. He lets his opinions be known and does not apolize for them. What more can you ask from a public servant? Many have criticized him about his bankruptcy. In my opinion, everyone has a past. I do and I'm not to proud of it. Who hasn't made a few mistakes in their lives? We all have!
Richard Burke:
Dodge City Community College president Richard Burke urged the commissioners to stop listening to the community’s nay-sayers and promote more positive discussions of the city’s future.
“Let’s focus on the 10 percent that are positive people and move forward, and try to get the other 90 percent to move forward in the community, which will better the community,” Burke said.
Richard:
Just what the heck were you thinking when you said that? Who are the 10% and who are the 90%? I've been brought up to believe, and still do today, that a penny saved is a penny earned. I thought we lived in a democracy? Richard think about it!! Just what are you teaching at that College? Tax and Spend? I'm a positive person and I think it's positive (better) to save than to spend money on projects that are guaranteed to lose money.
Kent Smoll:
A lot of people have changed their minds since 1997. (Since the "Why Not Dodge?" projects have been such a financial failure.) We do have that right! I know you have the right to express you opinions, and in my opinion you are off base to suggest that we have no option but to follow the vote way back in 1997.
Mike B.:
I wrote this and I do have an agenda. Bring about accountability to our elected officials! Stop wasting our hard earned tax dollars! I'm talking about our sales and property tax. You guys (Mike, Jim, Ed, Mark and Terry) need to listen to the people!! If you do, you will be re-elected (for whatever that is worth) if not, you'll have an easier life.