vote out Ford County sales tax and ...

hmmm, Spearville, Bucklin, et al, stop getting $ thousands of dollars;

property tax for county goes up (Judge said build it -- Ford County will have to pay their part one way or another);

hmmm, hey Vernon -- do you really like higher property taxes ? And county towns, didn't you need the thousands of dollars you are getting ?

just a few thoughts.

[Mike B.]

Ok! I've got to say it.

The supporters of the SEC will tell you that the repeal is a dangerous road to travel because property taxes would increase to cover the lost revenue. This is not true! This is only a negative scare tactic! Those who tell you this, are either miss-informed or they want you to believe it is true. The fact of the matter is that property taxes increase because of one of two reasons, or the combination of both:
1) Your assessed value increases or
2) City and/or County Commissioners vote for an increase.

That decision rest solely upon them.
The repeal of a sales tax does not mean a property tax increase!


BTW: Ford County WILL NOT have to pay thier way one way or another!

The Judge said build it. However, He did not say how much was to be spent or who had to spend it!

[Bubba]

OK, I've got to say that I believe you are living in a fairy tale land if you think that the repeal of the sales tax will not lead to a property tax increase. When the funding for the why not dodge projects falls short, the commissioners will have no choice but to increase the mill levy to make up for the lack of funds. Not only that, but the SEC will work very well with the destination casino.

[lurker]

I've lost lots of sleep denying the inevitability of some sort of "Special" events center for Dodge.

Looking backwards leads me to believe that the delay in building it was an act of doG.

[Mike B.]

Bubba,

Do you really believe the commissioners will have no choice but to raise property taxes? Of course they will have a choice!

If the county does indeed repeal it's 1/2% wnd sales tax, the city alone will be responsible to build the sec. The county will not be, at all, responsible for the building of a sec. The county commissioners know this is true.

When this tax is repealed, the inter-local agreement between the City of Dodge City and Ford County will be dissolved. When this happens the County is held responsible to pay off all its debts (bonds issued) incurred by the WND sales tax. The remaining share of the County’s portion (somewhere around 5 million dollars) of the WND sales tax account will automatically be transferred into Ford County’s General Fund. The County would also enter into an agreement with the city as to which governing bodies will take ownership of the current facilities. (DCRP, Legends Complex). Then the County will be out of the picture.

Here's the question?

Will the City Commissioners raise the city budget by over $2.2 million per year to recover lost sales tax dollars from the countys' 1/2% wnd sales tax that was repealed?

The city commissioners (4 of 5) may try to hint that they will. But when it comes down to the nitty gritty, they will not vote to increase the city budget and designate property tax dollars for wnd projects. It just won't happen.

That's my opinion!

I know there are alot of people, myself included, who are being raked over the coals with the high property taxes of Ford County. Alot of people will, out of fear, do almost anything to keep property taxes from going up. Including using that fear to intimidate others.

[Bubba]

So what you are saying is F#@K the people that live in the city, let them pay for it? When the WND projects were being marketed the city and the county people thought it was a good idea by a large majority, but now that the going gets a little tough the county people want to stick it to the city. That's a real good moral attitude to have. Thanks a lot! The money is going to have to come from somewhere.

[lurker]

Originally Posted by Bubba

So what you are saying is F#@K the people that live in the city, let them pay for it? When the WND projects were being marketed the city and the county people thought it was a good idea by a large majority, but now that the going gets a little tough the county people want to stick it to the city. That's a real good moral attitude to have. Thanks a lot! The money is going to have to come from somewhere.

Bubba, You're right. The money is going to have to come from somewhere.

Published guesstimates suggest an operating loss that exceeds $4,000.00 per day IF it's utilized at guesstimated maximums....

Bubba, You're right. The money is going to have to come from somewhere.

[Bubba]

That is why I said that without the county's portion of the sales tax they would have no choice but to raise the property tax.

[lurker]

.... or lower the overall costs of a "Spatial" events center.

I'd be totally happy if they decided to build a big barn.

[Bubba]

If we have to build it we might as well do it right. While a barn might work for you and your donkey, it's not what is supposed to be built.