amending sales tax

[Mike B.]

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.

[K C Muffin]

I don't have a vote there, so my opinion is just that....

If the vote was done back in '97, why wasn't there a time limit clause in it? So that if it wasn't accomplished in a certain period of time, it was tabled and the tax dropped? That's standard procedure in any business contract.

As far as Kent Smoll, his job as a commissioner is to follow what the people say to do. They spoke and he intends to follow it. That's not all bad. But consider that the whole economic structure of Dodge changes frequently....people move in and people move out. So what would be the problem with admitting that, since the project is stumbling, and that costs have gone up, a re-vote needs to be done to again take the pulse of the community?

If it's a legislative thing, then go to the Attorney General for an opinion. But get it done, one way or other. Just my thoughts...........

[dodgehighforeve]

just an fyi, Kent smoll isn't a commisioner. He's a local CPA.

[K C Muffin]

Oh, oops! I thought, since he was mentioned in the same post as other commissioners that he was also a commissioner. OK, then, since he isn't a commissioner, he needs to stick to his CPA'in'. And the commissioners need to pull their heads out. The plan, as it was presented, was authorized by the city voters. That plan obviously won't work now - I think it needs to go back to the voters before a decision to build/not to build is made. The voter-makeup has changed greatly in the last 5 years.

[dodgehighforeve]

KCM, honest mistake, i figured that's why you thought that. But, I agree with you, as do many others I've talked too. The main reason they put all 4 why not dodge projects together back in 97 was because they knew they could never pass all four projects on thier own. I think they figured that if each voter wanted one of the four projects, they'd vote yes for it. The two biggest things that helped pass it were the "Dirt" track, and the Civic Center upgrades. I think these two would have passed on thier own, especailly with them promising a dirt track, even though the proposal was written so they could decide on what it was after it was voted in. Anyway, back to my original thought, many people didn't really want, or thought we needed the extra ball fields, or the event's center. Now, 8+ years later, people are tired of the bs, they simply think we don't need it, and are tired of all the arguing.

One solution I can think of, seems simple, so therefore, they won't do it.

1. Put the events center to a public vote to see if we still want it. Not location, no trickey wording, just yes of no, do you want it. If yes, build it, if no, then don't.
2. Sell the race track. The only way it'll make us any money is to sell it, and collect property tax on it. Give them a tax abatement it you have to, just be smart about it. No more than 5 years or so. Not a permanent like Excel has.
3. Vote to rescind the tax.
4. Then vote on how to use the tax. After paying off debts attributed to the projects we could vote to fund the remaining projects, ball fields, and upgrades to the Civic Center, which were never completed correctly to begin with. Or, use them to fund current projects and to help ease property taxes.


There's a lot of money in an account somewhere that could seriously help the residents of this community, and if no help is offered, there won't be any residents left in this community.

[Mike B.]

dodgehighforever,

Holy Smoke!! You've hit the nail right on the head! Your proposed solutions are right!!!

You stated: "One solution I can think of, seems simple, so therefore, they won't do it.

1. Put the events center to a public vote to see if we still want it. Not location, no trickey wording, just yes of no, do you want it. If yes, build it, if no, then don't.
2. Sell the race track. The only way it'll make us any money is to sell it, and collect property tax on it. Give them a tax abatement it you have to, just be smart about it. No more than 5 years or so. Not a permanent like Excel has.
3. Vote to rescind the tax.
4. Then vote on how to use the tax. After paying off debts attributed to the projects we could vote to fund the remaining projects, ball fields, and upgrades to the Civic Center, which were never completed correctly to begin with. Or, use them to fund current projects and to help ease property taxes.


There's a lot of money in an account somewhere that could seriously help the residents of this community, and if no help is offered, there won't be any residents left in this community."

What you've stated is what I believe in 100%. I've even talked with Ed Kimminau and he agrees also.

I'm with you on this one!!

Mike B.

[Highwayman]

Dodgehigh, when do you run for city commissioner? Sounds like you should.

[TexKan]

Now you know DC will NEVER have "common sense" on the round table of commissioners. If you really think they would sounds like a grass roots campaign to me - maybe Mike B can help ya out - sounds like it would be to his best advantage as well as to the best advantage of the folks still livin there. What would DC do if it actually had "honest" - no "smoke and mirrors" folks raisin thier hands in the vote?????............... Bring it on Mike!!!!

[Mike B.]

dodgehigh,

I think hwyman has a good idea. You running for city commissioner in this Springs election would be a good thing for you to do. I'll support you will alot of money and time! I'd run myself, but as everyone knows a person with a questionable past will never be elected!

DC needs commissioners who are honest and straight forward, with no agenda other than helping the citizens of DC.

I know there are alot of people who think the way you do and you can get their vote! I'd be behind you as would many others.

Think about it!!

Mike B.

[Highwayman]

Even if he didn’t win it would get his plan a lot of publicity and may help turn things around.