Let the pilfering begin!!!

[Detector]

Source: http://www.hutchnews.com/news/region...ds092106.shtml

DODGE CITY - Boot Hill Museum and other public Ford County entities that promote Old West heritage can access funds generated by a special sales tax here, a judge said Wednesday, reversing an earlier ruling. <!--P2-->

Senior Judge Ronald Innes' determination last June that only publicly owned entities could draw from a special half-cent Dodge City and half-cent Ford County sales tax had left Boot Hill officials scrambling. The privately owned, nonprofit museum, Dodge City's main tourist draw, has drawn $475,000 from the sales tax stream since last year to make ends meet, but the initial ruling meant it would be unable to do so going forward.

Innes' reversal, however, which was sought by Dodge City and Ford County leaders, prompted a sigh of relief among many. And Boot Hill board member Jeff Thorpe said the financially strapped museum likely would seek funding from the sales tax stream for next year as a result.

"Such funding is important because Boot Hill will otherwise deplete its operating capital late in the year," Thorpe said.

Jack Dalton, a retired attorney who had argued against any change to Innes' original ruling, said he wouldn't appeal. His main goal in filing the suit that led to Wednesday's action was forcing movement on the long-stalled plans to build a special events center, which Innes has already said should get priority from city and county leaders.

At issue in Wednesday's hearing had been whether Innes went too far in voiding part of an accord between Dodge City and Ford County that says sales tax money could go to entities that draw tourists and promote the zone's Old West history. That June 27 determination had been a secondary finding behind the judge's main contention that the controversial events center plans merit priority status.

Ken Strobel, the city's legal counsel, and Glenn Kerbs, legal counsel for the county, argued Wednesday that local officials have authority to determine how sales tax money can be spent, within certain restraints. Moreover, they said funneling money to entities like Boot Hill is consistent with the overall aim of using the revenue stream to lure visitors and promote economic development.

Innes ultimately concurred, saying his initial interpretation "was probably too restrictive." He said an entity open to the public, not just something publicly owned, ought to potentially have access to sales tax money.
Meanwhile, efforts to craft plans for an events center, which would potentially serve as an entertainment venue and convention center, continue. Though the 1997 ballot initiative that created the special city and sales tax contemplates construction of the facility, many have argued that such a structure is not needed.

[lurker]

Moreover, they said funneling money to entities like Boot Hill is consistent with the overall aim of using the revenue stream to lure visitors and promote economic development.

Hi. My name is lurker HI LURKER and I voted (SHUDDER) "yes" on that ballot.

groan

I know. But I was mislead. sigh I believed Garth Brooks was promoting it so he's finally have a real place to play. YES!

Now I'm told it wasn't to attract Garth and instead the money'$ gunna be also $pent on has-beens? Yes lurker. The rulez were changed.

Is there a 12-step program to get away from those run-away $pendoholic$?

No lurker. It's not their money and it's no longer yours either. Your vote just gave them permission to spend it.

[lurker]

Well Golly! I didn't know my vote was also for $850,000.00 in improvements to our football field.

School district proposes partnership for renovating Memorial Stadium
USD 443 officials had a question for the Community Facilities Advisory Board on Thursday: Was the board interested in helping the school district turn Memorial Stadium into a venue that could benefit the entire community? It was.
RIf I sense the pulse of this organization correctly, we agree to take the next step,S said CFAB Chairman Greg Starks.

The CFAB did not vote on whether to recommend funding for the project from the RWhy Not DodgeS sales tax fund but decided to explore the possibility of forming a partnership with the school district.

There is more on the Blobe's website.

Oh, here's a homely picture of our home field:

[Highwayman]

Originally Posted by lurker

Well Golly! I didn't know my vote was also for $850,000.00 in improvements to our football field.

Don’t you love finding out what you voted for after the fact?

Wonder what else is in there that they forgot to tell us about?

[Bubba]

So far it's only to the CFAB, I say that if the Commissioners approve it we should hold a recall election for a whole new set of commissioners.

[Made in the USA]

Well, if they got that much money to spend on things we didn't vote on, then send some mitUSA's way!!! I got a "Western Theme". Yes, that is a "pistol" in my pocket, and I am "just glad to see ya"!!

[Mike B.]

Luker,

When you voted for the "WND?" not only did you vote for the four facilities you also voted for ..."other related projects"... those projects are to be determinded by the CFAB and our city and county commissions. What a mess we got ourselves into! I have to keep looking on the bright side...there's alot of good we can do with 4 million tax dollars brought in each and every year! Just think of the possibilities!!

[Kodiak]

Wonder if I could goes down there to the meeting and ask for sum of my money back to replace my deck and put some new siding on my ole house, would improve the looks of DC. Wonder how much to ask fer, 30 maybe 40 thousand. You have to understand that I am a not for profit person.

[Mike B.]

Kodiak,

You might get some of those sales tax dollars if you use a western theme siding!

[Kodiak]

Suppose if it would work, think the County would let me borrow a Dump Truck and haul in some free topsoil from one of them County Commish's pasture.