After months of talks the county’s sales tax committee has agreed on numbers for a possible sales tax initiative to place on a ballot later this year.
By unanimous vote of the remaining committee members present at the Monday, Feb. 24 meeting, the committee plans to recommend the county commissioners place sales tax questions for a one-quarter cent extension of the parks and recreation and storm water sales tax and a one-quarter cent law enforcement sales tax. Both taxes would run for 10 years.
Committee member Gordon Cook presented spreadsheets of several 10-year scenarios, breaking down both tax proposals into various configurations. Cook’s numbers were based on information provided by auditor Kevin Robinson, who was also present at the meeting.
After the presentation, Robinson weighed in with his opinion. He was skeptical of the viability of 10-year financial projections, but said he didn’t believe the numbers had been manipulated in any way.
“I think Gordon has made reasonable assumptions in trying to make the mathematical gymnastics to stretch these estimates to 10 years,” Robinson said, noting his own projections followed a more realistic four-year track.
At the last meeting, committee members were unable to reach a consensus, or even a majority on either of two tax proposals suggested. This time, members were quick to agree on the first motion made by member Wes Minder. A one-quarter cent sales tax for law enforcement would raise an estimated $52 million over the 10-year run of the tax. These funds would bolster the budgets of the sheriff’s department, prosecutor and potentially help establish a new division of the circuit court.
The one-quarter cent tax for parks, recreation and storm water would be an extension and reduction of the existing half-cent tax, which was first approved by voters in 2000. An estimated $46 million would still be raised over the course of the 10-year quarter-cent tax.
“A half-cent was needed for big expensive buildings,” Minder said, in reference to the construction of the two Platte County Community Centers. “We’re not building any more of those, so a half-cent is not needed.”
While the committee has arrived at a tax configuration, their work is not done. Presiding commissioner Ron Schieber attended the meeting and requested the committee write a formal recommendation of its findings.
“The commission will make the decision, but we want your feedback,” Schieber said.
Additionally, Schieber said that the county would like to have the help of committee members during any education campaign for a potential sales tax. Commissioners don’t yet know if they would place the ballot measures on the August primary or November general elections.
Committee members plan to meet again to discuss constraints in ballot language, which would prohibit future commissions from diverting funds raised through the taxes.