Wheel tax passes on first reading

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MIKE WEST
Courier Editor

County Commissioners passed on first reading a resolution to hike the Cannon County wheel tax by $20 during Thursday's (Aug. 6) meeting.
The resolution, sponsored by the Commission's Budget Committee, passed 7 to 3, a two-thirds majority.

Voting "yes" were Commissioners Mark Barker, Todd Hollandsworth, Karen Ashford, Jamie Holloway, Glenn Steakley, Richie Hunter and Adam Melton. Voting "no" were Commissioners Russell Reed, Jim Bush and Brent Bush

The resolution, which would increase the county wheel tax from $50 to $70, requires a second two-thirds majority vote by the Commission before it can be enacted. The Commission is expected to vote again on the issue during its August meeting.

If the wheel tax hike passes the Commission twice with a two-thirds majority, the general public will have 30 days to call for a public referendum on the issue. A petition would require 210 signatures by registered Cannon County voters.

"That $20 would be earmarked for the county general (budget) and would generate $260,000 which would be equal to a 13 cent hike on the property tax rate," explained County Executive Mike Gannon.

"We're just trying to come up with different ways of funding the county budget," said Commissioner Mark Barker, who is chairman of the county's Budget Committee.

Increasing the wheel tax seems more fair than another substantial property tax increase, said Barker, and would tax Cannon County residents who don't own property.

Three residents took the opportunity to voice opposition to any kind of tax increase.

"I don't understand the logic," said taxpayer Ronnie Mahaffey adding that Cannon County's budget was $176,000 higher than the previous year. "Where are your cuts?"

Mahaffey urged Commissioners to look at the county's bottom line and cut from there. "We need a combination of cuts and increases."
Another citizen asked, "What will be lost if there are no increases" in spending?

Substantial cuts in fuel prices should be considered along with no salary increases for elected officials, he suggested.

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Members Opinions:
August 12, 2015 at 9:14am
The economy has not grown in Cannon county so where are county residents to find the extra money. Looks as if the leaders are trying to take a page out of the states like Georgia to add additional taxes for motor vehicles.
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August 12, 2015 at 11:54am
The problem is we are getting ZERO additional services from this tax.

This tax has always been designed to pay for education and not to increase the General Fund.

Why would we possibly want to raise our taxes and get nothing for it and disregard areas that could be better managed?

Why don't we first hold the Commissioners accountable for what can be done to help our General Fund before we decide that we need to raise taxes?
August 12, 2015 at 4:59pm
Yes I think before they use money to feed the fund we the tax payers should have to ok any money spent after all it is our tax money not there to waist
August 12, 2015 at 6:59pm
There is a add in courier that if anyone knows of money being miss use to report it to the Audit committee. Any money collected on wheel tax goes toward eduction and not general fund. I think that is misused money
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August 13, 2015 at 7:01am
I agree juanita. One Commissioner stated that he would like to see a surplus of $600,000 in our General Fund.

It is my belief (and should be that of everyone who has any common sense) if you have a $600,000 surplus then you have way over taxed your citizens!

I had much rather see the dump closed an extra day a week than have my wheel tax or sales tax increased just so they can pad the General Fund that is a black hole that can never be filled!
August 13, 2015 at 7:40am
$600,000 what happened to the money that was there. They say they did not get a raise last year. Why would they get a raise what have any of them done to get a raise. Yes close them down two days a week and we will have extra money there pay.
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August 13, 2015 at 9:39am
And actually the article above is incorrect. It takes 277 signatures to get the Wheel Tax issue on the ballot.

The Sales Tax increase is required by law to be on a refferendum if it is requested.
August 18, 2015 at 6:00am
unless I am mistaken...every single year (and twice this year) a statement has been made that they are NOT going to raise taxes and then later try to do it. I knew when they said recently that they would not that they were. I agree that accountability is the answer. I also agree that we are getting nothing for this increase. It is always said that " I get this or that because I pay taxes"...well, I think it needs to be said just what we are getting instead of a bigger surplus. My street has no sidewalks and there are various other things that could be done as well.
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