The Rolla City Council recently approved a resolution in support of Proposition A – the proposed ½ Cent Park Sales Tax.
The resolution states that in December 2010 a citizen survey was conducted demonstrating 70 percent of those surveyed support extending the half-cent parks sales tax in order to fund park system improvements, provide a seniors’ services facility and to improve public safety.
In light of considerable public feedback on the needs and desires of a quality parks and recreation system for the citizens of Rolla, the city council also approved an ordinance calling for the April 5 park sales tax election.
For more information regarding the results of the 2010 Direction Finder Citizen Attitude Survey, click here, and to review the Parks Sales Tax Fact Sheet, click here. Specific questions and results on both the city’s parks system and the proposed parks sales tax are included in the survey. Hard copies of both the parks sales tax fact sheet and Direction Finder Citizen Attitude survey are available at Rolla City Hall, 901 N. Elm Street.
It's difficult for anyone to believe that the city council tells it's ctizrns that the Prop. "A" tax will NOT be a tax increase! Are the council members and the mayor and city administrator insane? Extending the current tax of 1/2 percent for 8 more years and then setting it at 3/8 percent for ever doesn't constitute a tax INCREASE!?!?! This is a MAJOR tax increase for anyone to recognize. Even so, I can still accept it if it weren't for the fact that the Center will benefit from the money's collected. A self-supporting business like the Center cannot and should not receive tax payer money especially if it directly competes with private buisnesses here locally. Also, there are numerous empty buildings here in Rolla that could easily be renovated much more cheaply than building a new facility for the proposed Senior Center.
ReplyDelete"The resolution states that in December 2010 a citizen survey was conducted demonstrating 70 percent of those surveyed support extending the half-cent parks sales tax in order to fund park system improvements, provide a seniors’ services facility and to improve public safety"
ReplyDeleteThis was the citizen survey that went out to 400 citizens. I do not believe that a survey of 400 adequately portrays the correct demographic for Rolla, a city of over 18,000.
95% of the blogging, comments, and posts I read are against proposition A. There have been very few for it. Even on the web pages that are for the proposition, most of the comments on those sites are also against Prop. A.
The main point that these pages and blogs do NOT state: If the proposition does not pass on April 5th, the tax will go into sunset. Thus LOWERING OUR SALES TAX!
Do not forget to vote "No" on Proposition A on April 5th.
The most recent Direction Finder citizen attitude telephone survey conducted by ETC Institute, one of the nation’s leading community-based market research firms based in Olathe, Kansas, contacted 1,200 residents, which provided a statistically valid random-sample survey of 400 responses.
ReplyDeleteLowering the tax means NO increase public safety, NO safe playground equipement in our parks and seniors you are not welcomed in this town. This is not a INCREASE when the tax stays the same some weird math going on here.So go ahead an vote no vote no to seniors vote no to public safety let teh junkies run the town vote no for kids safety. I for one will be voting YES for prop. A
ReplyDeleteThe primary purpose of the 1/2 cent park sales tax is to fund the operations of the parks and recreation department, which has been unfunded ($450,000) for the past several years. A small portion of the funds will be utilized to ensure the sustainability of The Centre. The parks sales tax will free dollars to be spent on municipal services such as public safety (police & fire) and on economic development. There are many aspects to the proposed 1/2 cent Park Sales tax that will enhance and improve the quality of life for all Rolla residents. ADA playground equipment compliance, desperately needed restrooms at our parks for visitors and athletes, and upgrades to parks maintenance and equipment such as bleachers, etc.
ReplyDeleteIf the 1/2 cent proposed Park Sales Tax passes on April 5 a portion of the funds generated will be used to maintain the City's 34 parks, 300+ acres and 13 miles of pedestrian/bike paths in Rolla, as well as provide necessary upgrades to the park system such as restrooms, picnic shelters, walking paths and safety surfaces for playgrounds. The Parks and Recreation budget has remained the same over the past 5 years while the parks department has added 7 miles of trails and 30 acres of park land.
ReplyDelete"The Parks and Recreation budget has remained the same over the past 5 years while the parks department has added 7 miles of trails and 30 acres of park land."
ReplyDeleteSo let me get this straight. Even though the Parks and Rec. Dept.'s budget has not changed in several years they have done projects to INCREASE (not just maintain) there expenses? That doesn't seem to fiscally responsible to add to your bills when you don't have any extra money coming in to cover the extra expenses. Now somebody is proposing I pay for the shortfall? I think not. Until the city budget and the Parks and Rec Dept and The Center is properly managed (fiscally), there shouldn't be any new or entension of taxes.
Kory under your scenrio the police department who's cost have gone up should NOT be allowed those increses because it it NOT fiscally responsible. And sense you seem a expert on City finanices what do you cut?
ReplyDeleteAnonymous-
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, you can't compare RPD to PRD. If you look at the city budget, it becomes very obvious where the priorities are when it comes to funding and the justifications for the funding increase for RPD.
Secondly, I am not an expert on city finances. one look at the city budget, though, will show you that the city has to get better at managing there funds all-the-way-around. The City's solution is to keep the current taxes going, while i think they should get better at managing their funds.
Lastly, the City has not come through with what they said they would accomplish since this tax started 13 years ago. Why let it continue.
You asked me what would I cut? How about cutiing this tax by letting it go into sunset. How?
Vote "NO" on proposition A on April 5th!