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| Sales tax a reasonable option |
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| Opinion | |||
| Written by Editorial Board | |||
| Wednesday, 24 March 2010 08:00 | |||
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The April election is less than two weeks away, and Louisburg voters are going to be facing an important decision. The possibility of a quarter-cent sales-tax increase within the city limits has been on the table since November, when the Louisburg City Council formally approved the question for the April 6 ballot. Since then, the state’s economic situation — and that of all municipalities in Kansas — has continued to decline. Most informed residents know the facts by now. With a 10-year lifespan, the quarter-cent increase would bring as much as $150,000 a year in additional revenue to the city. The bulk of local sales-tax funding is already earmarked for infrastructure improvements — improvements that represent a significant and ongoing cost for all cities and counties. It’s hard to ask residents for a tax increase under the best of circumstances, but the economic climate is leaving many cities with no remaining options. By taking this route, Louisburg has done its best to alleviate the burden of additional revenue as much as possible. Rather than raise the property-tax mill levy, a sales tax will ensure contributions from both visitors and passersby. The winter of 2009-2010 appears to finally be winding to a close, after Mother Nature once again dumped several inches of snow on northeastern Kansas during the weekend. However, the harshness of this winter only serves to further illustrate the need for additional revenue, without which city road crews may not be able to repair potholes — let alone make major improvements — in the months ahead. Before election day, take the time to examine the issue from all sides. Digging a bit deeper into wallets and pocketbooks might not be easy, but it’s not just the city coffers that stand to benefit from a sales-tax increase. It’s the Louisburg community as a whole.
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