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Today's Poll!Former councilman pushes fire department sales tax proposal
Asst. Chief Lonnie Brandt sports a T-shirt with the “Vote Yes on Prop 2” as citizens committee member Dr. Bryan Pope talks about the plans to inform the community of the proposed tax increase involved in Proposition 2. Photo by Julie Smith.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
A former city councilman returned to City Hall on Monday to endorse the dedicated one-fourth-cent sales tax being proposed by the Jefferson City Fire Department.
At the City Council meeting, former 1st Ward Councilman Mike Harvey made a presentation on the proposal as the co-chair of Citizens for a Safer Community, which officially kicked off their campaign Monday.
The Fire Department proposal would replace a 9.61-cent property tax with a one-fourth-cent sales tax that would sunset in 15 years. The tax, if approved on the Aug. 7 ballot, is projected to raise more than $41 million and pay for expenses in seven categories, including EMS training, equipment upgrades, station replacements and added staffing costs.
Harvey said when he first came on the City Council in April 2004, one of the first invitations he received was to tour the various fire stations throughout the city.
“It was evident then, as it is evident now, that there’s some changes that need to be made,” Harvey said. “You just can’t keep re-band-aiding a problem, it’s time to move forward.”
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Comments
rodinman 10 months, 3 weeks ago
Mr Harvey, why didn't you do something when you were on the council?
dokeus6 10 months, 3 weeks ago
Why can't the city do with what they have? Why do they keep asking the citizens of this city for money? Can't they budget and run the city with the money that they have now?
If they can't budget correctly and run the city with what they have, they need to be replaced.
I know if i turned in suspect work to my employer my employment would be terminated. Why do we as citizens keep putting inept people in positions of influence?
Sequoia 10 months, 3 weeks ago
Costs are going up everywhere. You could always make the argument "make do with what you have," but at some point, just trying to "make do" would be irresponsible and "inept." I don't think it is inept to make sure the government has the money it needs to provide the services people want.
It may, however, be inept to constantly forego small tax increases, waiting until you're overwhelmed by higher costs, then trying to scramble and get things in order with big tax hikes all at once. It may be inept to operate an EMS fleet without the latest equipment and training.
Just saying no, we'll stay where we are, we don't need to adapt to change just because, well, everyone hates taxes... that might be inept.
rodinman 10 months, 3 weeks ago
I believe the county has a tax and under the guide of the county commission should provide adequate EMS operations. The city does not need to duplicate this service, just ensure the county is providing the necessary and required services.
hudson 10 months, 3 weeks ago
tomsawyer 10 months, 2 weeks ago
Adequate EMS operations are just that... adequate. Adequate is okay until your mother, wife, husband, child or other loved one has some kind of serious medical emergency. Then you want superior EMS operations (at a paramedic level) which requires lots of training which requires lots of money that this 1/4 cent sales tax would provide.
Rodinman, how can the city ensure what the county does is okay? They're two seperate entities. City can't tell county what to do.
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