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Point Counterpoint
Follow-up to opinions
published last week
Bob Robinson, CNO Editor
Mike Stegall, Darke County Commissioner
The Darke County CIC and Economic Development Office has requested that
the Conveyance Fee (that is charged when real property is sold) be
increased from $2 per thousand to $3 per thousand. CNO Editor Bob
Robinson wrote a column to which Darke County Commissioner Mike Stegall
responded.
Stegall and I agree that, as far as taxes go, it is about as close to
“neutral” as you can get regarding its impact on the general public. My
perspective is that it is the kind of slippery slope that led to
today’s economic and government spending problems. Stegall’s is that
this is a partnership with private enterprise to develop the Darke
County economy and increase its independence from state and federal
funds.
Several e-mails, back and forth, elicited more information and opinion.
They are provided here for your information.
I gave Mike the final word. You have two public meetings with which to
voice your opinion… June 15 and June 20, 1:30 p.m. at the Commissioners
Building. As Stegall and I have noted, this will be a decision made by
the three Commissioners, not at the polls. However, you may wish to
make your opinions known at one or both hearings.
In case you missed them, here are the links to the two opinions
published last week:
That’s My Opinion, A Tax is a Tax is a Tax
Response to Robinson’s Opinion, by Darke County
Commissioner Mike Stegall
Robinson on Stegall’s response:
Mike, there is only one tax I would support if I could and I would
willingly pay (if I lived in the District) - that’s the building levy
for Greenville schools.
Regarding the fire levy you mentioned, I fully acknowledge there are
some things that the people need to pay for, but I also fully realize
that the tactics used by those in government wishing for more dollars
can be extremely creative and lean heavily toward extracting that money
from the taxpayer. This knowledge - and other factors - led to the rout
in November. Taxpayers are tired of being beat up.
Conveyance fee. It would be hypocritical of me to support the tax (fee)
after campaigning on NO new taxes. You weren’t quite so adamant, which
is fine. The people put you in office and I know you will do exactly
what you promised while campaigning. I can do no less.
I’m more against the idea of government doing what it always does (the
same ol’ same ol’ that got us into the mess we’re in) than I am
worrying about a fee that is almost as neutral as a tax or fee can
possibly be. Kasich may not have all the answers and we’re going to
suffer in the short term, but he’s doing exactly what he promised. No
new taxes. Period.
Economic Development is essential. However, after the decades of
government browbeating and hammering a “stupid flock of sheep” the
voters want a more active role in how they are led... especially at the
local level. Show the voters the courtesy of putting it on a ballot for
them to decide and I might change my mind (no guarantees, but I would
definitely reconsider). Regardless, the Commissioners will get
accolades (at least from me) for asking the people who will be paying
the tab what they think about it.
Stegall:
Bob, thanks for the quick reply. You are correct, Governor Kasich
is doing it without raising taxes. He is doing it partly by
taking tax money from the counties (50% over the next 2 years!) I
have no problem with what he is doing, but we are trying to do more
locally, as we should, with what we had, not with what we have
now. We will survive this, but in order to advance and to become
more independent where we do not need Columbus as much, we have to fund
things locally. A $100 dollar increase on a $100,000 dollar
purchase is not a deal breaker. By the way, do not forget,
the C. I. C. and the partnering for progress is a collaboration between
government and the public sector. Government does not run the C.
I. C., we are merely a contributing partner. People may not trust
government, but they should trust their local business leaders who
asked for this increase, not for themselves, but for the betterment of
the county. We made a commitment to the C. I. C. for
$150,000 a year. In the last 3 years, because of real estate
sales (nationwide also) that total has decreased to where we might give
the C. I. C. only $90,000 this year. That is a tremendous hit. More
revenue to the Economic Development fund will help them help all of us
through jobs and business expansion. All we have to ask ourselves
is this: Is this tax going to be a good return on our
investment? I will let you decide for yourself.
Robinson:
Point made. CNO readers deserve to know the perspective of all
involved... and hopefully get involved in the process as well. Keep
communicating... I think you are doing the right thing in keeping the
voters AWARE of what you are doing. I also believe that posting the
meeting minutes every Monday is doing this as well... so thanks to
Robin and the rest of you for making them available.
Another question if you have the time. What other options have been
explored to participate in the CIC funding (or breaks)? County taxes?
Partnership with local banks to aid in the funding? I’m woefully
ignorant in what elected officials are legally allowed to do (with or
without the help of local businesses) to provide incentives without
actually getting into the loan business.
Stegall:
Bob, the C. I. C. is funded through contributions from business and
private individuals, and through our participation in Government. That
is why we are always asking for new members, to increase the visibility
of what we are doing, and to show everyone that the whole county is on
board with what we are doing. The C. I. C. has banks that are on board
as well. This is a relative new concept, having business and
government collaborate. I love it because in this case,
Government is only a partner, not the ruling body, so I believe it will
be done better and more efficiently.
Robinson:
Works for me. I believe we'll be able to present a good discussion for
CNO readers... thanks for participating. One final question: Letting
the voters participate at the polls?
Stegall:
If this were a TRUE democracy, we would have to vote on
everything. I think the reason we are a representative republic
is because our forefathers knew that in a democracy, there is too much
indecision, delay, bickering, and derision among the people. We
are elected to make some decisions that could be unpopular. Case in
point: in a democracy, would anybody ever vote for more taxes? Probably
not. We are expected to make not only the tough choices, but also the
right ones. By looking at every angle to a problem, we must make
the choice. Most times it is a choice that most people will not
make because it is too tough. I will not make any decision based
on how “tough” the choice is, but rather is it the right choice. I am
willing to let the people judge my decisions. Heck Bob, most
people don’t go to the polls now to vote, they leave most decisions to
us anyway. (That is partly why we are in the mess we are in now, people
don’t pay attention!) People would be made the bad guys if they
had to vote on everything, and then who would they complain about!? I
think we should make this decision based on its merit, not whether it
is popular.
Mike
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