Council to set up sales tax ballot committee

There was virtually no discussion as the McCook City Council approved two items Monday night that concerned the special election this fall to renew the city sales tax.

The council still hasn't officially approved an election and city staff is still investigating whether a resolution is needed or not, said City Manager Kurt Fritsch.

Nonetheless, the council approved unanimously to create a sales tax ballot committee and to appoint members to the committee at the July 16 budget hearing.

Fritsch noted that the council had previously indicated that it wanted "as much public involvement as possible" concerning the sales tax and this would be a means to do so.

The ballot committee will be appointed from citizens attending the budget workshop July 16. The workshops, scheduled from July 16-18, are open to the public and Councilman Lonnie Anderson encourage citizens to attend.

Committee members will develop ballot language and to establish specific projects that will use sales tax revenue.

The current sales tax, that sunsets in 2008 unless renewed by city voters, is one cent. One half of its proceeds goes toward property tax relief with the other half toward city improvement projects. Fritsch has said at recent town hall meetings that the elimination of the sunset clause will allow the city to bond for major city projects. Other talk generated at the meetings included increasing the tax to 1.5 cents, with a portion going toward the McCook Economic Development Corp.

Two of the five members on the council were absent , with Mayor Dennis Berry on vacation and Councilman Marty absent due to his father recently passing away