Sales tax committee begins renewal activities

McCOOK, Neb. -- The Sales Tax Ballot Language Committee met for the first time Thursday evening to begin the process of renewing the city's local option sales tax.

City Manager Nate Schneider presented committee members with several areas to focus on, including whether or not to sunset the sales tax, and if so, for how many years. Committee members also discussed whether ballot language should reflect specific areas where the revenue will be spent; leaving expenditures vague in the ballot language in order to provide additional flexibility to the city; formation of a sales tax committee to review and strategize sales tax expenditures on a regular basis; and the role the revenue plays in funding the McCook Economic Development Corporation and city operations.

Thursday's meeting served as more of an initial conversation with committee members and sharing of ideas, no formal decisions were made.

Committee members plan to meet on a weekly basis over the next four weeks and have ballot language ready for submission to the Red Willow County Clerk by Sept. 1, 2014.

The committee meetings are open to the public and the next meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 31, at the McCook Municipal Center.

Both the 1 percent local-option sales tax and additional half-percent sales tax expire in 2018 and the McCook City Council has expressed a desire to get an early start and present a renewal option to voters this November. If a ballot issue is voted down the city is required to wait 23 months before bringing it back to a vote of the people, according to Schneider.