Pursuant 67.990 Motion to approve the senior tax issue for the August 3rd election and to authorize the Presiding Commissioner to sign ballot certification language to be prepared by counsel that puts the following question on the Taney County ballot for August 3rd, 2010:
BALLOT LANGUAGE
Shall Taney County levy a tax of 5 cent per each one hundred dollars assessed valuation for the purpose of providing services to persons sixty years of age or older.
Taney County Commissioner Chuck Pennel is under investigation by the Taney County Prosecutor's office according to a report by KSPR.
The issue at hand involves a $12,315.25 check to an engineering firm in Arkansas that Western Taney County Commissioner wanted to review before issuing to ensure the business wasn't being overpaid.
According to KSPR, Pennel wrote a check to the county for $12,315.25 before finding penance might come at a greater cost.
Branson Mayor Raeanne Presley' administration purchased land from Chuck Pennel in a matter that has generated some controversy in the community. Both Pennel and Presley have criticized the City of Branson's Landing waterfront development; however, it appears being adjacent to the project was worth a cool million as a rundown building was purchased by the city to Pennel's family - a sound investment for Pennel personally.
Presiding Taney County Commissioner Chuck Pennel is fighting as incumbent for the seat proving to be a tight three-way fight. Two former Taney County Commissioners Ron Herschend and Ron Houseman are vying for the position.
Houseman recently resigned from Taney County's Economic Development Department whose focus was centered on maximizing return of Obama funds.
Exacerbating the situation, Missouri's 7th District Congressional hopeful Bob Schanz has pushed for an audit of the county with protest from the Taney County Commission.
Shanz's role as a Taney County watchdog proved fruitful as Missouri's Auditor Susan Montee confirmed mismanagement of funds. The documents Schanz presented to the Taney County Commission was reported by over public airwaves two years after Branson, Missouri begged Shanz's question: monkey business?
As political races heat up in Missouri the Obama stimulus plan is coming under scrutiny.
The Taneycobama bridge currently being contructed highlights the controversy in congressman Roy Blunt's district.
Taney County and municipal governments agreed to finance the bridge prior to the economic recovery act. The shovel ready projects federal funding negated the fiscal commitment Branson, Hollister and the Taney County Commission agreed to.
On one hand, Roy Blunt along with every other Republican member of congress voted against the bill. On the other hand, when free money was being handed out by the federal government; Blunt, Bond and every other member of the congress fought to get a piece of the action.
Branson's fiscally liberal city council found new ways to create debt even with the major subsidy. Three years of record increases in tax revenue while the rest of the country experienced major declines didn't steer Branson's leadership in a financially conservative direction.
In essence, this is the problem nationwide. The increase in federal subsidies didn't necessarily result in responsible government. Instead, it allowed bloated government bureaucrats to delay trimming the "fiscal fat".
Did it create jobs? Thirteen employees from the Taney County Road and Bridge Department were fired while 13 new jobs were created for the company in Iowa who won the bid for the project.
Republican Congressman have to defend their spending allotment while criticizing the plan as a whole.
Exceeding the sales tax levy allocated for Taney County's Road and Bridge department Western Taney County Commissioner Jim Strafuss held budget approval hostage until a solution was found to the deficit spending trend. Thirteen jobs were cut from the department.
Official Word from Taney County came today:
Taney County, Missouri, January 08, 2010: Budget concerns and a desire for more efficient operations led to the elimination of 13 positions at Taney County Road and Bridge today.
The positions eliminated were selected based upon a determination of what was in the best interests of the Taney County taxpayers and the efficient operation of Taney County Road and Bridge.
1. What are some of the challenges you've faced early in office? change in general has been the hardest. Lack of reputation, people are very scepticle. There is tramidus potential, and untapped resources. Jim was approached in 06 to run for the office, and he said it wasnt ready. Being in the front run was not something he was interested in.
2. What was the issue with tax assesments and how were they resolved ? How many people challenged there assessments through the Board of Equalization from the board- the board felt that the increase was too much burden for the citizens to handle in one year. The werent disputing the accuacy. the ability to handle the increase when you taxes go up 45% in one year most cant handle it, they wanted to phase it in. Jim-felt way too much emotion in the meeting, when the board is in place to help oversee and fix things, once the vote is done you move on, the sesson is over, it is resolved, they have their orders. Jim voted against the whole thing because they removed the increase last minute.
3. How has the controversy over tax assessments affected your relationship with your fellow commissioners? For Jim personally, it hasnt, "I departmentalize and move on, BOE is a small part of my job, I keep emotion out of my job". There is definately conflict in the office, there is times of tention. I go in do my job and go home. I never stood around the water cooler and talked. Alot of backbiting. Im there because I want to make a change, if people dont like me they wont vote for me again. You have to ask why are they there. There is still and east county and west county way of thinking. I dont fault their possition, if they feel passionate about it, my job if im passionate about something I try to get a majority vote Its about getting the job done.
4. What issues do you plan to tackle over the next few months?
starting the budget process for next year. I think theres alot of waste, better efficenties. Focus on grants and stimulus money, big milestones coming up on that. east west coridore, from the tiger grant money. vote tomorrow to file an app for the grant, if they are successful they will get about 75% for the east and west coridor They are spending 50,000 to apply, 25mil, project which if they get it they will get up to 75% of that project.
5. You've been in office for about 9 months now, what do you feel is your greatest accomplishment so far? stop the steeling, saving money, restructuring the county, some people have moved on since hes been in office, but it has allowed a more professional invirnment promoting from within, just changing the way things are done. becoming more fisclally responsable, and the level respect from outside community is gaining. Communication is better.
6. What do you feel is the greatest struggle you have faced? Old traditional thinking and reasoning.
7. I understand you took some heavy fire from another commissioner a couple of weeks ago, what was that about? Has it been resolved?
alot of people are saying there is a conflict of intrest in the two brothers, that it is an elthics issue,. the only place that ive heard over and over again, is it ethical for one commissoner to vote on a brothers project?????
Taney County Commissioners have an election coming in just 5 days. The Republican primaries are in just 5 days and without a democratic challenger it's a winner take all election. Western Taney County Commissioner Candidates
Roy Combs and Danny Strahan paired off last night for the Taney County Federated Republican Women at the Taneyville Center. Incumbent Strahan claims to have knocked on 4,800 doors to win his first bid. Combs launched his career into retail politicking with gifts of flashlight-screwdriver-keychains. Common sense reveals that theCounty Governmentstructure is an ineffective and dangerous model of governance. Three men will end up controlling somewhere in the neighborhood of a $90 million dollar budget. The Eastern Taney County Commissioner will fight to bring as much of the money away from the source - (Branson) and filter it to Eastern Taney County interests. As a result (both are probably perfectly fine fellas) whoever wins will be crowned Eastern Taney County Pharaoh and righteously scorned by the website that represents - Branson Missouri. Both candidates were given three minutes to stump in front of Taney County Federated Republican Women guests.
Branson Alderman Ward 2 Total Votes 283 Jack Purvis 110 38.87% Cris Bohinc 172
Branson Alderman Ward III Total Votes 435 Rick Davis 309 Marc L. Williams 125 Branson School District No. 4 Patty Loyd 764 (16.9% Teresa Givens 707 (15.64%) Ryan Pock 883 (19.53) Roger Frieze 635 (14.05%) Becky L. Penrod 344 (7.61) Shane N. Smith 307 (6.79) Karen Best 333 (7.37) Jamille K. Twedt 147 (3.25%) Kim Connell 399 (8.83%) Taneyville Trustee Total Votes 38 Mike Niner 13 Greg Robertson 18 Kirbyville Trustee Total Votes45 Kenneth Dixon 9 Bobby Fausett 13 Darrel Cornelium 15 Write in 8
Merriam Woods Trutee John Brushwood 36 Bill Briggs 19 Susan M McGuire 23 Ingrid Reagan 32 Greg Buresh 25 Forsyth Mayor David L. Oliphant 326 David Altis 108 Forsyth Ward I Missi Smith Hesketh 190 Write-in Votes 3
Forsyth Ward II Cheryl Altis 108 Write-in Votes 12 Bull Creek Trustees Carol Smith 4 Write - in Votes 3 Rockaway Beach Ward I Stuart Driewer 27 Ellen Brown 33
Rockaway Beach Ward II Carl Katschman 35 Karen Huff 5 Jerry Simms 33 Write-in Votes 1 Hollister Mayor David Tate 132 4 Hollister Ward I Howell Keeter 48 Write-in 2 Hollister Ward II Write-in Votes 33 Spokane R-VII Dwayne Bradford 1 Elliott Liabraaten 0 Clayton Cooper 1 James Harp 1
Hollister R5 Prop Yes 244 No 74
Taney County Ambulance John Winkert 70 Dale Sanders 209
Taneyville R2 Mike Beeler 113 Rya Culler 102 Stan Clark 59 James (JIM) Stuart 95 Forsyth R3 Kevin W. Hampton - 320 Scott Starrett - 412 Bill Stuart - 366 Keith Barker -223 Deidre McCormick 408 Write-in 6
Taney County Ambulance John Winkert 70 Dale Sanders 209 Write in 2
Taney County Commissioner Chuck Pennel responded to nepotism charges in a prepared statement yesterday at the Taney County Commissioners Meeting.
The charges were prepared brought to the public forum through efforts by Bob Shanz and Ron Houseman. They accused Pennel of allowing his wife to use a county vehicle.
The case is being investigated by the Missouri Attorney General's office. Pennel stated he welcomed and hoped the investigation is thorough.
Pennel denies the allegations. (See Branson Agent for Details)
The photos above are of Taney County Sherriff Jimi Russell. The woman sitting next to Russell is Branson Daily News correspondent Donna Cleavenger. Russell plans on running for re-election in 2008.
Dead ducks - what many area poor will be without help this winter. The state predicts heating bills could triple this winter. The burden of taxation is taking a toll on Branson businesses as well (see Branson Edge for 12 Month Rolling Fund Totals. Taney County Assessor James Strahan predicts Taney County businesses and residents will face a massive increase when they get their property tax bills this year.
On November 5, 2007, six days from now, Taney County residents will have to ask themselves just how much more they're willing to take.
Hollister has a proposed 5% tourism tax on the ballot. Documentations on ballot language and distribution of funds has been requested. We have received a fax from the Hollister Chamber of Commerce in support of the tax. As one of five individual members on the Hollister Chamber roster, I'd hoped to hear different news other than....raise taxes please. Hollister Alderman David Willard figures Hollister can't lose and voted to give voters the oppourtunity to decide if they want it or not. Ozark Mountain Newspaper correspndent Gary Groman reports %75 of the tax generated will help build infrastructure and %25 will be used for marketing Hollister as a tourism destination. Willard figures if residents vote against it, low taxation could generate tourism allowing Hollister to execute a higher value proposition. If the tax fails Hollister will be the only tourism area in the region without a surplus tourist tax.
The Taney County Times took a break from the award winning "snake oil reporting" last week (we bought five copies to encourage ethics). Documents regarding funding and the lobbying effort to pass the tax seem to have eluded the public. No filings with the Missouri Ethics Commission have been sent to the best of our knowledge and their high-tech money tracking tools. Proposition A - the so called economic development tax would create a 90 million dollar bag of money for fun and games - fueling the personal pockets of a handful of Taney County residents. ----------- Groman had the audacity to ask me if I thought corruption was involved with the creation of the tax - to which I answer patently, thoroughly, by definition. For Background see Branson Mediagate www.dictionary defines corruption as follows:
1. lack of integrity or honesty (especially susceptibility to bribery); use of a position of trust for dishonest gain
We caught them because they weren't very good at it. A series of reports from the Taney County Times and Branson Daily News gave a black eye to the Branson media visible to anyone paying attention. This isn't the media of Linda Morgan's day. Reading the "a tax almost as good as chocolate" tipped us off something was very wrong. No one loves taxes that much, unless they're receiving gains on the backs of citizens - which was exactly what Vonda Sheets and Donna Clevenger did when they pretended to be reporters while representing a multi-million dollar power grab as Board Members of the White River Valley Historical Society. Though we can't seem to find the individuals funding the campaign to talk citizens out of their hard earned cash we did find both reporters on the White River Valley Historical Society's list of officers. They actually fought behind closed doors to raise taxes for themselves. Like we said, patently currupt - even worse - straight wicked. Groman wants us to ignore the corrupt and underhanded methods used to illicit public support for a tax levy created by and for special interests and ignoring Taney Counties most needy. He's sat on the fence while those creating the tax made him look foolish on the front page of the paper. Then again, the Ole Seagull hasn't found a tax lately he didn't like. The one time staunch conservative who hired Attorney Eric Farris to sue President Bill Clinton for sending troops to Bosnia hasn't found a tax he doesn't like lately. Yesterday we asked Seagull, "Have you broken your right wing?" Seems like lately he's been flying in circles tilted to the left .... Proposition A encourages irresponsibility. It says, "don't show us what you did with that extra two million dollars we gave you this year have another 90 million." And to the reporters who failed to disclose their masters. To the community I'd like to apologize for the actions of our local press; we're trying hard to fix corruption within and return to a culture of integrity to regain public trust.
Dear Danny Strahan - Pharaoh of Eastern Taney County,
It was good to see you at Hollister's historic unveiling of its entry into the tourism industry. I was of course disappointed by your lack of attendance at Branson's Convention Center Grand Opening celebration.
I am ashamed of the press and their evident corrupt dealings. If they weren't so susceptible to bribery I wouldn't have had to write a word. I'm angry that I've had to do it, but citizens have a right to know what their elected leadership is doing. If local news correspondents had a lick of integrity, my time addressing the topic could have been invested elsewhere.
Let's get back to the primary issue. You and two other men lead Taney County. My simplistic view of government is this - two departments exist - 1. Department of Fun and Games and 2. Department of Saving Lives.
Your proposed Proposition A tax does nothing for the Department of Saving Lives and dumps $90 million into the Department of Fun and Games. In my opinion, the White River Historical Society has evolved into a ridiculous organization. They've proved themselves poor keepers of history, poor stewards of fact and their actions are at times offensive.
While high numbers of Taney County residents live in poverty - you spend $50,000 to preserve a jail, Why? I watched the White River Valley Historical Society perform a terrorist reenactment in our town square. They spoke the oath to death by the Klu Klux Klan predecessors "The Baldknobbers". In my town square! Is this a wise use of tax payer dollars?
I'll be the first to say I don't think it is. The county you govern - your kingdom - is ranked by COMET (Combined Ozarks Multi-Jurisdictional Task force)as the most Meth-laden county in Southwest Missouri.
People are dying, but you build more prisons. Your people are dying. Our people are dying. I don't find your significant investment (wasn't gonna cost a dime right) to imprison more Taney County Citizens impressive. How many more will die while you invest in fun and games? When it comes to meth, law enforcement is a one-legged stool. Why is this ignored while plans to build a temple to a few peoples dead relatives becomes a priority?
It's great that you've found a way to levy a tax on the good citizens of Taney County while assuring the cities can't reduce their debt obligations. But if this tax was born out of good instead of hatred you'd have more support for it. As it stands, deception by the corrupt reporters who lobbied for an increase for their "Temple to the Dead" and false report published in the papers with the intent to deceive and con citizens into financing their ridiculous venture has been noted.
It's my understanding that Ron Houseman was paid to lobby for the tax increase. Do you guys really call yourselves Republicans? Where in the Republican platform does it encourage making up new ways of taxing people and figuring out how to spend it after seeing how big the pot is? Since the tax doesn't necessarily help anyone I don't think there is a solid liberal Democrat leg to stand on either. Not even a socialist would steal from the people to give to the most wealthy citizens.
I can't verify the findings (how much Houseman is paid) because the group lobbying for the funds never filed Missouri Ethics Commission reports.
I was threatened by a local cocaine cartel many years ago. Watching what these individuals were doing encouraged me to document and record the happenings of our region. I often wonder how the drug trade became so powerful and how these filthy men are allowed to poison our children to this day. I wonder how these cartels exist unfettered, while we seem to have 90 million dollars to spend on a 100 Acre Temple to the Dead.
I have a daughter here sir and a responsibility dictated by the most high to ensure the best world possible for her. I want her to be free.
When I see a spade on the political table - I call it. If you got a problem with that - I'll publish it. If you have a correction - I'll pay to facilitate the message.
Being Taney County is the Southwest Missouri seat for Meth production I can only assume it's because of one or more of the following 1. powerful people want it that way 2. Law enforcement is unable to handle the crisis either underfunded or undertrained 3. Corruption and nepotism is common in Taney County. 4. People/Leaders don't care 5. Incompetency.
Please, tell me different, I want my faith in our leadership restored.
Though I disagree with the priorities of the commission, I don't hate the individuals. I don't hate the players, I hate the game - a game where people die while temples to the dead are constructed on the backs of the dying.
This isn't how I want my children to live. Your actions affect her life. I ask you Pharaoh - set my people free.
Taney County Collector Sheila Wyatt is expected to address the Taney County Commissioners this morning regarding a lawsuit filed Friday. Wyatt contends the Taney County Commission isn't compliant with state law regarding payment for her position.
James Strahan payed to place an advertisement in the Taney County Times last week. The Branson Daily News wanted to charge him $1400. Strahan accuses the commissioners and Rep. Dennis Woods for sabotaging his plan to keep assessments lower. In the pay-to-play article, Strahan asserts his assesments are in compliance with the State Tax Commission's guidelines
The Taney County Commission has had to fund Strahan's office while Missouri's Tax Commission withholds funds claiming assessments are inaccurate. The ongoing dispute is slated for judicial review in Cole County next month.
Strahan's message - Taney County taxes property taxes will rise significantly and its Taney County Commissioners and Rep. Dennis Woods fault.
The Taney County Commissioners have yet to approve meeting minutes dating back to last year. Strahan suggests the commissioners want to destroy the records.
The man duplicates himself over and over until all the seats are filled.
The 90 Million Dollar so called "Economic Development Tax" on the Nov. 6th ballot - aka Proposition A will be controlled by the Taney County Commissioners. They will place four members on the board of their choosing. The other three members are "lame duck" seats from entities with no alignment of purpose guaranteeing no real oversight.
James Strahan is taking an advertisement out this week to address the increase in taxation Taney County residents will have to face as the State Tax Commission sends out notices.
Strahan said, "I'm not paying $750 to send a thank you card." Strahan has two versions which will consist of direct attacks on Taney County politicians including correspondence to the State Tax Board regarding assessments.
The magic number is 12 as in Taney County residents will experience a %12 valuation increase. Branson residents will have the most substantial increase due to the Branson School District levy increase approved by voters last election.
Even the corruption and false reports delivered by Branson Mediagate participants (two journalists who negotiated and lobbied for a sales tax increase on behalf of a private "historical organization" whose funds they control) looks like its in jeopardy.
The comic above was created by John Logan showing the State Tax Commission giving the shakedown to Taney County Residents. It would appear that Logan is acknowledging the sales tax increase is coming at the wrong time.
--------------- The good citizens of Taney County would be happy to help fund the "state owned" bridge; however, Proposition A is not about building a bridge. It's about a few "ethics free" individuals who hate the community so much - they're willing to steal from its poorest citizen to line their own pockets. I encourage the people who believe in the community to study the facts behind Proposition A and to stand up against corruption. The community and future for your children depend on it.
The battle of the Titans of Taney County ensued Saturday night near Bass Pro. While having a friendly discussion with Assessor James Strahan about how much your taxes are going to rise this year, Ron Herschend strolled out of the entrance of Bass Pro at the Branson Landing bearing a bag of bullets.
Taney County Commissioner Chuck Pennel and Herschend have been at odds with the Strahan brothers (James Strahan is the Taney County Assessor, his brother, James Strahan is one of the three wise men of Taney County Serving as Eastern Taney County Commissioner.
Back to the story - James Strahan was preaching the gospel of the evil state taking 3% from the citizens of Taney County stating a rise in assessments would be devastation. His battle with the state whom he says wants him to raise assessments by 15%, is a near certain loss for Taney County.
He could've won in Taney County He could've won in Poplar Bluff
Just trivia since the case will be heard in front of a Cole County judge.
The one thing Strahan and Herschend agree on is that the county needs a $90 million dollar jackpot from Branson's prosperity via a 500 mil sales tax levy.
----------------------------- SOLUTION Since the Taney County Commission has such an attraction towards raising taxes and since they say they want to create economic development - I've come up with a solution so we can all start getting along.
1. Pull White River Historical Society Funding'" 2. No Mega Park Complexes until we can get a good handle on law enforcement and lower our rating as the "Meth"iest county in Southwest Missouri.
Let's create real economic development.
Let's take your ridiculous sales tax and rebate all property taxes in Taney County. You'd actually create another boom in the economy instead of pushing it as far as you can to see whether or not you can make it collapse. $85 million oughta do it! We can use the other $5 million to build another bridge.
(Cartoon by John Logan) Ozark Mountain Newspaper's Eastern Taney County Correspondent Vonda Sheets wrote in interesting editorial published in the Branson Daily Independent today regarding the Taney County Tax Assessor's "debacle with the Missouri State Tax Commission." Here's a little background and information from an interview we conducted with Western Taney County Commissioner Ron Herschend.
On Monday, at the Taney County Courthouse, Taney County Assessor James Strahan will scold Taney County Commissioners Ron Herschend and Chuck Pennel who aren't interested in bankrolling the Assessor's office while litigation ensues.
The State Tax Commission contends James "I'm not a puppet of the state" Strahan is undervaluing property on State Records. Strahan believes he's within the legal guidelines and the failure of the state to cont
At $30,000 a month Western Taney County Commissioner Ron Herschend believes funding the assessor's fight is irresponsible to taxpayers. The Taney County Commission filed a lawsuit on the assessor's office behalf in Taney County this summer. The 38th Circuit Judge, the honorable Mark Orr, changed venues to Cole County and Herschend doesn't believe enough effort has been made to resolve the matter. Herschend says only 17 hours were billed by legal counsel hired to resolve the matter.
In January, Strahan expressed his belief that Western Taney County property values were overinflated by West Coast investors.
In Missouri, real estate transactions aren't reported when the tiles are exchanged. Many list the sale price as $1 and other valuable consideration. As a result property tax assessments aren't based off real estate transaction figures. Many believe this is a good thing fearing corporations buying and selling real estate through partner companies could boost property tax to an unjustifiable level if assessments were based of stated property purchase amounts .
It's generally perceived that assesments in Taney County are low. While preparing their case the State Tax Commission hired an area appraiser to supply figures.
Levies were rolled back by the Branson School Board and the City of Branson this year. Hollister residents experienced a slight increase.
County sales tax coffers were increased by $2 million dollars this year though that hasn't discouraged the Taney County Commission from attempting to grab another $90 million for their operating budget through a new taxed being proposed which will go to voters as proposition A.
Layoffs will occur as they did in December 2006 if the commissioners vote to discontinue funding the state's portion of the assessor's office.
James Strahan's brother Eastern Taney County Commissoner Danny Strahan is the only member of the commission in support of continued funding - the other two are unlikely to sway from their posture after pleas are heard Monday morning.
--- Opinion: The special interest elements to the tax being proposed make Proposition A unreasonable.
Strahan's battling with a double-edged sword. It seems that our bureaucrats are going to tax us one way or another. If property values are assessed at half the actual value - which many would assess (excuse the pun) - it would seem advantageous to raise their book value and lower tax rates - a strong selling point to real estate investors.
$90 million in revenue from a new tax has municipal leaders, non-profit groups and geopolitical entities within Taney County moving to get a slice.
The tax proposal, doomed to failure, regardless of the best efforts of two local journalists (three newspaper employees) who are directly paid by the special interests pushing the tax - gained legs.
Two major projects, an east west freeway corridor and a new bridge were tacked on to the proposed levy - doubling the taxation amount and providing a marketing ploy voters might be likely to bite on.
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Sharing a little bit of the plunder with the west side of Taney County should help a few local politicians buy-in. Some of the money is going to fund vital projects, but the millions that aren't provide a problem - they could come at an expense to vital infrastructure we'll need in the future - those that could save lives. Expect a big announcement from the Taney County Commission Monday.
(James Strahan back. Ferris Brown front) The battle was moved to Cole County last week - It's Taney County Assessor James Strahan vs. the state of Missouri. The move is important because it puts the war to the state's tax collection arm on home turf. Strahan is challenging the state who believes Taney County property taxes are being assessed too low. His message can be summed up by his January 2008 statement, "I'm not a puppet of the state." The state disagrees showing muscle by proving he's "half owned" by cutting off their portion of his office's funds. The commissioners, Taney County Presiding Commissioner Chuck Pennel, Taney County Western District Commissioner Ron Herschend and James Strahan's brother Danny Strahan have voted to front costs while James Strahan works everything out with the state. To date, Pennel has been the most resistant. Strahan's fight is a noble one. From his perspective, real estate values, are inflated by West Coast Buyers. Some real estate brokers challenge the assessment review process. When an assesment is challenged, the board of equalization can trump Stahan's review. State legislation passed during this years session - sponsored by Representative Dennis Wood - puts two real estate professionals on the Board of Equalization.The bill also takes the assessor off the board. Representative Maynard Wallace voted against the bill. One of four things will happen in Cole county: 1. The state will roll over give up their claim to power 2. Strahan will make a compromise between how much the state wants to raise taxes in the county. 3. The state will win the suit 4. Taney County will win the suit
Neither of the last two options will likely end the fight and (at least from the state's side) will result in an extended appeals process. The problem is that Taney County's leadership concedes more money is needed to provide services for residents. Currently, lobbying money is being "organized" to fight for a sales tax increase. Traditionally, the areas the tax is to support would come out of a general fund. Whatever happens in Cole County, the general funds will increase. The legal battle will only answer, "how much."
MOTION
