June
15, 2011
Attention Darke
County Commissioners:
A footnote to the Darke County Commissioner’s meeting today, Wednesday
June 15, 2011 at 1:30 P.M. in the Commissioner’s Conference Room.
My personal assessment of the hour and a half discussion regarding the
“Real Property Transfer Tax” --aka Conveyance Fees -- was that
virtually all present considered an aggressive Economic Development
effort was vital to the growth and financial well being of Darke
County. It also seemed that all present with the exception of the
Economic Development Director and the members of the Community
Improvement Council (CIC) opposed the option of increased funding for
the Economic Development effort via an increase in the current
permissive conveyance fee from one dollar ($1) to two dollars ($2).
If the preceding assessment is correct, then the focus should be on a
different source of money versus increasing a virtually unknown hidden
fee/tax. Suggestions that might be considered as a better source of
funds than more taxes are listed below and should be considered
possibilities that can be modified or used to develop better
procedures/programs.
1. Increase the Partners in
Progress membership to fifty (50) from the current thirty five (35) and
request a yearly donation of $3,000.00. (Note... this was corrected by
Marc Saluk: “Just a quick note: the number of investors is currently
more than 50 (as opposed to 35) and new members are coming aboard
monthly.”
2. Have the County Commissioners
revise the mandatory fee from accruing to the general operating fund to
the CIC.
3. Give the people of Darke County
an opportunity to contribute to the CIC, a 501 (c )(4) nonprofit
organization, with the funds donated specifically designated for the
Economic Development effort.
4. Have the CIC conduct a formal
raffle dedicated to the Economic Development effort.
Based on the level of personnel that make up the CIC, I would
hope that a better suggestion than the four listed could/would be
selected. The consistent theme in the four suggestions should be
retained --- NO NEW TAXES/FEES.
Al Bliss
Greenville
|
