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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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