Hancock County Commissioners Thursday morning voted to impose a three-quarters of a percent increase in the sales and use tax.
Barring any effort to block the tax, collection will begin Oct. 1. The tax has a 22-year sunset provision, meaning the increase would expire at that time.
The increase is expected to generate about $7.5 million annually. Revenue would be divided about equally between operating expenses, a building and renovation project for county-owned buildings, and part of the local share of flood mitigation.
Two public hearings were held on the proposal (Courier stories): July 23 and July 17.
Commissioner Phil Reigle said Thursday the tax was imposed because the August 2007 flooding damaged about two-thirds of county-owned buildings and the community needed to add local dollars to state and federal funds for flood relief. The other option would have been to put the tax on the ballot.
What do you think? Do you agree with the commissioners' decision to impose the tax? Should it have been put on the ballot? Would voters approve such a measure?
Feel free to leave a comment below, in accordance with our User Agreement.
Recent Comments