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Staff photo by Annabeth Miller
The proposal that will be on the ballot will add one-eighth of one percent to the current sales tax of 6.35 percent. The new rate, if approved by voters, would bring the city sales tax to 6.475 percent.
The sales tax rate for the City of Kennett is currently 6.35 percent, according to officials. The officials added that the one-eighth per one cent increase would bring the total sales tax in the city to 6.475 percent, which Wheeler said is still below the rate of several surrounding communities.
"Supporting business in Kennett generates more tax revenue locally," Wheeler said. "Almost invariably when we shop out of town we are paying more for the opportunity through higher sales tax plus the travel expense. It is quite easy to go online to other city's web pages. Most recently I found that Jonesboro's sales tax is at 8 percent, Paragould is at 9.10 percent, Cape Girardeau is at 7.40 percent, and Dyersburg, Jackson and Memphis are all about 9 percent. Increasing Kennett's sales tax by 1/8 cent would means the city's sales tax I would still be at less than 7 percent."
Wheeler pointed out that the 1/8 cent increase would mean an addition 12.5 cents to every $100 spent. Based on city calculations, that amount would generate more than $170,000 for the city each year.
"That amount will not solve the financial problems of our city, but it will help us maintain the status quo," the mayor said.
The city has seen a dip in sales tax revenue over the amount projected in budget planning. The 2008-2009 estimated income from the current sales tax was $1456.500. However, actual sales tax income for the year ending June 30, 2009 was $1,279.952, a difference of $176,548.
Due to the lost income because of the lower sales tax receipts, the city has had to cut a number of programs, Wheeler said. Among those programs (and the savings) were:
* No May-Days clean up, $42,000
* No street overlay, $15,000
* Less sidewalk repair, $1,500
* Less street maintenance, $6,100
* Manage fuel consumption, $7,000
* Fire Department salaries, $29,500
* Small equipment, building maintenance, $9,200
* No new radio equipment, $5,000
* Airport salary, $4,000
* Airport equipment and repairs, $9,200
In addition, Wheeler reported an additional $8,000 was cut in miscellaneous items in city government. He added than an there are additional cuts being considered.
"Most people likely did not notice the little things that were being omitted. But quite honestly, more will be cut in 2010," he said.
Comments
Sure.......let's raise the taxes because the city is getting less money from sales taxes. That's the dumbest thing they could do. The reason why they are getting less money is cause people are spending less money because they have less money....so LETS TAKE MORE MONEY AWAY!!!!!!
Why aren't they cutting the mayor's pay? Or how about the Chief of police..........or the fire chief.....or all those who are living high on the hog from tax payer money? They can live on less money like the rest of us!!!!
Instead of raising a tax, cut spending. It makes sense, less money coming in means less spending. You can only tax the people so much. If a government acted more like the tax payer, when money is short you cut back, not increase spending or spend the same amount like you still had the money coming in. When times are bad you cut spending and when times are good you can increase spending.
why pay ore taxes its only gonna help the already rich there wont be anymore jobs here until we vote the major out hes all about himself. if they keep taking everything away from us soon ppl will leave then whos gonna pay there bills
The City of Kennett (Mayor and Council) is whistling Dixie if it believes the residents of Kennett will vote for a sales tax increase in a recession.
What a bunch of idiots we have in this town. Do you people know what a sales tax really is ?? Its a tax that everyone pays. Not just property owners but everyone that shops in Kennett. Now that being said has anyone drove thru WalMart parking lot lately and noticed how many Arkansas cars are in the parking lot well i did there are about 35% to 40% on any given day of the week. Guess what these people are paying OUR sales tax also then you add probably another 10% from Holcomb, Seanth and other nearby Missouri towns we are up to 50% being paid by people that dont even live here in Kennett. Guess what folks 50% of our sales tax comes from out of town. With that I really can't understand why anyone would not vote for this, my we are talking about 12.5 pennies more when we spent $100.00 everyone probably loses that much if not more in a day. Come on folks lets get with the program and try to help Kennett instead of hurting it, this is the fairest tax there is.
why are we idiots look at the roads all the run down buildings there had to be money in the past to fix it and wheres it at the roads are busted buildings still down gas is up food is up theres no jobs in kennett most ppl go out of town themselves why hurt are selves more when we wont see a change for the better start getting jobs and fixing this place then ill vote yesuntil then let us keep what little money we get
I am against a tax increase for Kennett, the mayor and chamber people want to compare us to Jonesboro, Dyersburg, etc and there is no comparison, we have no big stores or restaurants,we pay to much for trash pick up.Why do we want to contribute anymore to a city in stagnation?
They are putting the tax increase in an April election for the sole reason that most people will not even be aware there is an election!
yeah and you go to Montana and the sales tax is 0 all the way around! thats all the gov wants to do is tax this tax that. I bought something about walmart and couldnt believe just the tax alone was 8 dollars. omg that is unbelievable
Mr. "wake up people" must be a city official or employee who wants us to give them a bit more money so they can live a bit more comfortable......THE MAYOR CAN TAKE A PAY CUT!!!!!!
and so can every other city official that lives a bit too comfortably............why not?
the rest of us have taken pay cuts ............LEAD BY EXAMPLE
How about cutting out the City Administrator's job.. how much of a savings would that be? I personally voted to have our council members run the city, then they put in this City Administrator to do it... YIPES! Maybe we need to change all the positions up there at City Hall!