Why do we still send over $900,000.00 of our tax money to other communities?
Ladies and Gentlemen, I have been asked many times here, and on the street, "what are you going to do to bring our funds back into the black"? A very good question, and one that will be discussed, and re-discussed for some time to come. As we all know, we have funds "borrowing" from each other to pay their debt's. Now all things considered, on the surface that seems to be a great idea (borrow this to pay that), but in reality it's a major problem, as the pay back never seems to happen.
Now we would have the funds to do that if it were not for two small problems, 1. Sales tax revenues have been declining since 1999 (about 4% per year), and 2. We have been sending over $900,000.00 per year to other "Communities" to help fund their operations. If you recall there was an article by the mayor of Fenton not long ago outlining this debacle, as his City is also among those who are sending away their tax monies to places who are doing better than we are! (click on the header for the story).
How, you ask did this idiotic idea sprout wings? Well it seems that the County under Mr. Buzz Westfall needed some help in making sure that all of it's Cities were "fairly treated", and no one community had more than it's "fair share" of tax dollars, just because they happened to have a shopping center, or higher end stores (sounds like the teachings of Lenin to me).
The legislature in Jefferson City agreed, as did our Mayor at the time, and, well here we are, short our tax monies that would go a long way to get us out of the hole were in!
In my humble opinion, I feel we should band with the other communities who are plagued with this un-fair "re-distribution of wealth", and get this repealed, so we can take care of ourselves!
"My name is Tom Ford, and I want to be your Alderman from Ward Two"
Tom Ford
Ward Two
No79
Now we would have the funds to do that if it were not for two small problems, 1. Sales tax revenues have been declining since 1999 (about 4% per year), and 2. We have been sending over $900,000.00 per year to other "Communities" to help fund their operations. If you recall there was an article by the mayor of Fenton not long ago outlining this debacle, as his City is also among those who are sending away their tax monies to places who are doing better than we are! (click on the header for the story).
How, you ask did this idiotic idea sprout wings? Well it seems that the County under Mr. Buzz Westfall needed some help in making sure that all of it's Cities were "fairly treated", and no one community had more than it's "fair share" of tax dollars, just because they happened to have a shopping center, or higher end stores (sounds like the teachings of Lenin to me).
The legislature in Jefferson City agreed, as did our Mayor at the time, and, well here we are, short our tax monies that would go a long way to get us out of the hole were in!
In my humble opinion, I feel we should band with the other communities who are plagued with this un-fair "re-distribution of wealth", and get this repealed, so we can take care of ourselves!
"My name is Tom Ford, and I want to be your Alderman from Ward Two"
Tom Ford
Ward Two
No79
posted by Crestwood Independent at 16:59
5 Comments:
I don't believe any Crestwood Mayor has ever supported the sales tax redistribution. Former Mayor (at the time Alderman) Brasfield supported the least painful redistribution plan only after the writing was on the wall that it was going to change. The first incarnations of the plan would have caused far more damage - loss of sales tax.
Changing the formula is a nice thought, but "A" Cities like Crestwood repesent less than 1/4th of the population in St. Louis County. If the can of worms is opened, we will probably loose more.
Good idea, glad to see some out of the box thinking going on.
Mr. Brasfield supported the change, pure and simple, and "Buzz" Westfall was in a PYA mode when it was inacted.
We have the right people in Jefferson City to change this now, so why not give it a try?
In my opinion we do not need a "formula", but rather a realization that each City should take care of themselves! Just how long is Crestwood going to have to support "Wildwood" or wherever?
Why should we loose anything? We worked to bring these firms to Crestwood, and I for one am tired of paying these other "muni's" for our hard work!
It may take some "Hutzpah", but our Mayor, and C/A have what it takes to get it done, so I say, let's band with whomever, and get this removed from the book's while we have the people in Jefferson City to do it!
"My name is Tom Ford, and I want to be your Alderman from Ward two."
Tom Ford
Ward Two
First, I guess we will have to agree to disagree on former Mayor Brasfield's stance on the sales tax redistribution. That's OK.
Second, I agree the sales tax redistribution is a bummer for Crestwood. But so is how sales tax is collected on the sale of cars. Jim Butler and the Clinton Cadillac don’t generate a penny of sales tax for Crestwood when they sell a car to somebody who doesn’t live in Crestwood. If they did, we would get more sales tax than Sam’s generates.
Third, while it would be nice if Jeff City would do away with it, to get there it will be very difficult. Wildwood is represented by a very powerful State Senator who oversees the Committee that the legislation would have to go through - Very unlikely that he would agree to anything that hurts his constituents. Mr. Meyers and the Mayor, in my opinion, have enough to do in cleaning up the mess from last three years, than to do battle with Jeff City.
Finally, again I think that it is great that somebody is thinking out of the box! Keep up the good work. Crestwood needs people with fresh ideas and a willingness to take on difficult tasks. I just think this is one that, while it sounds good, we might want to pass on given what else we have to focus on.
Per Friday's issue of the Times, it looks like Jim Butler is moving to Fenton.
May not be a bad thing given the fact that we don't get any sales tax form car sales. Should be a prime location for some re-development. How about a mixed use project? Retail on the ground floor and residential on the top floors.
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