Tax Increase for Sewage; It's not the Answer

23 February 2009

The one cent sales tax proponents’ approach to gain votes by education of the masses is a waste of time and effort. Everyone concedes that repair and modernization is required.

They let the system reach this stage of disrepair by not properly maintaining and modernizing through the years. Our argument is how to correct the problem, short of a 1 cent tax on everyone who shops in Batesville.

It is possible to do, but we have to go back in history so we don’t repeat it in the future; otherwise, the situation will recur in this or other departments of city government.

We have all known about the sewage problem for some while. The problem is obviously lack of management and attention to detail within city government, and the answer lies in this fact.

If fees were not sufficient to maintain and occasionally modernize the system, they should have been increased, or reallocation of funds from revenues returned from the state should have been affected. Reallocation of funds will result in lower priority funding to be reduced. In a depressed economy, it may also require that manpower be reduced, as is taking place with the majority of corporations at present.

I would recommend that the city cancel the upcoming vote to increase the taxes on the people, who are slated to face a significant increase in fees as well. Establish a comprehensive plan to overcome the problem, by setting minimally needed fees, reallocation of funds, and manpower reductions, if needed. Further, establish timelines and milestones. It could take five to ten years, but that is more reasonable than trying to force the total amount all at once.

Next, get to Little Rock, with Van Thomas in tow, if possible, and see Ms. Theresa Marks, Director of ADEQ. The Mayor should become an advocate and negotiator, showing her that the city is on top of the problem and making every effort to correct it. I am convinced that she will accept the proposal. If not, Sen. Mark Prior contacted EPA in Washington on a project for me in the past, and I believe the problem can be worked out.

Why irritate almost everyone in the city and surrounding area unless it is absolutely necessary? Perhaps someone sees an opportunity for personal gain in having such a large sum of money, in interest, issuing bonds, or underwriting them, as seen in the past.

Failing this approach, I recommend that the out of town people buy, as much as possible, outside of the city, and that the residents of Batesville vote “No” on the issue. The city gets sufficient funds to keep it
operating properly! How they spend it may be a problem. Check the Municipal League Journal, in the City Clerk’s office for the past several years, and you will see that, except for the past few months, while in recession, that the monthly tax revenue returns to Batesville have greatly exceeded inflation.


Don Bice
139 Rorie St.
Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 251 2714