Sales tax proposed to voters

One of the main items that will be on the ballot next Tuesday, April 7, is a county-wide sales tax proposal. It will be an opportunity for voters to decide on a much needed one-half cent sales tax. It will be used solely for the purpose of funding improvements to transportation infrastructure in New Madrid County.

A joint press release of the County Commissioners, Mark Baker, Don Day and Tom Bradley reads: "With over 600 miles of county roads to maintain, the current funding for the county Road and Bridge Department -- primarily from property taxes and state distributions from the County Aid Road Trust Fund -- is no longer sufficient to cover the escalating costs of adequately maintaining our road and bridge infrastructure."

The three commissioners explained over the past several years the revenue shortfalls in the Road and Bridge Fund have reduced the reserves in the fund by over $1 million. Continuing to provide the current levels of maintenance and improvements to the county's roads and bridges will deplete all reserves in the fund in a short time. Without additional revenue sources, as the sales tax increase, the county will be forced to scale back the road and bridge maintenance schedules in order to operate within the current funding."

"If the sales tax issue passes, the County Commission will reduce the annual Road and Bridge property tax rate by 50 percent. A sales tax will be the fairest way to provide the revenue needed, and a large portion of New Madrid County's sales tax revenue is generated by consumers and travelers on I-55 that live outside of New Madrid County," said the commissioners.

They also said that upon passage of the sales tax, the County Commission will begin identifying and prioritizing new road and bridge improvement projects that are needed for the transportation infrastructure. The additional revenue generated by the sales tax each year will be budgeted for specific road and bridge improvement projects beyond the current maintenance schedules.

This tax will also provide for the continued assistance to the communities in New Madrid County from the Road and Bridge Department. The Road and Bridge Department has been available to assist all of the communities in the county with various projects over the years. However, without additional revenue sources, the ability to provide the use of the county's equipment and manpower will be greatly reduced or eliminated. With the passage of the sales tax, the county will be able to provide as much assistance as possible when a call for help arises from our communities.

Baker said he and the other commissioners, First District Commissioner Tom Bradley and Second District Commissioner Don Day, agreed the sales tax is the best approach to generate the needed funds not only to maintain but also to start improving the county's roads and bridges.

The newest member of the Commission, Bradley said following the recent March snow storm, he received numerous complaints about county road conditions. He also noted that during that storm and previous ones, the County Highway Department worked with many of the smaller communities that don't have snow removal equipment to open their roads to traffic.

"If the tax is passed we can continue to help some of the smaller communities with snow removal and to keep gravel roads on the roads," he said. "Everyone will benefit from this (tax) if it is passed."

Bradley said with the addition of more equipment funded through the sales tax, he would like to see the County Highway Department work with school districts to establish snow routes.

County Clerk Clement Cravens said if the tax is approved in April, the county could begin receiving funds in August. However, before then Commissioners and County County Highway Engineer Donnie Brown would begin identifying and prioritizing the work to be done and even begin some projects.

Day said with a guaranteed revenue stream, the county could spend some reserves to prevent those roads in bad condition from continued deterioration and consider new projects. Each year following, commissioners pledged, they will budget for specific road and bridge improvements beyond the current maintenance schedule.

The promised reduction by 50 percent of the annual Road and Bridge property tax rate, would eliminate about $500,000 worth of property taxes annually in the county, Cravens said.

While this would benefit only property owners in the county, Commissioners said they believe the sales tax is still the fairest way to provide the needed revenue. They pointed out a large portion of the sales tax revenue would be generated by those consumers and travelers along the major highways criss-crossing the county.

And everyone - whether they live in the county or are traveling through, Baker emphasized, benefits from improved roads and bridges.