To raise taxes or not to raise taxes. Such is the question facing Jackson voters tomorrow. There is no two ways about it. Jackson's infrastructure is falling apart: sinkholes, mini-gushers in the middle of the street, disintegrating clay pipes. The can has been kicked down the road so many times Jackson is running out of road... literally and figuratively. How will you vote tomorrow?
What are the options?
1. Do nothing. Let things continue as they are.
2. Sell bonds. Doing so would require a massive amount of bonds sold. Then there is the matter of the interest costs, the fees for lawyers, underwriters, and other professionals who graduated with MBA's in Sticky Fingers.
3. Raise property taxes. Jackson has the highest property taxes in the metro area. Forcing property owners to pay even more taxes will just push them out to the burbs even faster.
4. Commuter tax. Good job. Give businesses another reason to move to the burbs.
5. Cut spending. Will cutting the budget provide enough savings to pay for the needed repairs over the next decade?
6. Raise the sales tax. Sales taxes are considered to be regressive but they are paid by everyone instead of just one select group usually in the minority. Everyone has to pay it regardless of income or means. It is the most voluntary of all such taxes. Don't like it? Don't make the purchase or make a cheaper one.
Brian Eason took time out from listening to gangsta rap to report in the Clarion-Ledger:
Voters have the chance to decide Tuesday whether a one cent sales tax option is the way to do it. It’s expected to generate $12 million to $15 million per year until the tax expires in 20 years. In all, that’s as much as $300 million reserved specifically for the city’s ailing infrastructure and enough to make a serious dent if the money is spent effectively.
The needs are not debatable. Each new publicized cost estimate has been large enough to shock and still has fallen short of the mark. First, the problems were measured in hundreds of millions. Then a billion. Now, studies show that the drainage system alone would take almost a billion dollars to fix.
The best available estimate currently is more than $2 billion.
That’s $400 million for sewer, $500 million for water, $900 million for drainage and $20 million to $29 million per year for street repairs until the city can catch up to a more sustainable yearly maintenance schedule.
Let's see, $15 million per year times 20 years equals $300 million. $300 million v. $1-2 billion dollars and the problems that are not fixed will continue to get worse each year.
A ten-member commission will oversee the spending of the sales tax revenue. Many people don't like it but let's be honest, Jackson hasn't exactly earned anyone's trust in its stewardship of taxpayer money. There was a similar push for a $150 million bond issue for schools a few years ago. We passed it, patted ourselves on the back for caring about schools, and have watched JPS completely squander it as they are worse than ever. To make matters worse, the school board demands more money from us as more schools fail. To put it bluntly, no one trusts the current leadership in Jackson.
That is the biggest hurdle the city faces tomorrow. Trust.
31 comments:
Won't be voting for any increased sales tax until the massive "temporary" property tax increase is rolled back. The previous one didn't get rolled back, this latest one won't either. Byram, Clinton, Madison and Rankin counties will reap the windfall from any increase in sales tax.
Vote Yes! The District of Kush is counting on you!!!
I just don't see a scenario where Jackson is allowed to go the way of Detroit and Birmingham and any other large city that's allowed itself to be bankrupted by corrupt politicians. The difference? We need to have a working state government and a place to put it. I don't think a penny sales tax will fix the infrastructure problems, but something needs to be done unless we're ready to foot the bill to move the capital.
According to the Clarion Ledger, Jackson needs $2 billion to remedy its many infrastructure problems, but the proposed 1% tax would raise about $15 million annually. I'm not a math major, but I think $15 million is less than one percent (.75) of $2 billion. The proposed tax is nothing more than a drop in a large, leaking rain barrel. It would seem that bonds are the only answer, assuming the funds would be administered and spent competently. So what is the purpose of the tax when it will account for so little (less than one percent) of the needed money?
We need a transparent budget!
So the City of Jackson either can't or won't do their job with the money they already take from tax payers. But they promise that if we just give them more money, then they can fix the problems.
They want more taxes on top of nearly doubling the water bills. No thanks, I pay more than enough already.
Don't like it? Don't make the purchase or make a cheaper one.
There is another option KF. Don't make the purchase in Jackson.
I'm voting for it, but at this juncture, I think there is zero chance of the city of Jackson spending the money appropriately.
If it passes you can bet your bottom dollar that every Detroit carpet bagger and congressman approved business man will have a bloated, over the top professional service or construction contract by the next new year.
My only hope is that by some twist of fate, my fair city will unsuspectedly elect a leader with the integrity needed to give taxpayers in Jackson get some degree of value for their tax burden.
The vote I cast on Tuesday is as much for the infrastructure as it is for the next Mayor. If the next time around the unthinkable happens and we get lucky, at least this way the poor soul has something left to work with.
My understanding is the funds go into a special escrow account. The city council can not touch it, hence the commission.
One aspect of Jackson's money problems has to do with the way the city runs its' vehicle program. The next time the city has an auction at the city garage, count the hundreds of people there to get bargain after bargain. The city nearly gives away city vehicles, in part, because the auction company has a limited amount of hours to get the job done. So, a vehicle that is worth $3,500.00 will sell QUICKLY for $400-600.00. Then notice the vehicle is not very old, but beat to a pulp from employees that don't care.
We have ALL seen any number of examples of 1 man working, or digging, and 5 workers holding shovels.
If only someone could do a REAL study on resources wasted in Jackson.
Narrowly dodged a giant sinkhole on Winchester ST by JA today. It was over half the width of the street and really deep. You'll want to avoid that area, jus sayin. Y'all need to do something, I dunno what will work for 'ya though. Good luck.
The tax has been touted as a one percent increase, when actually it is a 14.29% increase (1/7=14.29) Also, it is weighted, i.e., only applicable to certain goods and services. Surely they could have arrived at a simpler formula for a variety of reasons. I think they're full of crap, and hoodwinking people.
The amount of money required to fix all the infrastructure problems is not designed to be cured by this one method. Part of the sewer cost will be paid by the other entities using the system. Other parts will come from the regular water and sewer fees collected as well as the gas taxes that are collected. The sales tax increase will be 'one method' not 'the method'. But details sometimes bother blog commentators.
The increased sales tax can only be used when approved by the commission - thus providing a method of transparency that will be new to our fair city. Frankly, I'm voting for it. In calculating how much I spend in the city every year for the things that will be subject to this tax, the cost to my personal budget will be miniscule - less than $50/year. If you don't want to pay the extra 1%, drive across the county line to buy your clothes or jewelry.
But with Carter's alltime sales, surely the 1% increase can't make them cost more than other places.
The tax is earmarked for roads. The $15 million per year will be more than enough to fund Jackson's road repair needs every year. The commission will look over the accountability of the funds. Part of each years proceeds are to be spent equally per council district, for road repair in that council district.
People bitch about bad roads. Here is something that can address thaat problem. You cant get something for nothing; you muct pay for the improvements you want and need. I plan to vote for the sales tax.
12:09 Crossing the county line would probably be a lot safer.
Make no mistake about it, passage of this tax will be the final nail in the coffin for the few remaining businesses on Jackson's side of County Line Road.
Bill - I tend to favor the Legislature's taking over the city of Jackson, on the premise that however incompetent the Legislature is, the city gov't is worse.
Just get all the people out, stick and match to it and start over!
How could passage of this bill spell doom for ANY business, much less those on the south side of County Line Road. If this fund is indeed restricted and kept safe from council use and trickery, I think it may be a good idea. What are the options other than complete infrastructure collapse?
I constantly bitch on this blog about safety and such, but this is not a safety issue. Something must be done.
If this fund is indeed restricted and kept safe from council use and trickery...
I do not believe it is possible to keep it safe or away from council use.
anyone that votes for any tax increases in this modern progressive buildup of government, deserves the credit for the continued demise of this country.
How one can justify half of the average middle class taxpayer's income going to taxes and fees associated with running the government with voting for an additional tax is beyond me. I don't care what is wrong or how many children will be affected. This issue has been long coming and is a product of poor government, not lack of funds.
Look at the individuals responsible, not a single one would be selected to run a profitable business, yet some would vote to give them more of everyone's dwindling monies to further stuff in the rabbit hole in hopes the drain will be plugged.
I agree with your final assessment, 4:40. None of the players in Jackson government over at least the past twenty years could successfully apply for work in the private sector.
But, again, what is the alternative? It may be OK for Jackson to collapse around itself. Then 'state government' would be forced to make choices. Do we remain in this sinkhole or do we (as the current Attorney General has done) rent office space elsewhere in the state? With high tech electronics what they are, the government could be 'run' from any combination of locations.
Those elected to enter the retirement pipeline in Jackson will never, ever rescue the city from sure destruction. They will only languish in the thick muck of that pipeline for the requisite number of years and then plop out the other end of the pipeline with a monthly direct deposit.
We all agree on the problem and the cause. So, what is the answer?
It'll be ok. Whole Foods is coming.
For over 190 years Jackson has been the capital of this state. The legislature changed the charter in the early days to suit itself. The citizens here, like Washingtonians, have only a measure of self-government. The feds and the State of Mississippi have enormous power here, but voters should pass the 1% sales tax to make the capital improvements ourselves or others will have to do it.
"The citizens here, like Washingtonians, have only a measure of self-government."
True enough, and any Jackson citizen who is over 190 years old has a valid grudge about how the charter was changed.
Everyone else knew what the deal was when they chose to live here, and should stop whining. That goes for D.C. too.
Let the others do it. The state of high unemployment, low wage jobs, political espionage, high taxes and high inflation has their wagon loaded.
I'm on the fence about this tax increase. My Daddy voted 100 percent of the time against any tax increase. He said that the politicians always wanted more of his money so they could waste in on unnecessary spending.
However, I have yet to hear an alternative solution to figuring out how to fix our archaic water system, etc. Jackson's infrastructure must be fixed, and it's going to be expensive. Money must be raised to do it. Tough call.
If we don't fix all them pipes soon, won't be no need to build two-lakes. The whole damn place gonna be a swamp when fifty mains bust loose at wunst.
Then you can shut off all the water and the water-works curve can be a boat ramp. Then all we need is Burwell to put up a twenty two story motel and Ben Allen selling worms at Leland's Bait Emporium.
Jerry Lake gonna have one helluva flood-sale and Jerry Mitchell be takin' photographs of PO Folks on top of Westland Plaza wavin' at helicopter planes.
What about using all the revenue the developers said the city would generate if we built the downtown convention center, or the revenue that the developers said would be generated if the Farish Street project were built, or the revenue that will come in when Capital Street gets redirected to two-way. Why don't we use that money for infrastructure maintenance? Or perhaps if the city hadn't spent the money on those projects and paying millions to developers the city might have the money necessary for the infrastructure maintenance.
So, when does the voter ID go into effect? Went to vote today at lunch (at Spann Elementary) and nobody wanted to see my picture ID. Where's Delbert?
90 - 10. Haters read this shit AND WEEP.
And before you pop off (which is right around the corner), understand this overwhelming vote bodes well for all cities that want the chance to VOTE for their future, irrespective of the redneck rubes in the legislature that "govern" our state.
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