Straw vote favors sales tax hike, no sunset

In a straw vote taken at the city sales tax informational meeting Tuesday night, the majority chose a 11?2-cent tax with no sunset clause.

The meeting, at the Heritage Senior Center, drew about 25 people and was attended by city department heads, council members, senior citizens and local residents.

Participants also chose LB840 as the top project for sales tax proceeds, a state law that splits a portion of a 11?2-cent sales tax to economic development.

McCook's city sales tax is at 1 percent, sunsets in September 2008 and and will have to go to the voters to be continued. LB840 would also have to be approved by voters.

Mayor Dennis Berry said results of the meeting shows that residents are ready to invest in their community.

Many communities already use LB840 for its flexibility and to add incentives for businesses, said Rex Nelson, director of the McCook Economic Development Corp.

If approved, proceeds from LB840 would be divided up with a half cent for property tax relief, a half cent for capital improvement and a half cent for economic development. About $200,000 to $300,000 would go to economic development and the rest to capital improvement projects.

At the meeting Thursday, participants brainstormed during break-out sessions and pinpointed almost 60 projects that could be funded by sales tax proceeds. They then voted on their top seven projects.

These included LB840, signage that directs visitors to city amenities such as the Kiplinger Arena and disc golf, pre-treating the streets before winter storms, removing blighted buildings, an incinerator to dispose of trash, enhancing the RV parks and walking trails, and continuing to pay down water debt.

These projects will be considered by City Council members as projects that could be funded by the sales tax, if the tax is approved by voters.

Another "Townhall Meeting" could be scheduled in the future, indicated city staff and council members.