The clock is ticking on the city of Blytheville.
The Internal Revenue Service will only wait so long on the $3.2 million the city owes in back payroll taxes.
To say time is of the essence is an understatement.
Blytheville Mayor James Sanders has a self-imposed deadline of Monday to have a clear idea of all options available for the city's offer to the IRS.
The easiest way to repay the debt is the most unpopular. Sanders will have a difficult time selling his proposed 14-month, 1-cent tax to voters, presuming the City Council calls for the special election, though that would be the most expedient way to clear up the issue left by former mayor Barrett Harrison's administration.
The reason the pitch may fall on deaf ears is the feeling that members of the old regime should be the ones paying -- either out of their wallets or behind bars.
The problem is, the IRS couldn't care less whose fault it was, only that the city of Blytheville owes the debt. Uncle Sam will find a way to get his money long before the investigation is completed, rest assured.
Editor Andy Weld said it well a couple of weeks ago in a column: it is the citizens of Blytheville who are going to have to pay, whether it comes in the way of fewer community amenities, reduced police and fire protection, less spending on city infrastructure, new taxes or a damaged city credit rating.
It is Blytheville's debt, not Harrison's, former finance director Faye Griggs' or any other individual's. Unfair as it is, that's the reality.
Everyone has an opinion on how to pay the IRS.
A popular sentiment is closing down Thunder Bayou Golf Links, which reportedly has lost $166,000 in a six-month span.
Whether or not the city chooses to shut the doors, either temporarily or for good, the damage may be done.
Talk of shutting the doors may become a self-fulfilling prophesy because regulars or potential visitors to the course see a gloomy future for Thunder Bayou, wary how long it will remain open.
Shutting down or selling the golf course alone won't pay the debt, however. As for the latter suggestion, it would take too long to sell, if it ever did. The savings from shutting it down would chip away a little at the $3.2 million pie, so long as the city didn't move the money to another area of parks and recreation. Even before the IRS issue, cutting the losses on the golf course was at least worth considering as was stopping contributions to organizations capable of raising their own funds.
Selling the 700-plus acres of farmland at $2,000-3,000 an acre would cover a big chunk of the debt, but then there's a loss of farm rental revenue in an already cash-strapped budget.
Some have proposed a motel tax, which would be fine except the money can only be used for tourism, from what I understand.
So it's back to square one.
Unfortunately the 1-cent tax seems to be the most viable option if the city is to have a shot at returning to the glory days we've all heard so much about from longtime residents.
It would ease some of the burden on Blytheville residents because those living in Armorel, Gosnell and on the outskirts of the city would chip in when they bought goods or services in town.
Of course, non-Blytheville residents wouldn't have a say if it comes to a vote. However, if they think about it, bettering Blytheville is in their best interest because it is where a lot of them shop, work, utilize recreational opportunities, etc.
It's time for city leaders to make a decision, and at least show the IRS they are willing to stick their necks out to pay Blytheville's debt.
Then, they should stay in the prosecutor's ear until justice prevails.
mbrasfield@blythevillecourier.com