Blytheville Unlimited opposes tax proposal

To the Editor,

Blytheville Unlimited opposes the sales tax increase proposed by the City of Blytheville government.

We can all agree that our city has financial problems. We agree that we need better streets and more effective police protection. We are in agreement with the mayor and the city council that our city employees deserve a raise for their services. We agree that we need to remove dilapidated buildings and we would also love to see a new community center for our residents. We agree that we should pay our delinquent jail fees to Mississippi County. However, we disagree that all of that burden should be thrown back on taxpayers. Some of that burden belongs in the hands of management. It is no secret that we have had financial management problems in our city government both in past administrations as well as in the current administration, but local taxpayers have paid time and time again, with police and fire taxes, infrastructure tax and parks and recreation taxes. The city needs to find other ways to create revenue and lower costs, rather than expecting taxpayers to solve their administrative problems at every turn. Blytheville Unlimited has advocated for and continues to endorse a City Manager form of government because a nearly $17 million budget with over 200 employees equals a big business. Meanwhile however, instead of big business management, our city finances reflect wasteful and questionable spending that results in mistrust on the part of citizens. Until we gain that trust, voters should be very apprehensive about giving the city administration another blank check to spend however it chooses.

By passing this tax, we will be in the higher echelon of city tax rates across the state, putting yet another obstacle in front of local retailers. In spite of that, if we were assured of getting outstanding services and marked improvements for those tax dollars, Blytheville Unlimited would be endorsing the tax 100%. Instead, we are being asked to trust our administration that the money will be spent wisely. Based on historical experience, we cannot count on that to happen.

-- Randy Scott

President of Blytheville Unlimited