The Martin County Commissioners decided not to put a sales tax initiative on this year’s ballot.  They heard from their constituents that the amount, duration and scope proposed were far too broad. Unfortunately, when that initial proposal was seen as too ambitious, there was no commission consensus on the sales taxes parameters. Concerns regarding election and state requirements made it impossible for further discussion this year.

That does not mean that the necessity of having a dedicated income stream for maintenance of the county and municipality’s road and other infrastructure repairs should be abandoned. Maintenance is clearly a function of government and should be a priority. The discussion shouldn’t be whether a dedicated sales tax should be enacted but instead it should be on how the proceeds will be used.

A majority of residents do want to maintain the roads and other infrastructure. What I and many others do not want to see happen is the use of those funds for other projects. Whether one agrees or disagrees with how past tax initiatives proceeds were used, the voters are quite skeptical of promises by politicians. That is why the manner in which a sales tax question is worded on the ballot will be very important in whether it passes.

A ½ cent sales tax with a 3 to 5 year duration limited only to road and drainage maintenance would pass.  Deterioration due to deferred maintenance affects the lives and businesses of all county residents and visitors. It is a matter of constituent trust regarding how and on what our elected officials spend those funds that is in question. Until that trust is restored, the commission and bureaucrats should be kept on a short leash.