County roads could suffer if county-wide tax expires

Local governments could have to choose between cutting road improvements or increasing property taxes if the countywide sales tax is not renewed later this month during a special election.

The 1-percent sales tax which was established in April 2001 is scheduled to expire on June 30, 2011. The more than $1.5 million generated by the tax is distributed throughout Bourbon County, receiving half, and six other cities within the county dividing the other half. These cities include Bronson, Fort Scott, Fulton, Mapleton, Redfield, and Uniontown.

Receiving between $825,000 and $900,000 from the tax each year, Bourbon County would have to make some changes to its hard surface road program.

"The counties portion is dedicated to the maintenance and construction of hard surface roads," Bourbon County Clerk Joanne Long said.

With money collected over the last 10 years, the county has been able to create or maintain 20.75 miles of new asphalt roads, 50.25 miles of existing overlay, 25.25 miles of new chip-and-seal roads, and 26.25 miles of existing chip-and-seal roads. The money also goes toward the materials, equipment, and the salary for 15 employees for half the year -- the other half is paid out of the Road and Bridges Fund, Long said.

Totaling about nine mills, the county would have very few options if the tax is not renewed.

"We would either have to cut the program, cut elsewhere in the county, or increase property taxes," Long said.

The City of Uniontown could also see problems with their roads if the tax is not renewed. According to Uniontown City Clerk Bonnie George, Uniontown's allocation of about $19,000 each year goes toward the repair and maintenance of the city's roads. In addition to roads, George said the money is used for improvements and repairs to the city's aging infrastructure improvements.

"The main thing we have the most trouble with here is ... the gravel roads and the upkeep," She said. "It's mostly used for repairs ... It's important because we don't have any other way of getting that money."

The City of Fort Scott received about $650,000 annually through the sales tax which is used to pay off the state-mandated improvements to the water and wastewater facilities. Fort Scott Director of Finance Susan Brown said that sewer rates would likely double if the tax is not renewed.

The Tribune was unable to make contact with representatives from Bronson, Fulton, Mapleton, and Redfield, which split the approximately $157,000 remaining from the tax allocation.

The special election will be held June 15, however Long said that 260 ballots have been mailed out already and 61 residents have taken advantage of the advance voting. Advance voting is currently taking place during normal operating hours on the third floor of the Bourbon County Courthouse, 210 S. National Ave., and will be available until noon, June 14. Advance voting is open to all 10,000 registered voters in Bourbon County.

To request a ballot, contact the Bourbon County Clerk's Office at (620) 223-3800 or stop by the office on the third floor of the Bourbon County Courthouse.