BY ANDY TAYLOR
chronicle@taylornews.org

COFFEYVILLE — City commissioners voiced support Tuesday for asking Coffeyville city residents to approve a new one-half cent sales tax to be used for street improvements.

Commissioners learned from city counselor Paul Kritz that Coffeyville’s current total sales tax rate, 7.8 percent, has one-half cent remaining before it meets a state cap on local sales taxes. If a one-half cent sales tax is approved by voters, then the total city tax rate will be 8.3 percent.

City manager Jeff Morris said a one-half cent sales tax should generate between $700,000 to $800,000 per year. He asked if the election question would include a sunset clause, where the sales tax would either end or be returned to voters for renewal, or if it should be established indefinitely.

Commissioners indicated their desire to have a sunset clause attached to the question and that the ballot specifically mention how the sales tax money would be used.

Commissioner Alec Hendryx said he had concerns about the condition of many city sidewalks, many of which, he said, were in an unsafe condition.

However, Mayor Richard Gonzales said the feeling from most citizens is that any extra tax revenue should be used for street improvements.

“I think the sidewalks are a separate issue, but I think we need to attack the streets first,” Gonzales said.

Commissioners also indicated a desire to not have bond money attached to the sales tax funds. Instead, they plan to use the tax revenue as the money is collected.

“I don’t like to borrow money,” said commissioner Pam Jones. “If you don’t have the money now, you might not have it later.”

As for when the sales tax election might be presented to the voters, commissioners had differing opinions on when to hold a special election. Commissioner Jim Taylor, Sr., said he would prefer a special election as soon as possible, however city counselor Paul Kritz advised commissioners that property owners will be receiving their 2009 property tax statements in the coming months. The mood to address higher sales taxes at a time when property taxes are due might not be a good time to have a sales tax election, Kritz said.

However, Taylor said the time to have the sales tax election was long overdue.

“We’ve been afraid to do it for so long,” he said. “Now is the time to either do it or not. I think our community is receptive to it.”