Dear editor: County 'modified' millage

Dear editor:

Last year Garland County Judge Rick Davis and the Quorum Court decided to "modify" the county-imposed property tax. This tax is collected from all Garland county residents -- those who live inside the city as well as those who live out in the unincorporated areas (e.g. those who live "out in the county").

Previously, the county millage was collected just to improve roads. However, last year the Quorum Court decided to put this money into the County's General Fund. At first, this change would seem harmless. The tax rate was left unchanged -- 1.2 mills, or about $24 for a house valued at $100,000. However, this change had a huge impact on how the money was spent -- and on who benefits.

When this millage was collected specifically for roads, state law required that at least half the $700,000 collected from property owners inside the city had to be spent repairing roads within the city limits. The county would turn $350,000 (of the $700,000 collected from city residents) back to the city and the city in turn would use this money to pave city roads. This requirement ensured that at least some of the money collected from city residents was used for their direct benefit. The remaining $350,000 collected from city residents was used to subsidize road improvements outside the city.

However, in changing the millage from a road tax to one supporting the county's General Fund, the county no longer has to provide a portion of this money to the city for road paving. Instead, the Quorum Court suddenly discovered that the county budget had an "extra" $350,000. Just as an aside, after finding this "extra money," the Quorum Court last year voted itself a nearly 50 percent pay raise -- but only after the election, thereby protecting themselves from voter backlash.

If you are a city resident and find the city streets you are driving over in need of repair, call County Judge Rick Davis or your JP. Ask why your county-imposed property taxes are no longer being used to repair roads inside the city (that is, why money you pay to the county is not being used for your benefit)? Also ask your JP if they voted to change the millage from a road tax to a general fund tax and ask why they did not speak up and protect your interests. Most importantly, tell them you want them to change the county millage back to a road tax!

And watch out for potholes!

Verna Linder

Hot Springs

Editorial on 11/25/2015

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