August 3 Primary Election Ballot Proposals
Commentary by Jim Day
On August 3rd voters around the State of Missouri will be going to the polls to choose candidates within their chosen political parties who (should they win their election) will go on to represent their parties in the upcoming November 2nd General Elections.
Along with the Primary candidates on the ballot, there will be various city and county proposals put before the voters and, this year, there will also be two very important State Constitutional Amendments that will be appearing on the ballot.
State
Constitutional Amendments
State
Constitutional Amendment 1, will allow voters to decide whether or not the
corruption riddled, life and family destroying blight of gambling should be
allowed in Rockaway Beach, Missouri. Rockaway is not even a stones throw away
from the home of a multitude of wholesome, family oriented entertainment and
vacation sites in
The
second Constitutional Amendment that will be on the ballot (Amendment 2) is one
which strengthens and clarifies existing state law regarding the God ordained
and sanctified institution of marriage. This extremely important amendment
makes it perfectly clear that ONLY the union of one man and one woman shall
constitute a valid and state recognized marriage in
City-County
Proposals
As previously mentioned, there will also be proposals on the August Primary Ballot that residents of specific municipalities and counties will be asked to approve or disapprove in the form of tax increases and bond issues.
Tax
Increase Proposals
Tax increases range from as little as 9 cents to as much as 69 cents per one $100 of assessed valuation. Of course, all of these tax increases are in addition to what tax payers are already paying in taxes. To give you an example, in the case of the Franklin County Lonedell R-XIV School District Proposition (which is asking voters for a 69 cent tax increase) this proposal, if passed, potentially represents a tax increase of up to $690 for residents whose homes have an assessed value of at least $100,000. That my friends is a hefty tax increase to say the least.
Bond
Proposals
Bond
issues are tough to analyze because they can vary greatly in their pay-back
schemes. Some opportunities are just too
good to pass up, while others are foolhardy and reckless requiring a higher tax
rate in the future to retire debt avoided today – a form of tyranny which passes
along debt to future generations. Voters should never allow governments or
institutions to create debt for future generations -- especially when those governments
or institutions have repeatedly demonstrated poor use and management of other
financial resources.
Construction and maintenance of infrastructure (roads, bridges, sewer systems, etc.) are key responsibilities of government. However, before endorsing any bond issue or tax increase in this area, a city’s or county’s past performance in handling public funds regarding infrastructure management should be examined. If they have been good stewards and responsible in the past, I would say, vote YES. If they have had problems with financial accountability, I would say, vote NO.
Misleading
Proposals
In
If these cities cannot convince their residents to stay in their cities rather than allowing their investments to turn into run-down rental property or just allowing their property to decay, then these cities have much deeper problems which need to be addressed. On top of that, voters should never reward a city for a deceptive revenue scheme such as calling housing code violation fines “registration fees.”
Let
the Voter Beware
Historically speaking
(with very few exceptions) the MetroVoice has only
recommended to its readers how to vote on state-wide or national issues --
not local municipal issues. In keeping with our history, we chose not to endorse
one way or another any of the county or municipal proposals which will be
appearing on the August 3rd ballot. Voters need to investigate
for themselves these issues to see if they can afford the additional taxes
or feel that the benefits out weight the risks of approving a bond issue.
That said, we have however attempted to shed some
light on what the proposed tax increases will potentially cost the taxpayers
in their respective counties/communities. At the end of each tax proposal,
bolded and in brackets, we have provided the potential tax increase which
the proposal represents based upon a home that has an assessed value of $100,000.
Taxpayers need to remember that these tax increases are above and beyond what
they are already paying in taxes and, of course, homeowners whose homes are
assessed above $100,000 will pay even more than we have indicated.
One
thing I will say is, “I never met a tax increase I liked.”
The
following is the list of proposals which will appear on the August 3rd Primary
Ballot within the majority of
| Missouri State Wide Ballot Issues |
CONSTITUTIONAL
AMENDMENT NO.
1
Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to authorized
floating gambling facilities on or adjacent to the White River in Rockaway
Beach, Missouri, to be licensed and regulated consistent with all other
floating facilities in the State of Missouri, with fifty percent of the state
revenues generated in the current year to be used for uniform salary supplement
grants to all high quality teachers employed in priority schools, and the
remaining state revenues generated in the current year to be distributed to all
priority school districts on a per pupil basis for capital improvements to
education facilities?
This constitutional amendment will generate annual direct
gaming revenue ranging from $39.9 to $49.0 million for the state and $10.2 to
$12.4 million for the local government, subject to local voter approval and
licensing by the State Gaming Commission.
The amount of indirect revenue or expense, if any, is unknown.
CONSTITUTIONAL
AMENDMENT NO.
2
Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended so that to be
valid and recognized in this state, a marriage shall exist only between a
man and a woman?
The estimated fiscal impact of this proposed measure to
state and local governments is $0.
VOTE YES on Amendment
2
| City of St. Louis Missouri Ballot Issues |
AMENDMENT TO THE ST. LOUIS CITY CHARTER – PROPOSTION E
Proposition to amend Section 1 of Article
2 of the Charter of the City of
Article 2, Section 1. When General Municipal Elections Held.
A general municipal election shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in April, 2005, and every two years thereafter.
| St. Louis County Missouri Ballot Issues |
CITY
OF
Shall the City of Berkeley be authorized to impose a semi-annual
registration fee of $200 to be paid by the owner of any residential structure
in the City which has been vacant for six months or more and is in violation
of the City’s housing codes?
Shall the City of Chesterfield enter into the Franchise
Agreement with the St. Louis County Water Company, d/b/a/ Missouri American
Water Company, set forth in Ordinance No. 1825 for the purpose of installing,
extending, maintaining and operating a water system, and regulating the right
to use and excavate in public streets and other public locations?
MAPLEWOOD/RICHMOND
HEIGHTS
For the purposes of acquiring, constructing, renovating, improving,
furnishing and equipping District facilities and grounds, including but not
limited to (1) renovating existing and constructing new academic space, renovating
the gymnasium and locker rooms, installing a new security system, upgrading
technology and upgrading structural components of the High School, (2) renovating
the restrooms and upgrading structural components of the Early Childhood Center,
(3) acquiring, constructing, furnishing and equipping a new library for the
Middle School and High School, including any necessary acquisition of land
therefore, shall the Maplewood-Richmond Heights School District, St. Louis
County, Missouri, issue its general obligation bonds in the amount of Eight
Million Six Hundred Thousand Dollars ($8,600,000)?
Shall the City of Country Club Hills be authorized to impose
a semi-annual registration fee of $200.00 to be paid by the owner of any residential
structure in the City which has been vacant for six months or more and is
in violation of the City’s housing codes?
Shall the City of Northwoods, Missouri,
issue its general obligation bonds in the amount of $5,200,000 for the purpose
of constructing and improving streets city-wide?
Shall the Board of Education of the Normandy School District of St. Louis
County, Missouri, borrow money in the amount of Sixteen Million Dollars ($16,000,000)
for the purpose of providing funds for the modernization of the High School
Campus including remodeling and repairs to the existing buildings, expansion
of educational space, safety and security improvements, upgrading the Heating,
Ventilation and Air Conditioning systems, installation of more energy efficient
mechanical and electrical systems, window replacement, and parking lot improvements;
to complete other remodeling and repair improvements to the existing facilities
of the District including, without limitation, roof replacement and removal
of obsolete buildings; and issue bonds for the payment thereof?
FLORISSANT VALLEY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT - PROPOSITION A
(Simple majority required)
Shall the Board of Directors of the Florissant Valley Fire
Protection District be authorized to levy an additional tax of not more than
twenty-nine cents per one hundred dollars assessed valuation to provide funds
for the support of an ambulance service or partial or complete support of
an emergency medical technician defibrillator program or partial or complete
support of an emergency medical technician paramedic first responder program?
[MV Comment: If
passed, this proposal potentially represents a tax increase of up to $290 on a
home that has an assessed value of $100,000.]
METRO-NORTH FIRE
PROTECTION DISTRICT - PROPOSITION I
Shall the Board of Directors of the Metro-North Fire Protection District be
authorized to levy an additional tax of not more than twenty-five cents on
the one hundred dollars assessed valuation to provide funds for support of
the district?
Shall the Board of Directors of the Metro-North Fire Protection
District be authorized to levy an additional tax of not more than ten cents
on the one hundred dollars assessed valuation, the revenues from which shall
be deposited in a special fund and used only for the pension program of the
district?
[MV Comment: If
passed, this proposal potentially represents a tax increase of up to $100 on a
home that has an assessed value of $100,000.]
VALLEY
PARK FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT - PROPOSITION F
Shall the Board of Directors of the Valley Park Fire Protection
District of St. Louis County, Missouri be authorized to levy an additional
tax of not more than twenty-two cents ($.22) on the One Hundred Dollars of
assessed valuation to provide funds for support of the district?
[MV Comment: If
passed, this proposal potentially represents a tax increase of up to $220 on a
home that has an assessed value of $100,000.]
KIRKWOOD
LIBRARY DISTRICT - PROPOSITION K
Shall there be a tax increase of nine cents ($0.09) per one
hundred dollars assessed valuation over the present twenty-one cents ($0.21)
tax per one hundred dollars assessed valuation for the City of Kirkwood Municipal
Library District for the purpose of operating and maintaining a public library?
[MV Comment: If
passed, this proposal potentially represents a tax increase of up to $90 on a
home that has an assessed value of $100,000.]
Shall the City of Kirkwood Municipal Library District issue
its general obligation bonds in the amount of Sixteen Million Dollars
($16,000,000) for the purpose of constructing, furnishing and equipping a new
public library facility, including the acquisition of land necessary for
construction and/or related parking?
| St. Charles County Missouri Ballot Issues |
Shall the
Shall the School Board of the Wentzville R-IV School District,
St. Charles County, Missouri be authorized to increase the operating
tax levy by thirty-nine cents ($.39) per one hundred dollars ($100.00) of
assessed valuation for the purpose of paying general operating expenses of
the District, including educational programs, building expenses, school supplies,
teacher and non-teacher employee salaries and other operational items?
If this proposition is approved, the adjusted operating tax levy of
the District is estimated to be $3.95 per one hundred dollars ($100.00) of
assessed valuation.
[MV Comment: If
passed, this proposal potentially represents a tax increase of up to $390 on a
home that has an assessed value of $100,000.]
| Jefferson County Missouri Ballot Issues |
GRANDVIEW
R-II SCHOOL DISTRICT - PROPOSITION 1
Shall the Board of Education of the Grandview R-II School District,
Missouri, borrow money in the amount of One Million Five Hundred Thousand
Dollars ($1,500,000) for the purpose of providing funds for roof repairs; the
repair and installation of heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems;
installation of new windows and doors; technology upgrades; acquisition of new
buses; the completion of renovations to the kitchen including new freezers; the
repair and remodeling of restrooms; asphalt repaving of parking lots; for the
completion of other remodeling and repair improvements to the existing facilities
of the District; to fund future priority facility needs of the District; and
issue bonds for the payment thereof?
DUNKLIN
FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT - PROPOSITION IMPROVEMENT
Shall the Board of Directors of the Dunklin Fire Protection
District be authorized to levy an additional tax of not more than twenty five
cents ($.25) on the one hundred dollar ($100.00) assessed valuation, to provide
funds for the support of the District and the hiring of additional paid personnel?
If this Proposition is approved by the majority of the voters the Board of
Directors shall implement the additional tax rate at ($.15) fifteen cents
the first year and a rate of ($.05) five cents per year for the next two years
until said tax is complete.
[MV Comment: If
passed, this proposal potentially represents a tax increase of up to $150 the
first year, and potentially an additional $50 tax increase each year for the
next 2 years thereafter, for a total potential tax increase of up to $250 by
the end of the 3rd year on a home that has an assessed value of $100,000.]
DUNKLIN
FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT - PROPOSITION PENSION
Shall the Board of Directors of the Dunklin Fire Protection
District be authorized to levy an additional tax or not more than five cents
($.05) on the one hundred dollar ($100.00) assessed valuation, the revenues
from which shall be deposited in a special fund and used only for the pension
program of the district?
[MV Comment: If
passed, this proposal potentially represents a tax increase of up to $50 on a
home that has an assessed value of $100,000.]
SHADY
VALLEY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT - PROPOSITION HELP
To maintain fire protection services for the residents of
the Shady Valley Fire Protection District and, to provide for operating
expenses for a second fire station house and to provide additional paid
personnel, shall the Board of Directors of Shady Valley Fire Protection
District be authorized to levy an addition of .30 cents per $100.00 assessed
valuation, for a total levy of $1.34 on the $100.00 assessed valuation, with
said increase and taxes levied in .10 cent increments, no earlier than in the
following manner:
For the year 2005, .10 cents per $100.00 assessed valuation;
For the year 2006, .10 cents per $100.00 assessed valuation;
For the year 2007, .10 cents per $100.00 assessed for the general
levy.
[MV Comment: If
passed, this proposal potentially represents a tax increase of up to $300 at
the end of the 3 year period on a home that has an assessed value of $100,000.]
SHADY
VALLEY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT - PROPOSITION FIRE
To acquire additional real estate, construct and equip an additional fire station house, replace fire fighting vehicles and equipment, acquire furnishings for an additional fire station house, and for other related capitol expenditures thereto shall the Board of Directors of Shady Valley Protection District be authorized to issue general obligation bonds in the principal amount of up to One Million Eight Hundred Thousand Dollars? The authorization of the bond (the “Bonds”) will authorize the levy and collection of an annual tax in addition to the other taxes provided for by law on all taxable tangible property in the District sufficient to pay the interest and principal of the bonds as they fall due.
| Franklin County Missouri Ballot Issues |
Shall the school board of the Lonedell
R-XIV School District be authorized to increase the operating tax levy for
purposes of paying the increased costs associated with educational programs,
technology, utilities, building expenses and maintenance, school supplies,
staff compensation, and other operational needs by Sixty Nine cents ($0.69)
per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation? If this proposition is approved,
the adjusted operating levy of the school district is estimated to be Three
dollars and Ninety Nine cents ($3.99) per one hundred dollars of assessed
valuation.
[MV Comment: If
passed, this proposal potentially represents a tax increase of up to $690 on a
home that has an assessed value of $100,000.]
SULLIVAN FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT -
PROPOSITION F
Shall the Board of Directors of the Sullivan Fire Protection
District be authorized to levy an additional tax of not more than twenty-five
cents ($.25) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) assessed valuation to provide
funds for the support and development of the District, including for the employment
of certain full-time and part-time personnel and the acquisition of additional
fire fighting equipment?
[MV Comment: If
passed, this proposal potentially represents a tax increase of up to $250 on a
home that has an assessed value of $100,000.]
UNION FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT - PROPOSITION
A
Shall the Board of Directors of the Union Fire Protection District
of Franklin County, Missouri be authorized to levy an additional tax of not
more than thirty-nine cents ($.39) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) assessed
valuation to provide funds for the support and development of the District,
including for the employment of certain full-time and part-time personnel
and the acquisition of additional fire fighting equipment?
[MV Comment: If passed,
this proposal potentially represents a tax increase of up to $390 on a home
that has an assessed value of $100,000.]
| Lincoln County Missouri Ballot Issues |
Shall the board of directors of Lincoln County Fire Protection
District No. 1 be authorized to levy an additional tax of not more than twenty-five
cents on the one hundred dollars assessed valuation to provide funds for the
support of the district?
[MV Comment: If
passed, this proposal potentially represents a tax increase of up to $250 on a
home that has an assessed value of $100,000.]
Shall the Board of Education of the Elsberry R-II School District,
Missouri, be authorized to increase the operating tax levy ceiling by 25 cents
per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation for the purpose of meeting general
expenses?
[MV Comment: If
passed, this proposal potentially represents a tax increase of up to $250 on a
home that has an assessed value of $100,000.]
Shall the Board of Education of the Silex
R-1 School District, Missouri, be authorized to increase the operating tax
levy ceiling by $0.30 per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation for the
2004 Tax Year and will be applied to the assessed valuation for each year
thereafter?
[MV Comment: If
passed, this proposal potentially represents a tax increase of up to $300 on a
home that has an assessed value of $100,000.]
PUBLIC
WATER SUPPLY DISTRICT NO.
1 OF PIKE COUNTY, MISSOURI
Shall Public Water Supply District No. 1 of Pike County, Missouri, issue its sewerage system revenue bonds in the amount of $1,500,000 for the purpose of acquiring, constructing and equipping common sewer treatment facilities to serve properties within the District, the cost of operation and maintenance of said sewerage system and the principal of the interest on said revenue bonds to be payable solely from the revenues derived by the District from the operation of its sewerage system, including all future improvements and extensions thereto?