County Needs to Reestablish Relationship with Citizens, Build the trust needed to get a tax increase

Once again the trash tax was not voted into place at the Board of Supervisors meeting. The real question that has to be ask; does the BOS really understand its constituents and their needs or does it try to dictate the betterment of their lives, based on what they feel is best. Don't get me wrong, this county needs to pass a tax to close the budget gap it has, but this tax has to be done in a wise way and the money has to be used to take care of the counties needs, not its wants. I think I am safe in saying that the county needs revenue, the citizens get more than any other county around without paying the extra for it. A couple of things needs to be understood before we move forward and raise any taxes. First the spending of the county needs to be brought into check, see other articles on this page to understand this. We cannot have waste in the budget and then ask the citizens to close that gap. Mr. Peters recently ask David Moore to audit the school system and Mr. Moore said it was not a good idea, it was too expensive. Why? No matter the cost if the gaps are closed it would more than pay for the audit. The BOS also needs to make all of its expenses public. If they go on a trip or make a purchase, have that information available for public viewing at the next meeting. If you are ashamed of what you approve, do not approve it. Once the spending is under control and the residents gain faith in the board, then they can ask for a new tax, one that the people decide on. I know they tried a couple of times to pass a food tax on the ballot and it failed, well maybe the wrong approach was taken. Simply put, tell the voters we are placing a food tax on the ballot, which will only minimally affect all of you, but will also tax outsiders. If this tax does not pass we will then be forced to pass a trash tax.