A recall on the 3.7 cent tax initiated by the hospital district will not stop the sell of Westlake.
A recall is part of our democratic process and one we should all appreciate. The legislation that protects us from any government entity slapping on a huge tax without our permission is the same law that is in place here. It’s a good law.
No, it’s a great law.
With that said, we all know there is no good end to this story. As the letter from the Attorney General’s office clarifies, the debt of the hospital district must be paid, and if the district doesn’t have the revenue to pay it, then we get to foot the bill.
So, the worse-case scenario is that taxpayers refuse to pay the tax and the banks that loaned the hospital millions of dollars will have to go to court and ask a judge to force a tax on taxpayers. The judge would have the authority to set the rate and could even go beyond the 10-cent limit set for taxing districts should he or she so choose.
But, it wouldn’t have to happen that way. If the current tax is recalled, the hospital district could come back and ask for another one. To get one passed, they would have to educate taxpayers…
To read more, get this week’s issue of the Adair County Community Voice. Newspapers are in racks throughout the county this afternoon and in mailboxes Thursday.
By Sharon Burton
snburton@duo-county.com
