Put half-cent county tax on ballot

Palm Coast Observer
Opinion

County officials have said it’s imperative to expand the outdated, dangerously overcrowded jail. They have also said they need extra sales tax revenue to pay for the expansion.

For the sake of argument, let’s agree to those premises and examine the two most likely options facing the County Commissioners: They can vote to put the half-cent tax on the ballot and let the residents decide, or the commissioners can vote for an equivalent tax by themselves to pay for the jail.

This week, the commissioners speculated that the residents likely will not vote to extend the current half-cent sales tax, if it were to be put on the ballot. (Remember, the School Board’s half-cent sales tax is already on the August primary ballot.)

But if the residents hypothetically vote against the half-cent jail-expansion tax, the commissioners would still feel a responsibility to expand the jail and might be forced to add their own half-cent regardless after the election. That, as Commissioner George Hanns put it, is a “quandary.”

What is the responsibility of elected officials? Should they vote based on the needs of the community (jail expansion), or should they vote based on the desires of the people (no new taxes)?

Normally, I would say that elected officials need to do what the community needs and not be swayed by small groups of vocal residents. However, we don’t need to rely on a small sampling of residents this time. It’s a special case in which a tax that was voted in by the residents is set to expire, and it coincides with a national election that will elicit a big turnout. The residents should have the right to continue the tax or end it. The commissioners need to put it on the ballot.

If the residents vote it down and decide not to continue the tax in November, the commissioners will still have the chance to make their case to educate the people and persuade them that the jail expansion is essential. Then, they can add their own half-cent after the election. That might not be a pleasant prospect, but it is what needs to be done.

CREATIVE CAMPAIGNS: PART II
In response to my last column about the John Pollinger airplane flying up and down the beach on July Fourth, I received this email and photo. Bob Atack (Craig Atack’s brother) pointed out that Don Appignani also hired a plane. Then, he wrote:

“In a country where so few of the eligible voters actually exercise their right to vote, it’s good to see that the local candidates are doing their best to get citizens involved.

“Although both of those candidates get points for creativity, I think Craig Atack deserves some recognition for his originality (I’m not biased ... at all). Ferd Neves, an Atack for Judge supporter, spent his Fourth of July paddle-boarding a campaign sign up and down Flagler Beach, except for those moments when the waves were too righteous not to ride. Thought you would enjoy the attached photo.”