This morning I had the pleasure of speaking to the students at the Troy Holiness School about leadership. The Principal Kevin Weinand and I have been friends since childhood. I am sure the folks in the neighborhood where we grew up would be surprised to see that the two of us turned out all right.
A few items of interest that the Commission has been working on are below.
• On Sunday I attended the wake of Mrs. Betty Creech. I worked my way through college for Betty and her husband Charles. With her passing, Troy and Lincoln County has lost a true pillar of the community who impacted hundreds of lives, mine included.
• There has been renewed discussion regarding the collection of sales tax on the purchase of vehicles, trailers, boats, and outboard motors outside the state of Missouri. The County currently receives sales tax on these purchases, but this will not continue unless we obtain voter approval in 2018 to continue the practice. Tentative plans are for the County to put the measure on the ballot in November. Passage of the measure will keep the playing field level for local car dealers, particularly in areas such as ours that border other states, by preventing out-of-state dealers from capitalizing on this tax loophole. More information will be forthcoming.
• While we are on the subject of the dreaded “TAX” word, I think it is important to have an open dialogue on the effect that on-line merchandisers are having on local brick and mortar enterprises. The price of goods purchased locally is increased by the amount of local sales tax, putting them at a distinct disadvantage to the on-line retailers who, with limited exceptions, do not have to charge local sales tax. Similar to the measure mentioned above, the approval of a local use tax would, at least from a tax standpoint, give everyone an equal chance to earn your business. The folks doing business in our community not only provide opportunities to buy goods and services near home, but they also employ local people and support dozens of local activities such as youth sports, school groups, etc. As is the case with any issue, I want to do more research before I take a hard stand one way or the other, but my initial impression is that Lincoln County needs to seriously consider acting to support local business. Let me know what your opinion is.
That’s all I have time for now. As always, call, e-mail or stop by the Courthouse if you have questions. Until next week…
Dan Colbert
Presiding Commissioner
