Boone County Government seeks money from sacred sources?

County Board considers using Maple Crest Memorial funds and a “new” sales tax referendum.  See Cathy Ward’s Facebook postings for details.

Cathy Ward

3 hrs ·

BOONE COUNTY NEWS - Maple Crest Memorials safe for now! Board Chair Karl Johnson last night (Wednesday) quickly moved the plan to use Maple Crest Memorial funds for seed money to a community board back to committee for further review. No vote was taken on the proposed plan - yet. I thank Karl and all of you who responded so quickly to the plan to transfer (raid) these memorials which total about $131,000. I did not hear any support for it except from a few board members. I had called Karl the day after three Admin Committee members approved the plan to express my staunch disapproval. Karl said he had no knowledge of this idea prior to the committee vote. He has never showed any support for this option. However, I am also convinced that your many, many comments on facebook (and in the community) in opposition played a huge part in this move. I am meeting today with the Maple Crest Auxiliary to hear their ideas for these memorials. Many auxiliary members did not know the county had been holding these funds and have for at least a decade. I am relieved by the new review, but I will watch closely to see what happens at the next Adm meeting and share it with you.

.....Also, the board voted to once again to use about $1.3 million of public safety sales tax money to balance the budget. I again voted no. I still don't believe you taxpayers had this in mind when you approved building the new jail. So far, about $22 million has been collected for the jail that cost $9 million. All other jail costs were supposed to be paid from our general fund. While it might be legal, it was not the promise that was made when the referendum was passed about 20 years ago. Other board members argued that we need the money for public safety and other county needs. I have heard that the whole legality of these transfers is being reviewed.

The board also expressed strong support for trying again to pass another public safety sales tax. If approved that would double the amount collect, about $1.3 million more for county coffers each year. The last attempt was defeated last spring. It has been tried three times and failed each time, but supporters say it is getting closer to passing. More to come on that.