Sales tax better than property tax
I am writing this letter to voice my opinion on the recent issue of a sales tax referendum.
As a city property owner, I personally would like to see everyone who uses our services and participates in our programs be offered the opportunity to share in the cost of these services.
Property taxes are very simply what the name implies. Only property owners share the tax.
Sales taxes are very simply what the name implies. If someone buys a product or a service, they share the tax.
There are 5,495 city property owners in the city limits of McMinnville who share the city property taxes.
A total of 36,565 people reside in Warren County with more than 100,000 visitors annually who share a sales tax from purchasing a product or service such as gasoline, food, motel rooms, plants, etc. (these figures come from Chamber of Commerce information and Rock Island State Park visitor figures).
A rational assumption would be that 36,565 people could more easily afford to pay for the needs of the community than 5,495 people.
It took me less than five minutes and three phone calls to find these figures and facts. We as community members MUST get involved in these matters in the future when we decide issues such as tax referendums, school issues and especially elected officials.
Rickey Minton
City and county taxpayer
Westbrook Lane
McMinnville