MC committee advances community center tax ordinances to Quorum Court

The Marion County Procedures and Management Committee voted Thursday to advance three ordinances tied to funding a proposed community center, clearing the measures for discussion at the December Quorum Court meeting.

The ordinances outline a pair of sales taxes including a permanent quarter cent tax and a temporary half cent tax to support construction, debt service and ongoing operation of the facility. The goal is to place the proposals before voters in the March primary.

County Judge Jason Stumph spoke at the beginning of the meeting, saying he wanted residents to decide the issue, noting he felt the project “should be able to be put on the ballot in March so that people have a vote.”

The committee reviewed the language of the three ordinances including a quarter-cent tax levy ordinance, which would dedicate funds to operating and maintaining the community center, paying debt service on project bonds, and general county purposes. The ordinance would only take effect if voters approve the tax.

An ordinance calling a special election on the quarter-cent tax and an ordinance calling a special election on issuing bonds for the project and levying a temporary half-cent tax to repay those bonds.

An attorney on hand answered several questions from justices regarding how the two taxes interact. Clarifying that the half-cent tax would be the primary source for bond repayment, while the quarter-cent tax could provide additional security if approved. If the quarter-cent tax fails but the half-cent tax passes, the county could still issue bonds, but the project scope may need to be scaled back, and no sales tax revenue would be available for ongoing operations.

After discussion, the committee voted to forward all three ordinances to the full Quorum Court. The court is expected to consider the measures at the December meeting of the court, the next step required to place the proposals on the March ballot.

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