Yes on sales tax
Letter to the editor of the Topeka Capital-Journal
The naysayers are out again. They don’t want Topeka to pass the proposed sales tax to fix our streets. Much of the opposition seems to be coming from people who do not even live in the city.
We should all be working together to take responsibility for a problem that won’t go away until we do something about it.
If Topeka continues to deteriorate, we all lose.
As a lifetime Topekan, I believe that it is past time to fix the streets. The problem is getting worse, and will cost us more if we continue to put it off. I don’t like a tax increase of any kind, but we would be foolish not to pass this now. The alternative is further decay and more cost. I do not want a property tax increase, and the sales tax will let people outside Topeka who use our streets share in the cost.
I did the math on the proposed half-cent tax increase and it is only pennies a week. This is affordable and a good investment in our future. This sales tax is only for 10 years, while a property tax increase would never go away. No matter what the politicians who are trying to get elected are saying, we will have to pay for this one way or another.
Fixing our streets will result in safer streets. The economic benefits of the jobs created for the repair work will have a positive impact on Topeka and the surrounding area and will make Topeka more attractive to private investments that bring jobs to Topeka.
We all know the saying, pay now or pay more later. I, for one, do not want to pay more later. I am voting yes to fix the streets now.
DON COOPER, Topeka
Where are the funds that are usually set aside or bugeted each year for Street Repair?
Probebly spent on the Roundabouts that in some cases unnecessary, in my opinion.
I don’t think we need more taxes, it just drives people to the county.
Ken
State or federal money is set aside specifically for the construction of roundabouts - which make traffic safer. It would be great if we could use this money for immediate repairs, but the roundabouts will help in the long run!
The City’s street maintenance and repair activities are funded by the Special City and County Highway Fund (motor fuel tax), which have averaged $5.3 million for the past few years. Most of the major street projects have multiple funding sources: special assessments, state transportation funds, trafficway improvement funds, ½ county wide sales tax proceeds and general obligation bonds which are which are repaid by the City’s general fund (property and city sales taxes).
Bridge maintenance and repair also receives general fund support in the amount of about $330,000 annually.
What happened to the last sales tax increase? We already increased taxes for this reason. Seems like it went to wasteful spending. Why does the form of government still have a mayor? I thought we went to a city manager form of government to get rid of the mayor. The City of Topeka needs to figure out how to fix streets without tax increases. I hope people vote “NO” on this.
Heath,
The 2004 sales tax increase has been paying, and will pay for economic development, bridges, and roads.
(http://www.topekachamber.org/living_topeka/topeka_kansas_facts_history/history.php)
Our city government also has a City Manager now, who is very effective. However, Mr. Bunten is still an asset to Topeka.
75% of our streets are in disrepair, and there is no money in the budget that can be cut that won’t negatively affect an aspect of the community. We need this increase now, or we’ll be much worse off in the future.
(http://www.fixtopekastreets.com/PDFs/TopekaBudget.pdf)
I knew someone who worked on a Topeka road crew to fix the pot holes about two years ago, he told me stories of how the guys did not much of anything and wasted a lot of time. A few pot hole fillers could have done most of the work in the close vicinity of Topeka I bet in a few days work a lot could be done , and does not cost that much to at least throw the stuff in the holes , it disintegrates after time, but I dont even see a crew out, and I would not doubt it was on purpose. There is horrible leadership to get things done, it does not cost that much to pay three guys in one truck to get around and fill the things. Sure,, theres more to be done, but when is the last time I saw a truck to fill the holes over on my side of Topeka, and most of the time last year they would just keep on driving around not doing much. TAX increase for it is ridiculous. The government is already sending Kansas money for the streets. It is a scam to ask for a tax increase when Kansas is going to receive or already has received the money. If they can not manage their money to fix the streets and make them driveable… then they need to be replaced in their jobs to someone who can manage it better. Who is in charge here., BOZO? Or some lazy theif.
I am not a resident of Topeka, however I did grow up in Topeka and do nearly all my business in Topeka and I am very much in favor of the sales tax being added. I would gladly pay an additional 1/2 cent tax to be able to drive on streets that are not destroying the alignment of my car. I cannot believe that the residents of our fair capital would be against the tax with the tax being a sales tax everyone who is using the streets will be paying for them not just the few that actually own property in Topeka. As far as the tax only driving people to the county, if my memory of where the city limits signs are posted most retail businesses are within the city and therefore would not affect which stores they went to, in order to avoid the extra tax they would have to go to another town, NOT convienient for the most part will not happen.
Let me start by saying the streets are nothing like they were last year. Last year driving down the street was like playing a video game-dodging pot holes while trying to miss obstacles (cars, pedestrians, etc.)That being said, I just have one question-Haven’t we been paying taxes for the streets all along? What makes this year any different-it’s not because the streets are any worse than they ever have been, we even had a mild winter this year. I honestly haven’t noticed that many potholes this year, and as I already stated, last year was horrible!I was always complaining, and in fact knocked off a hubcap when I hit one I couldn’t avoid without having a head-on collision. I just think we already pay enough taxes, and want to know what they have been doing with all the money we’ve already paid them to fix our roads.
My question is how much sales tax is enough? If the sales tax increases it will bring the sales tax to 7.95% if my calculations are correct. I voted for the sales tax increases for the airport and the library; will those sales taxes ever expire? When I was a kid the sales tax was around 3% for many years. What has happened where the percentage that we pay for goods needs to keep going up just to maintain what we already have?
How do other communities do it? How does Oregon do it with no sales taxes at all? The city council always seems to be in disagreement with each other how do I know the money will be spent wisely?
And lastly who is paying for the “Vote Yes” campaign. I know of at least one person that is being paid an hourly wage to go door to door for the campaign. Where is this money coming from?
I’m against raising taxes to fix the streets. The city could come up with another alternative like the stimulus package to pay for the repair of our streets.
Sick of the Lies:
If memory serves me right, I believe there was a median constructed along the Wanamaker corridor last year. While the businesses would have been aware of this had they bothered to keep up with city and county affairs, they had ample time to argue the issue prior to construction. But NO, they must not have seen the construction while in progress), but after it’s completion, the raise H and the city comes in are removes it and replaces it back to previous condition. Now where on earth did they find the funds (not budged) to tear out and replace those medians. The money is there, make no mistake about it.
J,
The median project had an $80,000 budget, whereas more than $6 million is needed each year just for “existing street maintenance.” Please read this page for complete details about the project: http://www.fixtopekastreets.com/?p=152
If you’re not convinced, have a look at the City’s budget for 2009, and see if you can find any holes: http://www.fixtopekastreets.com/PDFs/TopekaBudget.pdf
The city can’t afford to keep up with repairs - but we need to fix the streets.
Unfortunately, the city will get very little, if any, money from the stimulus package. We’ll have to create our own “stimulus package” - and this is a great way to do it. Out-of-towners will help contribute to the cost of maintenance and repair.
Tom,
The money will have to come from somewhere. If not sales tax, probably property tax. The city cannot afford to keep up with repairs at current revenues. Have a look at the city’s budget and sources of funding here: http://www.fixtopekastreets.com/PDFs/TopekaBudget.pdf
The resolution states that the money is to be used for maintenance and improvements of existing City streets, gutters, curbs, sidewalks, alleys and street lighting. Read the full text here: http://www.fixtopekastreets.com/?p=17 The framers made sure that the initiative would be clear and focused - it cannot be used for anything else.
The Committee to Fix Our Streets is funded by a variety of private Topeka donors - individuals and businesses who are concerned about the quality of our streets.
I am not too excited about paying more taxes but other communities are doing the same thing as Topeka. Several communities in Johnson County and Lawrence raised their sales taxes in a vote last November to fix their streets. Those increases go into effect tomorrow. As a community we need to take responsibility for keeping our infrastructure in good shape. Costs go up the longer we wait and I am tired of dodging the cracks and potholes all over town. I am not sure where some of you drive but I am watchful everywhere I drive. During the evening hours I have hit some really bad ones because you can’t see them. Another half-cent on a dollar purchase is not that much to get our city in better shape. I am embarassed when I drive persons from out of town around the city or have visitors. It never fails they ask about our streets. I hope everyone votes YES to get our town back into shape.
you can ask someone else for the tax hike, They just hit me on tobacco products so go to the boozers to get some funding. Groceries and other necessities are already priced beyond a lot of peoples means. Not to mention the fact that there a quite a few without work. Not a good time for more taxation. For those of you in favor of extra taxes who have a tidy income you take the brundt of it, leave the rest of us lower income folks out of it.
Our streets are in terrible condition, and they’re only going to get worse if we don’t all band together and do something about it. It’s not a problem we can ignore or pass on to our neighbors. It’s in front of our homes and on our way to work or the store. And if the ballot initiative passes, then people who pass through Topeka, and use our streets and sidewalks, will help pay for them.
If they fix anything at least do it right. For an idea of how Shawnee county ignores problems take a drive south on Topeka BLVD to around 85th then head back north, when you get to around the 8200 block look at the right(east) shoulder where the ground is all wet. It is very close to the entrance to Bettis asphalt and directly across form the lindyspring water billboard that has half blown down.. There is what looks like a water line break and road is sinking and always wet… worst part is I have reported it 3 times in over 1 1/2 years… that’s right over a year and no fixing it.. the grass is taller and greener in the summer, always wet and muddy but the county does not even notice. There is always ice in the winter even with no precipitation. They even just recently went and put fresh blacktop in the pothole that has formed… and the hole was full of water at the time.. So if we fix our street I hope they can do it right the first time.
I have seen absolutely no commitment that the money raised will indeed be used to repair the streets. We’ve had previous taxes added for that purpose, and obviously the commission has other plans for most of the money’s use! Unless there is a firm pledge as to the tax mony’s use only for street repairs I will vote NO!
The commitment is in the question itself. If passed, all money raised will be legally restricted for use on existing City streets, gutters, curbs, sidewalks, alleys and street lighting. Read the full text here: http://www.fixtopekastreets.com/?p=17
do we trust the city with our money to fix streets. Are we still paying for the turnpike way beyound what we were promised. This money should already be in our budgets. Take some of the 12 full time guys in code complience and put them on the street crew. We should be able to fix streets without raising more tax. If the city is hurting start laying off employees like a business has to do and quit raising taxes disguised as improving our streets.
I would pay an extra 1/2% increase in sales tax to fix our streets if we know for a fact that the money generated is put to repairing the streets ONLY!!!!! I think we need to have people on the city council, the city manager, and all city policymakers put their authority to better management of all the city employees. Our city is the capital of Kansas, so let’s put all the money for our programs and committees to the appropriate place and monitor each ones management to ensure they are all needed and are doing what they are supposed to be doing. In other words, clean up all the waste and put it to good use.
I thought this was interesting to share
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eeGAD7PL4U
I think your property taxes should be paying for this not all of us. I live out of town, and I don’t want to come shopping in Topeka and pay extra taxes to fix your streets! You all don’t pay to fix mine!
What has happened to the money that is usually used to fix streets??? I know most towns have a allowence for street repair, just because Topeka officials have misused these funds doesn’t mean the out of town visitors should pay.
What you are going to accomplish, besides getting your streets fixed is your going to loose people comming to shop and etc.
Next time you make a commercial about Topeka make sure you add “come enjoy our town, shop, go to the zoo, watch a show, pay extra for all of it so we can fix our streets”! What an awsome commercial!
ok, i’ve read enough. Admin: Why should us “out of towners” have to fix your streets?????
Us “out of towners” pay to have our own streets fixed.
If you drive on our streets, you’re adding to wear and tear and maintenance costs. It’s nothing personal, we’re just being fair!
I am so strongly against this increase, but I feel like I’m being threatened into voting for it with the possibility of higher property taxes if I don’t. Its insane that we have such high taxes and can’t seem to elect anyone who can decently manage OUR money. I’m not convinced local government is being honest with Topeka citizens.
We can’t let the streets crumble. Who’s going to fix them if the voters don’t take initiative? The city doesn’t have the money. We could cut TPAC and social services from the budget, and it still wouldn’t be enough. We need more than $10 Million a year for streets, sidewalks, curbs, gutters, alleys, and street lighting. There used to be more funds available for such repairs, but they’ve since dried up.
We have extremely low property taxes, and even after an increase, we would still have a lower sales tax rate than many Kansas cities.