Missing: Fiscal Conservatism - If Found, Please Return to Hamilton County!
Admittedly it's been a while since I was in Sr. Marietta's math class, but someone PLEASE help me figure THIS ONE out!
There has been a big push in Hamilton County to build a Much Needed jail. I do agree that a new structure is needed and that responsible long term planning should also include staffing the facility.
Anytime a story or conversation comes up about the "Jail Tax" the focus is on the need for the structure. A need that most agree with. Here's the rub ...
According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, If Issue 27 is approved, the county sales tax would increase in 2008 from 6.5 percent to 7 percent for eight years. It would then drop to 6.75 percent for seven years, then revert to the original 6.5 percent.
The tax would generate more than $736 million and fund the safety plan for 30 years.
It would pay for construction of a $198 million, 1,800-bed jail in Camp Washington; new treatment and rehabilitation programs; an expanded juvenile detention center and juvenile programs; and expanded sheriff's patrols in Over-the-Rhine. Old, aging jail buildings would close with the exception of the main jail downtown.
WHOA - Hold your horses!!!
$736 million (Tax generated) - $198 million (construction costs) = $538 million
If the NEED is the physical structure, then WHY does OVER 70% of the tax revenue go somewhere else?!
A detailed breakdown of exactly where taxpayer dollars will be spent (specific line items, not a generic listing like $100 million on rehabilitation services) would go a LONG WAY to gaining support for this tax increase - assuming that after closer scrutiny it merits support.
There has been a big push in Hamilton County to build a Much Needed jail. I do agree that a new structure is needed and that responsible long term planning should also include staffing the facility.
Anytime a story or conversation comes up about the "Jail Tax" the focus is on the need for the structure. A need that most agree with. Here's the rub ...
According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, If Issue 27 is approved, the county sales tax would increase in 2008 from 6.5 percent to 7 percent for eight years. It would then drop to 6.75 percent for seven years, then revert to the original 6.5 percent.
The tax would generate more than $736 million and fund the safety plan for 30 years.
It would pay for construction of a $198 million, 1,800-bed jail in Camp Washington; new treatment and rehabilitation programs; an expanded juvenile detention center and juvenile programs; and expanded sheriff's patrols in Over-the-Rhine. Old, aging jail buildings would close with the exception of the main jail downtown.
WHOA - Hold your horses!!!
$736 million (Tax generated) - $198 million (construction costs) = $538 million
If the NEED is the physical structure, then WHY does OVER 70% of the tax revenue go somewhere else?!
A detailed breakdown of exactly where taxpayer dollars will be spent (specific line items, not a generic listing like $100 million on rehabilitation services) would go a LONG WAY to gaining support for this tax increase - assuming that after closer scrutiny it merits support.
posted by Scott @ 10:26 AM
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