Once again the sales/use tax question was put before the Kiowa County voters for their consideration.  The outcome was a huge disappointment for myself and the Board of Commissioners, as we completely understand what was at stake.  I must apologize to the citizens of Kiowa County as it is clear that I did not effectively communicate not only the need for these funds but also the enormous benefit that it would have been for all the residents of Kiowa County.  Absolutely there would have been a minimal cost to the people who live here but what good thing doesn't come with an investment?  A sales/use tax is the only method that would be available to gain revenue from people using our roads and services who are not property owners in Kiowa County.  Without considering the millions of dollars that we would have received from alternative energy development, last year a sales/use tax would have generated almost a half of a million dollars.  Having that each year would make a considerable difference in our ability to provide services.  Having the millions of dollars generated by a use tax from energy development in the county would have meant security for our future and the future of our children in Kiowa County.  The investment that could be made into our county infrastructure would be beneficial to "every resident" and all those visiting Kiowa County.

As we are now in the budget season, we will have to look at options to continue providing services to our constituency.  As you may recall in 2021 when we had a failed attempt to pass a sales/use tax, we had to make some fairly drastic changes.  We started charging for services that used to be free.  We cut employee hours and positions.  We all feel the effects of inflation and a poor economy.  It is no different for local government than it is for the general public.  We have goods to purchase to be able to provide required services, unfunded mandates from the State, we are losing our employees as we are not able to offer a competitive wage.  As an individual, I can sell something, get a second job, borrow money, and other options, but for the government, we are at the mercy of the taxpayers.  I guess if we want the services in Kiowa County such as landfill, law enforcement, road maintenance, access to court, title work, voting and drivers licensing, emergency assistance when a disaster happens, public health services such as vaccinations other free services, Social Services to assist those less fortunate and aid children and elderly with protection of basic human rights, we must invest in our community.  How do we choose what not to provide?  With ever changing regulations and requirements, each office is continually being given more duties and responsibilities but we don't have adequate funding to provide more wages or additional help.

We do have the prospect for new development in the county but it will likely be five years or more before we see significant tax revenue from those.  Our impact fees are at risk and our infrastructure is not even close to where it needs to be to be able to serve our residents along with the influx of construction activity and workers that is coming.  Keep in mind that "Impact Fees"  can only apply to costs directly due to alternative energy development, a "sales/use tax" can be used for anything the county needs it for.  Until we change our perspective from "paying taxes" to "investing in our community", we will likely lose what little we already have. Please think about what your taxes pay for; law enforcement, schools, hospital and emergency services, economic development, and many other important services you must have.  When you see changes in the services we provide or the quality of those services, please keep in mind we are doing the best we can with what we have. There is not an endless source of funding for us as individuals and certainly not for us as local government.  What we have, we pay for; what we want, we invest in.  

Tina Adamson, Kiowa County Administrator