This Concludes the Series “Need to Know before the May 5th Primary”
And if you haven’t already, please be sure to vote in the May 5th Primary!
When Revenue Is Left on the Table
When a potential $500,000/year revenue source isn’t adopted, the need doesn’t go away. It usually shows up somewhere else:
- Higher taxes on residents
- Pressure on county budgets
- Limits on wages and services
At the same time:
- Residents are already contributing through property taxes and wheel taxes
So, the question becomes, how should the responsibility for funding the county be shared?
Between:
- Residents
- Businesses
- Industry
Conclusion: Looking at the Full Picture Before the Primary
Over the past few days, we’ve looked at:
- Campaign finance reports for Austin Brooks and Randy Bales
- Differences in how their campaigns are funded
- A $500,000 mineral tax proposal
- How revenue decisions affect residents
Here’s what the public record shows:
- The two candidates are supported by different funding structures
- They made different decisions on a key revenue vote
- Those decisions affect how the county raises money
This isn’t about telling anyone how to vote. It’s about making sure voters have:
- Clear information
- Publicly documented facts
- A fuller picture before Election Day
The Campaign reports are public.
The Commission votes are public.
And they’re worth understanding
Thank you.
Link to campaign finances: