I'd like to share my thoughts with you regarding last week's proposal for an Occupational Tax vote. First of all, this meeting was supposed to be a "bills only" meeting, and both the tax and ABC Administrator pay should have never been brought up, much less voted on.

I voted, "no" because I don't think 0.25% is enough to get us out of the financial shape we are in due to years and years of cuts, closures, and losing trained people to other counties who are paying better wages than we can afford to pay. And, now those trained people are paying an occupational tax to the county they are driving to so they can work for a wage that they think is fair and makes life better for them and their families.

Secondly, I have been accused of not wanting to compromise. This whole tax talk started with a magistrate asking me to provide them with what I thought we needed for Adair County, so that we could prosper and even make up for some lost time and years of neglect in several areas. So, I provided my thoughts, based on a whole 2 months in office...it was not a proposal. I was hoping that what I provided would be met with comments like, "What if we only did THIS much here? I think we need more HERE and not so much THERE. Do we really need THIS?" Instead, it was criticized, and I was ridiculed. So, I tried starting the conversation about a potential source of revenue and begged for input... for discussion... for ideas.

I was hoping for a team of people discussing real issues and real solutions for our community, but it quickly turned to what feels like a political paintball.

I will compromise. But, if we only put on 0.25%, we are just putting a band-aid on a wound that needs stitches. To put this in perspective, 0.25% is $1 out of $400; 0.5% is $2 out of $400, and 1% is $4 out of $400 - less than a combo meal at any drive-thru.

After being stitched for a while, eventually, the stitches come out. That's why I'd like to start with a healing dose of revenue to keep our trained employees, especially in our county emergency service departments - Sheriff's Department, 911 Center, and Jail, namely. Let's get a few grants to better our roads even further than the State money goes. Let's continue to improve the Jim Blair Center & park area.

Let's explore the possibility of land that could host a carnival and other tourist destinations that generate revenue for our community as a whole. The possibilities for the betterment of our County are vast when we have a little money, work together and spend wisely. Then, let's evaluate the rate in 2 years and decide what we need just to maintain wages and care for our employees, at a minimum.

Also, I'm fine with providing 100% health insurance for our employees as part of the compromise. But I would have to ask, "Why doesn't the county just assume the increase in health insurance premiums each year, so that the employees don't "take a pay cut every July"? What kind of incentive plan can we offer to try to RETAIN our employees? If they really want 100% health insurance, can those costs be justified by taking the 4% non-compensating rate on our property taxes next year?" According to the PVA, taking the non-compensating rate next year would bring in about $38,000 in additional revenue. The cost of covering the health insurance would be about $48,000.

Keep in mind, the majority of the court knew about the proposal that was being presented last Tuesday. They each had a chance to discuss it amongst themselves and get a plan together. I was not informed about what was being presented. I didn't get a chance to think about it and be ready to offer a "compromise" at the meeting. This decision is too big for quick reactions and deserves thoughtful consideration - especially from the guy in the top office of the County.

Regardless of the picture that is being painted by a few, it is not me that has delayed wages, benefits, and progress for our county. As pointed out, I have only had a voice here for 5 months. If this revenue issue had been addressed 4-6 years ago, as recommended by the auditor, we wouldn't be in this situation at all. And if this situation is so urgent, why have I been the only one on the court pushing for additional revenue up until a week ago?

I WILL COMPROMISE. I just won't give up pushing for "stitches".