During a meeting on August 19, members of the Develop Saline County Advisory Board asked multiple questions about the distribution of funds they were due this year from the Economic Development half-cent sales tax that voters approved in April 2018 and were first distributed in October 2019.
The board met again to discuss it more on Thursday, September 3, with Joey McLiney outlining the specifics of the bond issue.
Multiple questions were asked again, and Slater Mayor Dr. Stephen Allegri surmised the way the money is now proposed to be distributed is not what was agreed to at the beginning.
The Commission wants to hold back money to pay cash for part of the project, which will potentially save the county money in the long run. Sweet Springs Alderman Boyd Jones says he understands, but that was not what was agreed upon at the beginning, and could turn off voters for future bond issues.
The By-Laws of the board say: The board of trustees shall reserve and provide adequate funds for the annual debt service on the obligation of debt incurred for any and all infrastructure necessary for the I-70 and Highway 65 Junction (Marshall Junction) project. All other sales-tax funds shall be distributed to the following governmental entities: Arrow Rock- 20 percent; Marshall- 20 percent; Slater- 20 percent; Sweet Springs- 20 percent; and Saline County- 20 percent. Saline County’s allocation shall provide funding for the projects from all other county communities.
The commission cut each governmental entity a $100,000 check for projects last year.
At the end of this meeting, the board voted to allow the commission to hold back 10 percent of the funds instead of the original 25 percent McLiney talked about. It was also decided the five entities could receive as much as $163,000 each, but could receive less money in future years due to unexpected costs for the necessary projects. However, no decision was made at this time.
The board will meet again at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, October 7, to discuss it more.
Photo: Slater City Administrator Gene Griffith (left) makes a point during the meeting. Others pictured are Joey McLiney and Marshall City Administrator David Haugland.