Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Will Rogers County follow Delaware County?


Rogers County commissioners are awaiting legal counsel on how to proceed in paying a $22 million judgement to Materials Services Inc.


Commissioners contracted with a Tulsa law firm as well as a local firm to study and give them recommendations on what will be the best course of action.


Should it be increase property taxes or sales taxes to generate the $22 million?


Following a vote in Delaware County on Tuesday, commissioners might have some idea how they might proceed.




Delaware County commissioners found them in similar predicament after having to deal with a $13 million judgement against their sheriff's department. They presented voters with an increase sales tax dedicated to repay the judgment.


Vote approved the increase in sales tax for a 17-year period over a 3-year property tax.


More than 7,000 people voted for the increase with only 515 against it.


In Delaware County, residents organized meetings throughout the past year to discuss ways to pay the settlement.  The sales tax increase will go into effect in July.


So, will Rogers County commissioners seek the public's feedback?  Or will they let the Tulsa law firm decide for them.


Commissioners need to hear from Rogers County residents as how to proceed. 


Mike Helm, Dan DeLozier and Kirt Thacker need to hear from county residents. At least that is who put them in office, not a Tulsa law firm.


Isn't time Rogers County residents decided how the bungled lawsuit with Material Services repaid. Since the former Rogers County officials can't be held responsible for the $22 million, but if commissioners do not include residents in the decision making process, Helm, DeLozier and Thacker will be held responsible when it come election time, maybe even sooner.

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