A potential ballot issue this year was the focus of much discussion Tuesday night by the Manhattan City Commission.
The half-cent economic development sales tax is up for renewal, and City staff presented a proposal to begin the discussion, which called for greater Commission control as to how the proceeds from the tax are spent.
The proposal shown Tuesday allows for some Commission decision power on how to utilize the tax money. Commissioner Wynn Butler reached out to his constituents, and brought their concerns in.
“I like the idea of the flexibility,” he said. “But a number of folks have said the makeup of the commission will change over the ten years of the life of the tax.”
Matta also was a fan of the flexibility in the plan.
“We could have something that comes up that could change the complexion of things,” he told fellow commissioners. “The levy or the economy goes south and we really need the money for other things. Or another good thing like NBAF happens and we want to use it that way.”
Commissioner Rich Jankovich wanted to avoid strict regulations.
“I think the longer we handcuff ourselves, the less ability we have to react to whatever situation we have,” he said.
No action was taken Tuesday night. City staff will bring a reworked proposal back to the commission at a later date incorporating their suggestions.
