Sales Tax Passed For Schools Under fire
September 11, 2014
Sales Tax Passed For Schools Under fire
According to sources the Harnett County Board of Education is requesting funding from the sales tax increase that was voted in by taxpayers. In a list presented the school board is requesting the following items
Debt service for 2002 Energy Performance contract — $147,751
• Safety and security — $475,000
• Technology equipment — $150,248.
• Replacement of doors at Harnett Central High School — $135,000
• Roofing repair at Benhaven Elementary School — $50,000
• Roofing repair at Erwin Elementary School — $30,000
• Custodial equipment, chippers, mowers, scrubbers and similar items — $50,000
• Maintenance equipment, gate access and backhoe — $62,000
• Replacement of rusted downspouts and guttering at Dunn Middle School — $30,000
Social Media has been burning up today with taxpayers complaining that the funds were approved for the construction of new schools. In some cases people are saying that the money was not for a wish list and were told by commissioners that the money would be used for the construction when they fought to get it on the ballot. During the time of the proposal of the sales tax many of the commissioners explained that the money would go toward building new schools but it would also be used for improvement projects. There was rumor during that time that one Commissioner was telling people that if they voted for the sales tax that they could avoid the risk of their property tax increasing. Although this was told the property tax was increased during this budget year.
Many taxpayers have made it clear that they are not happy with this outcome; Build Harnett Forward is calling on its members to show up in numbers at the next county meeting to show their disapproval of these actions. Commissioner Gary House posted this on his Facebook page “When I made the proposal to create a capital reserve fund to place the newly created 1/4 cent sales tax collections in, I made certain that those funds would be placed in this fund held in the County of Harnett’s name and would only be dispersed to the school board by their request and with the approval of the County Board for construction, renovation, and improvement projects. The School Board was sent a copy of that resolution yesterday. I would expect that they would remove items from the list of priorities that do not qualify. If they do not and my fellow commissioners do not abide by the conditions of the resolution, throw as many stones as your arm can handle.”
