COUNTY GOVERNMENT'S COMMON SENSE PAYS OFF FOR TAXPAYERS

It's human nature. We tend to take status quo for granted -- even when everyday accomplishments are actually quite extraordinary. Such is the case with Cape Girardeau County's general revenue property tax levy. It's zero. It's been zero for a dozen years. But repetition shouldn't diminish this remarkable feat. This zero property tax levy is due to sound financial management and a remarkable degree of self-control on behalf of the Cape Girardeau County Commission.

What do we mean by self-control?

Government at most levels is synonymous with spending. Too often that spending outpaces revenues, especially at the federal level. By law, the Cape Girardeau County commission has every right to levy a property tax of four to five cents. That would generate about $225,000 in additional revenue. But commissioners said they didn't need the money, so they didn't collect it.

Elected officials with fiscal self-control. What a better place our state and country would be if this concept would catch on.

In 1981, Cape Girardeau County voters enacted a half-cent sales tax for general revenue. By state law, half of the income from the sales tax must be used to roll back the property tax.

Since 1982, the county has "forgiven" more than $3 million in property taxes.

Cape Girardeau's growth as a retail hub has boosted sales tax revenues to about $3.3 million this year. It represents a considerable chunk of the total county budget of $5.75 million.

But the zero property levy is not just due to strong sales tax revenues. Sound fiscal management has been a cornerstone of county budgeting. Budget proposals proffered by various county offices are scrutinized and thoroughly discussed. Spending for spending's sake is simply not tolerated.

This lack of property tax revenue has not hurt county coffers. The current county administration building was paid for with cash a few years back. The county's "rainy day fund" has surpassed the $2 million mark. It's a record many other counties would gladly own.

The commission also voted last week to hold the road and bridge property tax levy steady at 23 cents for 1993. The county has stayed at that level for several years. By law, the commission could have set the rate at 35 cents without voter approval. Again, this represents fiscal common sense. The road and bridge budget encompasses $1.7 million in the county. The 23-cent tax generates about $400,000 of that budget.

Cape Girardeau County's zero property tax levy has been a point of pride for both county commissioners and other officeholders. And well it should be. Our county was one of the first in the state to roll back the levy to zero after implementing the sales tax, and few other counties can boast of such an accomplishment. Another source of future revenues for county commissioners could be that of consultants -- showing other local, state and even federal bureaucrats how sound financial management and common sense pay off for both government and taxpayers.