Fire tax should be passed

I'm a tough sell when it comes to taxes, and I've publicly opposed local tax initiatives in the past. My guest commentary in opposition to the city and county use tax was published this past March in the Southeast Missourian. Not only am I quite skeptical when it comes to new taxes, I don't believe that just because a tax is up for renewal that it automatically qualifies to be extended. Taxes proposed for renewal should be scrutinized on two counts. One, were the tax dollars previously collected used wisely and as proposed originally? Two, is there a genuine ongoing need to continue the revenue generated from the tax?

I believe the proposed fire tax extension qualifies on both counts. A review of the record of the initial 10 years of the fire tax makes it clear that city government used these tax dollars as promised and it halted a seriously declining situation in public safety both in terms of fire and police services. Having seen the city's presentation on how this money will be spent going forward, I am convinced its extension is justified to both maintain the current levels of service and fund reasonable and necessary improvements. I hope you will join this tax proposal skeptic in voting yes to extend the fire tax.

MICHAEL BUCHANAN, Cape Girardeau