Guest commentary: Why I support a use tax in Cape Girardeau County

A tax is a tax is a tax. There, I have said it. I cannot deny it. I have had the unique opportunity for the past year to be a member of a Citizens Advisory Committee charged by the county commission to do a needs assessment for county buildings.

Our mission was to do a determination on consolidation of county office facilities and to relocate all court functions to the county seat. Through tours and periodic meetings, we did a thorough and comprehensive study of present facilities to determine the best possible course of action.

Currently, the county is served by two court facilities. One was built in 1854, the other in 1908. In their current state, they have both probably outlived their functional usefulness.

The 1854 Common Pleas Courthouse has no elevator, is not handicap accessible (non-ADA compliant), inadequate restrooms, no safe emergency egress, dangerous mold conditions in the cellar, and the building is impossible to cable for modern communication devices. The county courthouse has a jerry-rigged elevator, inadequate security and safety procedures. Both buildings are crammed to the seams with offices and records. There is no more room to expand.

We were given three options to consider by the architect. On Jan. 26 we presented our findings to the county commission. We had chosen the architect's Option "C," not the least expensive, not the most. It was the middle ground. In order to identify a funding source, the county commission decided on a use tax to pay for the project. Incidentally, Perry and Bollinger counties have a use tax now.

The commissioners felt that a use tax would have the least impact on taxpayers. It calls for a 1 percent tax on automobiles, boats, RVs, etc., and goods costing over $2,000 purchased out of state. Property taxes would burden property owners excessively, and we are reaching a dangerous "tipping point" on sales tax.

If you are not going to purchase any big ticket items out of state, there is little or no impact on you. With the use tax revenue, a new justice center would be built in Jackson with all court procedures housed there. The county administrative offices would relocate there. The county clerk, assessor and collector would maintain a store-front presence in Cape Girardeau. The county courthouse would be renovated and preserved, and the Common Pleas would not have county offices, but it will never see the wrecking ball.

This is a first class county that deserves first class county facilities. I urge you to vote for the use tax that will only be dedicated to this project on April 7. I will be glad to discuss this project with any individual or group.

We need to move Cape Girardeau County into the 21st century.

James C. Roche is a resident of Cape Girardeau County and a political activist.