SCOTT CO. SEEKS TAX FOR SENIOR SERVICES

Scott County voters will decide Nov. 3 whether to adopt a tax to fund services for senior citizens. A proposal for a 5-cent tax on each $100 of assessed valuation will appear on the general election ballot. The Scott County Commission agreed last week to place the measure before voters after meeting with representatives of senior-citizens groups.

The tax would generate approximately $150,000 annually, said Presiding Commissioner Bob Kielhofner. "We discussed it at length for an hour and a half," said Kielhofner. "The ladies showed a need for equipment, vehicles and lots of other things needed to run these various programs. I saw that there was a great need and was happy to vote on it for the November ballot."

Three senior-citizen groups were represented at the commission meeting. Included were Tina McDowell, administrator of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, Jolene Walker of the Foster Grandparent Program and Marilyn Schlosser, project manager for Scott County Transit.

Following similar appeals from senior-citizen leaders, Cape Girardeau County voters were asked to approve a similar measure a few years back. A strong case was made, and voters passed it easily. Most observers would probably say the programs are working well here.

If a similar strong case can be made to Scott County voters, approval is likely. It isn't ever easy to pass a tax increase. Typically, older voters are the most reluctant to favor any tax increases. But for strong local programs that really deliver the goods, voters in general and senior-citizen voters have shown they will say yes.

It is up to proponents to make their case between now and November.