Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Smoke & Mirrors? Is Tunica County Really “sinking” or “swimming” in debt?


First, thank you to those who have commented and recognized that this blog is here for one thing – to try to present the TRUTH!  Welcome Barbara Tuchel! Please note – your comments are posted without our “pre-approval” and we have never deleted a comment.  (Of course, profanity and direct personal attacks can’t be allowed.)  On this blog - a healthy, but respectful, debate is welcomed and encouraged!  No need to look at other blogs – we have it all!

The current County Administration has worked hard to make everyone believe the County is “sinking” or “swimming” in debt.  The County has incurred various debts over the years – like many of us.  The County loan money was used for many different projects, but primarily to support the gaming industry – golf/tennis, arena, airport, River Park, recreation facilities, etc.  Beginning in 2012, the current Board of Supervisors increased property taxes by over 15 mills annually (about $3,500,000) so that it could pay the debt payments!  The prior Board had levied no taxes to pay the debt – it used the gaming revenues for that.  Since 2012, the current Board has estimated that it needs about $3,400,000 annually to pay this debt that we are “swimming in.”  See the budget.

Based on reported numbers, as little as FIFTEEN PERCENT (15%) of the gaming revenue will pay the annual debt service of the County!  This holds true even for last year when gaming was down over 40% from its high in 2006.  Why not dedicate 15% of the gaming revenues to pay the debt service AND then eliminate the $3,500,000 tax on the citizens?  Why put the burden of this on the citizens when such a small portion of the gaming revenue can cover all of the debt?

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