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Residents push for clearer outreach on proposed 1¢ sales tax; commission schedules CIP meeting
Summary
A resident urged stronger outreach about a proposed 1¢ sales tax intended for streets and capital projects; the commission said flyers were included in utility bills and scheduled an open-house to discuss the CIP and street projects.
Resident Debbie Urbanek told the Harrington City Commission she has been advocating for the proposed 1¢ sales tax and said many residents oppose the proposal because of rumors that past sales-tax funds were misused.
“Every single person that I've had a conversation with has been against it, because it is their opinion in the past when we've had a, street sales tax that the funds were not used specifically for the streets,” Urbanek said. She urged the commission to “step up louder, and wider to share, you know, what this is all about.”
Commissioners and staff responded that the city has been promoting the proposal through community meetings and attached flyers in upcoming utility bills. Staff said the ballot question’s language restricts spending to the designated purpose and that the previous sales-tax language may have been broader, which could explain residents’ concerns.
The commission announced an open house on Sept. 25 at 5:00 p.m. at the Harrington Community Building to discuss streets and the capital improvement plan. Staff also said they will seek additional signage and ask the county about using an electronic sign to promote the meeting and other outreach efforts—including business outreach via Commerce Connections events.
Commissioners encouraged residents to attend the meetings to ask questions and said the city’s intent is to be transparent about how proceeds would be used. Staff said they will present a memo in a future meeting outlining what staff can do versus what commissioners can do on outreach and communications.
