Commissioners direct 3% of proposed 1% county sales tax to USD 103; Pochop opposes

The Rawlins County Board of Commissioners voted to draft a resolution allocating 3% of a proposed countywide 1% retailers' sales tax to U.S.D. 103, with a condition that the allocation would stop if USD 103 consolidates with St. Francis.

Commissioner Alan A. Solko moved to have a resolution written specifying the 3% allocation; Commissioner Mark Mosley seconded the motion and Commissioner Lincoln Pochop opposed. The motion carried. County Attorney Isaac LeBlanc said he would have the final resolution ready for the board’s May 31 meeting.

The commissioners and district representatives discussed how revenue from a one-percent countywide retailers' sales tax could be used to finance construction, remodeling, capital improvements or maintenance of attendance centers or other district facilities. County staff clarified that, under the enabling language cited at the meeting, “The tax imposed pursuant to this paragraph shall expire upon payment of all costs authorized in financing the costs of attendance centers or other district facilities for U.S.D. No. 105.”

Representatives from U.S.D. 105 told commissioners they had been negotiating with U.S.D. 103 but had not reached agreement on how to split the one-percent tax among districts; public attendees and district officials made statements urging various splits. County Attorney LeBlanc advised the board that legal liability from placing the question on the ballot appeared low.

The board directed LeBlanc to prepare the resolution language for consideration at the May 31 meeting; no final ballot language or effective date was adopted at the May 15 session.