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Public commenters raise sales-tax and HB 308 concerns; commissioners respond
Summary
During public comment, speakers alleged foreign nationals were not paying sales tax and questioned when county officials authorized testimony on HB 308; commissioners and the county legal advisor responded that sales-tax breakdowns come from the state and that Thompson’s testimony was given as an individual with authorization, and the county will supply public-record responses.
During the public-comment portion of the Jan. 14 meeting, Diana Daniels said she believed county sales-tax receipts were decreasing because "foreign nationals are not paying taxes," a claim Commissioner Patterson disputed, saying county receipts were up last year and that the county budgets conservatively for 2026.
Mary Ann Schmidt read a statement asking when the county authorized written and oral testimony in support of House Bill 308 and requesting certified minutes and records; she alleged Mr. Thompson and Commissioner Rittenhouse had acted as county representatives without a public vote. County legal counsel Beau Thompson replied that his testimony is public record, that each commissioner had individually authorized him to testify, and that the commission office would respond in writing to the public-record request. Commissioners emphasized the vacancy/appointment rules for the Republican Central Committee and noted that legal and election-code provisions guide the county’s actions.
