By THOMAS JENKINS
Staff Writer
At least one Howard County commissioner would like to see voters consider implementing a county assistance tax in hopes of alleviating lean financial times for the local government.
Commissioner Gary Simer presented the idea to the commissioners court this week, saying Howard County may be eligible for the measure, which would have to be approved by the voters first. “This is a sales tax we can add on — actually, all of the vendors add it on — that's half of 1 percent,” said Simer. “It would have to be voted on. We could put it on this year's ballot and have it voted on by the public. It would effect all of the areas that aren't maxed out, which the city of Big Spring is maxed on its taxes. So, everything outside the (Big Spring) city limits would have that half-percent sales tax on it. “We would have to have it done by Aug. 20, I believe,” he added. “There are some things we would have to do before then.” Commissioner Jerry Kilgore questioned the county's ability to levy the tax in surrounding cities, such as Forsan and Coahoma. “According to what I'm reading here, a municipality may exclude a territory of the municipality by sending notice by certified mail to the court,” said Kilgore. “In other words, Coahoma could (exclude themselves), and they're not maxed out, and so could Forsan, which isn't maxed out either. So they could be excluded from the tax?” Sime said the entire basis for exclusion is based on the city's tax rate. “No, they can't be excluded because their taxes aren't maxed out. That's the way I understand it. We can get that half percent,” said Simer. “And once we get that half-percent in, if the city does annex something they can't take it away.” According to information on Window on State Government — a Web site provided by Texas Comptroller Susan Combs — the district must use the sales tax revenues to perform the following functions of the district: • the construction, maintenance, or improvement of roads or highways; • the provision of law enforcement and detention services; • the maintenance or improvement of libraries, museums, parks, or other recreational facilities; • the provision of services that benefit the public welfare; or • the promotion of economic development and tourism. As far as eligibility for the creation of the tax district is concerned, the comptrollers site also says, “A county with a population of less than 45,000 is eligible to create a county assistance district if the county does not contain a city that has a 4A or 4B development corporation, or the county contains territory of a transit authority created under Chapter 451 or 452 of the Texas Transportation Code.” Big Spring Economic Development Corporation, a 4A development agency, currently operates in Big Spring. The permissible rates for the district sales tax are 1/8, 1/4, 3/8, or 1/2 of 1 percent. County Judge Mark Barr encouraged the court to look for legal advice on the matter. “I think what the legislature had in mind here, especially east of Interstate 35, is these towns that are expanding their city limits so fast and so far, it gives the county an opportunity to get their half-percent before the city gets it,” said Barr. “We may have to get a little clarification on this. Let's write these questions down and let the county attorney look at them.”
Contact Staff Writer Thomas Jenkins at 263-7331 ext. 232 or by e-mail at
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