Getting the numbers right

March 29, 2008 02:25 pm

— Editor’s note: When this letter was published originally, the newspaper erred in the transcription. We regret the error.
Editor:
As secretary of the Pittsburg County Oversight Committee, I would like to thank you for publishing in your Sunday, March 16, edition on page 1D our report to the public regarding projects approved by Pittsburg County voters in October 2005.
Unfortunately, certain fractions regarding the sales tax increase were not successfully reported in the newspaper and I would like to explain the figures. The three-quarters percent sales tax increase contained two parts: One-half of one percent to fund capital construction projects and one-quarter of one percent to furnish ongoing revenue to provide a permanent revenue source to operate the new county jail and the animal shelter. When the projects have been completed and paid for, the first part (one-half of one percent) will be eliminated and our current sales tax rate in McAlester will fall from its current nine percent rate to eight and one-half percent. The second part (one-quarter of one percent) will remain, with one-fourth (one-sixteenth of one percent) designated fund animal shelter operations and three-fourths (three-sixteenths of one percent) designated for jail operations.
This ongoing funding source was provided to avoid the predicament faced by Grady County (Chickasha) residents who, after building a multi-million dollar jail, were not able to open and operate it due to failure to provide funds for its operation.
We encourage readers to consult the Oklahoma State University Extension Service web site for our reports, together with pictures of the projects. The information should be posted by March 24.
James Dunagin
Secretary, Pittsburg County Oversight Committee