Mixed reaction to proposed sales tax increase

Council President Tommy Overcash spoke on the tax increase on May 21 at the town hall meeting. (RECORD PHOTO/ALDO AMATO)

By Aldo Amato

Staff Reporter

MADISON — The proposed half-cent sales tax increase received a mix reaction from Madison residents at a special town hall meeting.

The Madison City Council opened up the floor to residents to voice their opinion on a proposed half-cent sales tax increase. The increase would help fund the Capital Improvement Project (CIP) and other projects throughout the city.

The previous sales tax increase was used to fund the new James Clemens High School.

“I think we need this sales tax increase because it would help fund the ongoing projects at the Madison Public Library,” Librarian Sarah Sledge said. “The library is a vital part of this city. We have people from every different socioeconomic background come to the library to use it. When people are looking for jobs, they come and use our computers and our Wi-Fi. This increase will do a lot of good for this city.”

Others agreed with Sledge.

“Everyone wants a nice building, everyone wants a nice school and these nice things but no one wants to pay for it,” resident Matt Goriven said. “I respect you to raise those taxes.”

New Madison City Schools board member David Hergenroeder also supported the proposed increase.

“This is one of those areas is where you get what you pay for,” he said. “I am willing to invest in the future of Madison. I trust that this council will use this money wisely and I applaud you for making those tough decisions.”

However there was a major uproar over the proposed increase from many in the audience.

“I think the first thing is come out to the city and ask if they want a new sales tax,” Margie Daly said. “When I call my councilman and ask him about this sales tax and he says ’50 percent of the people support it’ then I don’t know who he’s talking to because I have spoken to many people who are not in favor of it.”

Many, including Daly, asked the council for a public vote on the increase. The council plans to discuss the increase at future meetings.