Tax passes by slim margin

Alexis Barker
NLJ Reporter
 
Weston County voters narrowly approved the 1 percent optional sales tax during the Nov. 6 general election. A total of 1,490 voters approved the tax, while 1,160 voters declined to support it. The optional tax provides funding for both Weston County and the city of Newcastle and for various organizations that are seen as providing support services to residents. 
“Without the money provided by the 1 percent option tax, we would not be able to provide funding at all to the service organizations that seem to rely on some level of support from the city,” said Greg James, city clerk/treasurer. “We just couldn’t take that kind of hit to the general fund and maintain the current level of services.”
James said that the $476,250.91 generated for fiscal year 2018, which ended June 30, goes toward service organizations in the city. These entities include the Weston County Senior Center, the Weston County Humane Society, the Weston County Children’s Center, Newcastle Ambulance Service and the Newcastle Recreation Board. 
“The outlay for all service organizations in fiscal year 2018 was $265,127.75. That leaves $211,000 to be dispersed and used in other general fund areas (parks, cemetery, fire department, police department),” James said. “We have never specified to which department beyond the service organizations.” 
According to James, the $476,250 represents 17 percent of the total general fund revenue and is crucial in providing funding for the service organizations within the city. 
The county uses a similar plan for use of the 1 percent optional tax. County Clerk Jill Sellers said that the county uses the 1 percent revenue for what are deemed “service entities” that receive funds from the county. 
The projected 1 percent revenue for fiscal 2019 is estimated at $320,000 for the county. Sellers noted that the county budgets conservatively for the accounts that receive 1 percent option tax monies in case the collection is not what was projected; the total budgeted amount in the fiscal 2019 budget is $303,040.12. 
A breakdown of the optional sales tax appropriations is included in the county’s budget, listing providers of service for the county from the ambulances services to senior meal programs. 
According to the budget, the service providers receiving the most funds from the county include the Weston County Children’s Center, $12,750; Newcastle Ambulance Service, $15,000; Osage Ambulance Service, $15,000, Upton Ambulance, $15,000; the public defender, $20,000; and Newcastle Senior Meals, $14,025.