Clovis torn on gross receipts tax hike

Project: Reader reaction

A recent Project: Reader Reaction question asked about Tuesday’s election, in which county officials are seeking a gross-receipts tax hike. Some responses:

“I wouldn’t mind an increased gross receipts tax only if the extra money is used to increase the pay of our police and to recruit more police from the academy. This should be the county’s and city’s first priority for the safety of the citizens of this county and town.”

— Ardyth Elms, Clovis

“I’m against it, but ... it’s either a gross receipts tax in which all county residents share equally, or the county will revert to a property tax in which only property owners will pay. If a tax increase is unavoidable, I would rather have the gross receipts tax, which is the fairer of the two.”

— Bob Baker, Clovis

“I don’t believe that the timing is right for a business gross receipts tax increase. Indications are that the small business person is having a difficult time surviving at this time.”

— Harold Burris, Clovis

“I believe that we should not raise taxes at this time. If the county is short, maybe they should concentrate on the infrastructure projects as a priority and cut on the frills. We need to redistribute some of the salaries to improve the worker bee’s quality of life. We need better roads and more law enforcement and most of all water.

“Raising taxes is not always the answer. When a business is having financial problems they first look at cutting the fat and control spending. When small businesses go to the county offices and see newer equipment, fancier furniture, and higher paid employees than they can afford, it makes them wonder why taxes keep going up and their profits smaller. Maybe government should run more like a business and less like government.”

— Jim Sitterly, Clovis

“All taxes are inevitable, just like death. As one grows older, one anticipates nearing the end. However, a city must expand with taxes and it just grows and grows and grows. But as long as it is evenly distributed across the board, it is fair for all to grow with the expansion of the city. Not just those that hold property. An even, across-the-board receipts tax is more fair to everyone who lives in the city.”

— Gerald Majewski, Clovis

“If — and that is the question in my mind — the county needs more money for the jail, then the only fair way to raise it is with some gross receipts tax increase. Another question is how, or if, the county is forecasting the increased revenue from all the new businesses opening in Clovis? We all know that once taxes are increased they never will be reduced.”

— John Frey, Clovis

“Finally, I think it is time for some fiscal responsibility as to the way our money is being spent. It is so easy to vote “aye” on every assessment. With a great number of our citizens on a fixed income, the $30 increase in water bill, the $35 increase in electricity, plus regular increases in sewer and garbage assessments, I do not feel that the annual cost of living increase once a year is staying up with the actual cost of living. One day they will be in the category we are in now. I say no to any further increases, only because of necessity.”

— James W. McDonald, Clovis

“I have a better idea! Why don’t we execute the sex offenders and put the rest of the prisoners in the detention center on a bread and water diet? Let’s take away their cable television too. Since it would no longer cost $60-plus a day to house human garbage at the county jail, we wouldn’t need to increase taxes! Wouldn’t that be great?”

— Richard Lopes, Clovis