The good news is: The city council finally voted to help fund a county-wide animal shelter. I believe that we can all agree that the county-wide animal shelter is badly needed and it has taken way too long for this to happen.
The bad news is: Did you, the citizens and taxpayers of Bonham, feel that vacuum effect as your tax dollars were removed from your possession? By voting to fund $30,000 toward the operation of the shelter for the first year, the city council has treated you unfairly. If the county does what it has said, you, the taxpayers of Bonham, will be forced to pay three and one-half times more for the annual operation of the shelter than those folks living in the unincorporated areas of the county. County Commissioner Pat Hilliard said this was unfair. Leonard City Administrator Butch Henderson said this was unfair. Trenton City Councilman Gary Duncan said this was unfair. Bonham City Manager Corby Alexander indicated that this was unfair.
Some people have said that this is not a tax issue; that this is simply a $3 per capita assessment. There is no legal way to do an assessment and it will all have to come from taxes! Alexander said that he thought that we could fund the $30,000 without raising taxes and some of the city council members seemed to feel that is the answer. Folks, a tax is a tax is a tax. If we have $30,000 of unneeded tax dollars stashed away, then lower the tax rate and save the taxpayers some money or use it to fix the streets!
Now, Folks, think about this: If the county dedicates one-half cent of property tax revenue, as three of the commissioners’ court have said, and the City of Bonham contributes $10,000 annually, and the other incorporated areas of the county contribute what they have pledged, this would generate approximately $100,000. Public estimates for the annual cost of operating the shelter have ranged from $75,000 to $125,000 annually. I believe that the $100,000, plus private donations, will fully fund the annual cost of operation.
The City of Bonham is currently spending $8,000, plus private donations, to operate the pitiful city pound. With this in mind, I moved to contribute $10,000 annually for the operation of the shelter; my motion was defeated five to one. This would mean an expenditure of an additional $2,000 annually for the city taxpayers. The way it stands now is that we will be paying an additional $22,000 annually ($30,000 less the $8,000 we already spend).
For the record, Mayor Roy Floyd moved to approve the funding of the $30,000 and his motion passed by a 4 to 2 vote, with Roy Floyd, Wayne Moore, Ruth Ann Thomas, and Brad Underwood voting in favor of spending the $30,000. John Burnett and Glenn Taylor believe that it is unfair for Bonham taxpayers to pay three and one-half times more that those in unincorporated areas and these two voted against the motion. We are not against the shelter, but we are against the unfair funding.
Two other great things happened Monday night: We think we are going to get an additional $450,000 grant to help low/moderate income people to have decent housing and a suitable living environment. In addition, we have applied for a $1 million grant to expand the Library by adding an activities center to better accommodate the reading program. This grant would also enable us to create a larger and improved public computer lab. In addition, this would allow more meeting room facilities. The employees, volunteers, and library board members do a great job and I believe that this grant will be a great investment toward improving our community.
Citizens of Bonham, it is up to you. Do you want to be forced to contribute three and one-half times what others will contribute for a county-wide animal shelter? If not, the time is upon you to speak. Please let your elected officials know how you feel about this and any other issues you may have.
Again, I remind you that you elected me to represent you on the Bonham City Council. You may contact me at 903.227.4477 or e-mail me at burnett_jw@hotmail.com. It would be even better if you actually came to the next City Council meeting and voiced your opinion. This is, after all, your city!