2008 Woodie Awards
SectionsVoters say no to OTC tax increase
Jeremy Kirbey
Issue date: 11/13/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Last Tuesday, voters decided against a property tax increase that would allow Ozarks Tech-nical Community College to expand their programs.
The tax increase would have been implemented over a period of three years, Hal Higdon, president of OTC said. The increase would have been four cents per year, for a total of 12 cents for every $100 of valuation. According to Higdon, this would have cost taxpayers $22 a year if they owned a home worth $100,000.
The result of the voting was a depressing event for the school. The increase was voted against by 70 percent.
Only nine percent of eligible voters even voted on the issue. Ninety-one percent of registered voters didn't even take part in the voting process, Higdon said.
As to why the tax increase was turned down, Higdon said it is due mainly to the demographics of the voting population.
"The largest group of people who voted were older and much more resistant to taxes," he said. "We heard from many people, 'We love OTC, but we cannot afford new taxes.' Additionally, the uncertainty of the economy and the escalating gas prices did not help."
What does this mean for the school and its students' futures? It will mean several new and expanded programs in technical, workforce, and health areas will not occur as quickly as the school had originally hoped Higdon said.
"All citizens will be affected," Higdon said, "because there will be fewer trained health professionals at a time when this area has a shortage. There will be fewer trained technicians in areas such as automotive and welding and the college will not be able to offer as many customized workforce training programs for business and industry."
Additionally, the school will be forced to turn away many students looking to be trained in health and technical professions.
If the issue will ever be presented on a ballot again is not yet decided, Higdon said.
The tax increase would have been implemented over a period of three years, Hal Higdon, president of OTC said. The increase would have been four cents per year, for a total of 12 cents for every $100 of valuation. According to Higdon, this would have cost taxpayers $22 a year if they owned a home worth $100,000.
The result of the voting was a depressing event for the school. The increase was voted against by 70 percent.
Only nine percent of eligible voters even voted on the issue. Ninety-one percent of registered voters didn't even take part in the voting process, Higdon said.
As to why the tax increase was turned down, Higdon said it is due mainly to the demographics of the voting population.
"The largest group of people who voted were older and much more resistant to taxes," he said. "We heard from many people, 'We love OTC, but we cannot afford new taxes.' Additionally, the uncertainty of the economy and the escalating gas prices did not help."
What does this mean for the school and its students' futures? It will mean several new and expanded programs in technical, workforce, and health areas will not occur as quickly as the school had originally hoped Higdon said.
"All citizens will be affected," Higdon said, "because there will be fewer trained health professionals at a time when this area has a shortage. There will be fewer trained technicians in areas such as automotive and welding and the college will not be able to offer as many customized workforce training programs for business and industry."
Additionally, the school will be forced to turn away many students looking to be trained in health and technical professions.
If the issue will ever be presented on a ballot again is not yet decided, Higdon said.
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