Benson clarifies stance on use of floating mills in county taxation

I feel there are a few misunderstandings as regards Menga Miller’s letter of Oct. 24.

First off, I have never stated that I would deny any of the districts the money they need. Secondly, there is a difference between voter-approved districts and non-voter-approved districts. I have nothing against the floating mill levies that are being used in the non-voter-approved district budgets. I fact, I don’t have a problem using floating mills in voter-approve-districts as long as the voters have approved that process.

What I would propose is  to provide the voters the option to vote on a voter-approved mill limit or to continue using the floating mill levies that are being used now by first providing the information on the differences between the two. Voter-approved districts should be put back in the control of the voters.

What I do have a problem with is when a voter approved district has a budget of $250,350 and the amount to be raised by taxes is $494,341, and they were also authorized a total amount of $524,891 for capital improvements without an explanation of what this money is being used for. This is just an example of what has been happening in the voter-approved district budgets during the last seven years. The fact that there is a problem is undeniable, and that blame should not be put on the board members or anyone else. 

 — Robin Benson is a candidate for Lincoln County clerk and recorder