Brian Evans

Considering the Joplin City Government’s budget is more than double the size of other cities throughout Missouri of similar size… even other cities like Bentonville, I find it incredibly concerning that they keep pushing for extensively bloated tax renewals that stretch for two years beyond a decade, which is an extremely long time before voters can demand or hold city officials accountable! Meanwhile, they are simultaneously pushing for massive property tax increases on citizens, just to pay for basic functions, when they should be in a financial situation to be calling for tax cuts to help citizens during this down economy!!!Regardless, Joplin Government says they don’t have enough tax dollars to pay our Police and Fire… or to maintain our parks and buildings like Memorial Hall or the Justice Center… or to even simply maintain our roads! However, in reality, none of their problems stem from our Joplin Government not getting enough tax dollars from citizens.. but are a result of their poor management of those dollars… BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT BEING EFFICIENT OR RESPONSIBLE WITH TAX DOLLARS… $181Million of your dollars!!Ultimately, the answer is for Joplin residents to force our city to be more responsible and efficient by VOTING NO on April 2nd to the Capital Improvement Sales Tax renewal! DEMAND THAT THEY STOP THE WASTE, OR WORSE… AND TELL THEM NO NEW OR RENEWED TAXES UNTIL AFTER THE CURRENT AUDIT by the Missouri State Auditor IS COMPLETE!

Brian Evans for Joplin