Caledonia Argus

County passes resolution opposing reverse referendums

Posted: 4/15/03

by Jane Palen
Managing editor

The Houston County board doesnít want to give voters the opportunity to reverse referendums that they have already passed.

At its April 8 meeting, the board unanimously passed a resolution in opposition to legislation that would allow a reverse referendum on tax levy increases. House File 751, which was introduced March 6, would allow voters to petition a city or county for a referendum to repeal a tax increase. A special election would be held in January and if voters choose not to support the levy as presented by the city or county, the levy reverts to the previous yearís level. The statute would apply only to cities or counties with populations over 2,500.

Commissioner Kevin Kelleher called reverse referendums ìunconstitutional.î

ìOur founding fathers wanted a representative democracy, and thatís what we do.î

Kelleher went on to say that if reverse referendums would have been allowed earlier in our countyís history, ìWeíd all be speaking French and Alaska would be a part of Russia.î

The Louisiana Purchase was opposed by many, said Kelleher, and Alaska was once called ìSewardís Follyî because many people believed it was a mistake to acquire it.

ìIf the interstate highway system would have been put up to a vote, it would not have passed,î said Kelleher.

In part, the resolution states that the reverse referendum would be an unfunded mandate with the county absorbing all costs associated with a special election. It also indicates that ìcounty commissioners stand before their constituents with a willingness to accept full responsibility for property tax increases that are justified, fiscally prudent, and serve the best long-term interests of the community even if short-term ëpoliticalí considerations might dictate otherwise.î

Airport lease amounts will be reviewed

It may cost more to lease hangar space at the Houston County Airport in the future.

The county board is reviewing its airport leases, something that hasnít been done in some cases since 1983.

The building which houses the hangars is owned by the Houston County Flyers. However, the land on which the building it situated is owned by the county. Those who pay rent are paying rent for the lot, not the building.

Most of the 40' x 30' ft. spaces are rented for $90 per year, and have been that price since 1983. Several rent for $126, an amount also set in 1983. One of the 14 lots rents for $60, has not been changed since 1969. The total annual income for the county from the airport leases is $1,452. The leases were open-ended and subject to change with 60 days notice.

Kevin Kelleher asked the county auditor to prepare a comparison of lease amounts for airports of similar size. He also suggested adding an expiration date to a new lease.

Commissioner Ann Thompson commented that the leases ìDidnít come up on our radarî because they arenít something the county board reviews on a annual basis.

ìThere should be a mechanism by which it comes up,î she said.

Houston policeman honored

Dave Breault, an officer with the Houston Police Department, was honored by the county Victim and Mediation Services for his work with crime victims. The award was presented during National Crime Victims Week, which was April 6-12.

Michelle Herman, coordinator of Victim Mediation Services, said Breault has gone above and beyond the call of duty in responding to the needs of crime victims.

Commissioner Kelleher, in whose district Breault serves, noted that he has never heard anything negative said about the officer.

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