By Staff
Chuck Bodiford Publisher
In the last two editions of the Atmore Advance, we have discussed a tax increase proposed by the Escambia County Commission. The first story gave a breakdown of the current tax structure and the proposed changes, with their results. The second story made sure to clarify who was going to be affected and in some cases more importantly who was not.
In today's economy everyone has to have an approach of not getting trapped in the box, a way to look at things from a different perspective. Hopefully these different thought patterns will produce ideas that improve the situations that we as humans face everyday. One situation is driving, most of us have at least if not driven a car, rode as a passenger in a vehicle. I don't know if there is anything more annoying to me than running in a crater, sometime called a pothole, and the calamity that comes with it. Just the other day I had to run home and change my shirt because I spilled coffee all over myself.
The County Commission has also seen this as a problem and hopes to remedy it, however, like most organizations in the area money can be tight. This is where stepping out of that proverbial box comes in to play. After much thought and deliberation, the commission has decided to increase taxes, but only in specific areas of the county. I feel that this is a good move.
When purchasing merchandise in the city limits of Atmore or the three other municipalities, we as consumers are already paying an eight percent sales tax. I don't feel that the business in these areas could withstand a tax increase at this time. One advantage to shopping locally is that our sales tax is lower than some of our surrounding areas such as Bay Minette, which has nine percent sales tax.
With the proposed tax increase, there are those businesses that will suffer, unfortunately. One advantage that the smaller businesses have outside the city limits is that they can sell merchandise at the lower sales tax, if the tax increase goes into effect, this advantage will be lost. But with that said, we must look at Escambia County as a whole and not as indivisual parts or sections. I am glad to see that not only has the county commission identified a problem, but suggested a solution that would be fair to all.
Chuck Bodiford is an Atmore native and publisher of the Advance. He may be reached by calling 368-2123 or by email at chuck.bodiford@atmoreadvance.com