2 Broadcaster Press June 30, 2015 www.broadcasteronline.com Debating The Issues Forum Panel Fields Questions About Upcoming Election BY SHAUNA MARLETTE shauna.marlette@plaintalk.net If the turnout for Tuesday’s forum hosted by the VCDC Legislative Affairs Committee on the upcoming special election set for June 30 is any indication, community members are very interested in the Malt Beverage Tax and the Daycare Ordinance at the center of the debate. Held in the City Hall Council Chambers, community members offered questions for nearly two hours on the issues helping to clarify the debate in order to help decide which way they want to vote. The special election issues are: • Imposing a charge upon malt beverage purchases; • Creating a requirement for day care businesses to register with the city and provide for certain health and safety requirements. The first half of the evening focused on the malt beverage tax. In February, the City Council unanimously approved the second reading of Ordinance 1325 to implement a 5 percent malt beverage markup on the wholesale cost and freight of malt beverages beginning on July 1. As part of the Nov. 4 general election, Vermillion residents decidedly passed a $3.1 million bond issue for Prentis Park improvements. The project carries an estimated $5.25 million price tag, with the lion’s share — an estimated $4 million — for constructing a new swimming pool with modern features. The new pool will replace the current structure which is nearly 50 years old. The new amenities include a lazy river, water slides, floatable water walk, basketball hoop, onemeter diving tower, shade structures and zero-depth entry, water features, bench and shade. The funds raised from the malt beverage tax would go to pay half of the interest and principal on the bond estimated to be approximately $220,000 per year. The malt beverage tax is estimated to raise $116,000 per year. Mat Zeman, owner of Carey’s Bar and Jesse Jastram, an employee of Dakota Beverage, spoke against the tax, while City Council member Steve Ward and Director and municipal pool committee member Shane Nordyke spoke in favor of the tax. The Malt Beverage forum was moderated by Craig Thompson, Zeman stressed that those opposed to the tax are not against the pool project, but rather a special tax that targets a small portion of the population of the community. “There have been several community members that have stated to me directly, that we, malt beverage license holders are against this community and the new pool park project,” he said. “This couldn’t be further from the truth. We are very much for improving our community and this project will do just that. It will be great for Vermillion. Our contention all along is that it should be paid for in a responsible way. To which this responsibility lies with the entire community not just a small portion.” He went on to say that malt beverage users are already taxed at a higher rate than everyone else in town. “Sales of my establishment have gone down consistently from 4-7 percent in the five years I have been operating,” Zeman said. “I can see sharp decreases in sales that directly coincide with the two times I have had to raise prices. The price raises were due to the rise in cost of wholesale, surcharges for deliveries and several other factors that any other business in town can point to on their invoices.” Stating that the only other option malt beverage license holders have, rather than passing the costs on to the consumers, is to pay the tax themselves, and reduce their profit margins, which Zeman said does not seem fair. He also said he has issue with the city passing a tax, when they have said they have the money to pay for the project without the tax. “The mayor himself, along with other council people have stated, definitively, that the city can pay for this pool without a new tax,” Zeman said. “Construction will not cease, and all plans will go ahead if this tax is repealed. Our community development will go on without this extra taxation on a small minority of people.” Construction You Can Count On! Sudbeck Contracting • Roofing • Concrete • Ag Buildings • New Construction • Free Estimates Mitchell Sudbeck • Hartington, NE • 402-841-7441 However, Ward, in response to a question about the city’s ability to pay for the project with the funds on hand stated: “I think it is important for everyone to think about how $125,000 could be taken out of our current budget,” he said. “This is not a small amount. We fund things like the National Music Museum, WH Over Museum, all precious things that would be on the chopping block if we have to cut into our budget. The only other recourse would be to raise property taxes.” Ward said that Vermillion community members are already paying a higher property tax level than most in the state and he does not feel that is a viable option for this project. Nordyke added that the community of Vermillion agreed that this was the way to go when they approved the bond in November. “The idea that the city currently has the money to pay for this project is only if we cut things already being paid for, not sitting in excess – it could equal one or two people’s jobs,” she said. “Yeah, we have it if we are willing to cut the things we already have.” In response to a comment made during the forum that the pool project has not been delayed and is still on schedule by the June 30 election she said that is simply not true. “The project has already been delayed and is about a year behind schedule,” Nordyke said. “They are waiting to see what happens before moving forward on the project. The pool was scheduled to close at the end of July in order to allow construction to begin. It will now wait until the following spring to begin. Every delay we have is an increase in costs; every delay with contractor adds cost.” Daycare Ordinance Debate Ordinance 1326 which requires registration of private, in-home, daycares with the city was approved by the City Council vote of 7-2 on April 13. The ordinance requires a provider to register with the city. In order to obtain city certification the daycare provider will need to demonstrate safety items such as having a fire extinguisher, smoke detector, two ways out of basement space used for a daycare, safe electrical wiring, closets that prevent a child from being locked inside and other basic safety requirements, such as having a fenced in yard. Don’s Dust Control • Horse Arenas • Private Drives • Unpaved Roads • Elevator Access • Free Estimates 605-491-2133 1.19 Acres With Building SD Highway 50, Vermillion, SD AT AUCTION Tuesday Evening, July 7th 6:30 p.m. SHAUNA MARLETTE/FOR THE PLAIN TALK Matt Zeman and Jesse Jastram, speak against the Malt Beverage tax imposed by the city to help pay for the Prentis Park Pool Project during Tuesday Night’s forum regarding the upcoming June 30 special election. would not want their daycares locatThe ordinance allowed that a able by fire and rescue crews or to daycare which registered prior to have periodic fire inspections,” she July 1 would not require an inspecsaid. tion moving the first inspection of However, Weimers questioned, the property to 2016. if the ordinance is retained, will Moderated by Matt Fairholm, Vermillion lose daycares and what City Council member Parker will happen if they do. Stating that Erickson and parent Laura Wiemshe believes it will negatively affect ers spoke against the ordinance, the care options in town. while Gera Jacobs, USD Professor and Council member Kathrine Price spoke in favor of the ordinance. How To Vote Wiemers said the issues that “Absentee voting can be done at the ordinance raises are varied and the City Hall Finance office Mondaycause undo hardships for in-home Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.,” said city daycare providers in Vermillion. finance officer Mike Carlson. “The “It is concerning to me, that at sample ballot has been approved the April 6 council meeting, City and is available here at City Hall and Council members were asked quesare also available at the website. We tions regarding the ordinance and have the absentee ballot application were unable to answer without the on our website, so if you are out of assistance of the city manager or town you can download that, fill it the fire chief regarding what the out, have it notarized or send in a ordinance actually said,” she said. copy of a S.D. state identification “When asked several questions card and we will send you a ballot. regarding different portions of the They have to be a registered voter ordinance it became clear to the auwithin the city of Vermillion.” dience that no one what sure what “Voting on the 30th will be held the ordinance actually contained, at the National Guard Armory,” he yet they passed it anyway.” said. “Voting will be open from 7 She stressed that if the ordia.m. to 7 p.m. Absentee Voting ends nance stays in place Vermillion at 5 p.m. on June 29. In encourage could lose a significant portion of everyone to bring a valid form of their providers and that the costs identification, however if they do incurred would be passed on to not have it they can fill an affidavit parents, making affordable daycare out at the voting site.” unavailable for many. An affidavit will consist of filling However Price said that many out a piece of paper certifying that of the providers who are threatenyou are the person you say you are, ing to close their doors are close to even though you do not have your retirement and the ordinance would identification with you. assure that the next generation of ­-----providers meet basic standards. To watch the video of the forum The panel all agreed that they go to http://www.ustream.tv/recorddid not believe there are any unsafe ed/64657622. providers currently operating in For more information about the Vermillion. Tell them you saw it in the Broadcaster! election go to http://tinyurl.com/ Price also said that the registrapo89cgx. tion should be a comfort to parents 624-4429 day results, folFor election in that, while they are not experts in low the Plain Talk on Twitter at @ fire code safety rules and regulaplaintalk2 or on Facebook when tions, the ones inspecting the dayeditor, Shauna Marlette will be live cares would be allowing the parents reporting results from the National to focus on the provider and if they Guard Armory beginning at 7 p.m. are a right fit for their family. Tuesday, June 30. “Even after all the discussion, I don’t understand how parents 60K + Bonus + Incentives/Full Benefits OUTSTANDING PAY PACKAGE Sign On Bonus Mileage Pay On Duty Pay Per Diem SOLID and RELIABLE TRUCKING Since 1937 Class A CDL + Prior Experience 402-678-2201 Located: 905 W SD Highway 50, Vermillion, SD; (1/4-mile East of Polaris) JOE LOGUE, Owner Tell them you saw it in the Broadcaster! 201 W. 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