Baxter County Friends of the Taxpayers

MEETING NOTES

BAXTER COUNTY FRIENDS OF THE TAXPAYERS

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2005

Thirty-four concerned taxpayers met Saturday, February 12, 2005, at the Highway 62 East Community Center. Frank Kaye called the meeting to order at 10 a.m. A clipboard was passed around asking for everyone's name, phone number and e-mail address, which will become our committee roster (copies will be given to every member).

First order of business was to decide whether to become an actual "organization." The consensus was yes, so several names were offered up and voted on. The name chosen for the group was Baxter County Friends of the Taxpayers (in part because of the name recognition factor -- it has been used in the past by a group that lobbied to defeat a recent library tax issue). Nominations for officers were called for, and the following persons were chosen to serve:

• Director: Frank Kaye
• Assistant Director: Rob Welch
• Treasurer: Bill Clark
• Secretary: Suzan Kaye

By organizing, we became an official "Ballot Question Committee," and committed ourselves to filing a "BQC Statement of Organization" with the AR Ethics Commission, per their rules (http://arkansasethics.com/) . We will also be required to file periodic financial disclosure reports, or face penalties. All forms needed are available from the Ethics Commission website.

The question was asked about where to find and read the AR State Code that addresses the A&P Tax. I didn't have the information with me at the time. It can be found on the AR State Legislature website (http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ -- click on "Arkansas Code," then on the appropriate section numbers on the sidebar as indicated). The A&P Tax's reference code is 26-75-601. Very interesting reading!

Next came discussion about ways to keep the A&P Tax issue in front of voters between now and the time the election is held (no date yet -- should be announced this Thursday night at the City Council meeting [Feb 17, 6 p.m., City Hall]). A long list of ideas was developed:

• Continue writing the letters to the editor; respond to Chamber of Commerce newspaper articles & the Powers-That-Be favorable letters to the editor;
• Draft a position statement (completed, please see below and provide comments);
• Recruit additional members, especially younger members, to our group;
• Schedule guest speakers at various community meetings, activity groups, city department heads, to get our message out;
• Distribute flyers to businesses to encourage people to vote;
• Seek to include county residents in the effort to overturn the tax;
• Add vote/poll function to website (in progress);
• Direct mail flyers to all Mountain Home residences (~$2100);
• Place radio ads (~$350);
• Place ads on XL7-TV (~$152 to $248 depending on package);
• Place ads on K26GS-TV (~$700 for 120, 2 minute spots);
• Place ads on Cox Channel 5 ($~30 to $150 depending on duration);
• Place a display ad in Baxter Bulletin the week before the election (6 days for $216);
• Place flyers in Baxter Bulletin the day before the election (~$664); and
• Place signs in yards at strategic locations (~$473 to $1070 depending on qty ordered).

No decision was made at this time on which items to pursue, so on Monday (Feb. 14th) a survey was sent out to everyone whose e-mail address was available; those without e-mail will be contacted by mail or telephone for their input. Results of the survey will be discussed at the next meeting, which has been scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, February 26th at Redeemer Lutheran Church (park on the North St. side & come in the north entrance door).

Suggestions were made about having a potluck dinner as a fundraiser. Other ideas will be considered as well (contact us with your ideas!). It was also suggested that fundraising and education committees be formed, to make the decision-making process a little easier. No action was taken to form those committees.

The question was asked whether anyone knew of an attorney who might be willing to support our cause, and offer legal advice (if necessary) on a pro bono basis. Chuck Barnes volunteered to contact State Senator Shawn Womack (a personal acquaintance) to see if he would be interested.

We received a donation of $10 from committee member Hank Harvey, to apply towards our advertising costs. Treasurer Bill Clark will contact his bank and find out the procedure we need to follow to set up a bank account for the group. Details will be reported at the next meeting.

At this point, the meeting broke up, but nearly a dozen people stayed behind (for over an hour) to talk in small groups and read over some of the information we brought with us.

Tuesday, February 15, 2005

Suzan Kaye (424-6235)

Secretary, BCFT

~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~

Position Statement:

The BCFT advocates the defeat of Mountain Home Ordinance 2005-01, commonly referred to as the Advertising and Promotion Tax, at an upcoming Special Election (date yet to be determined).