Baxter County Friends of the Taxpayers

MEETING NOTES

BAXTER COUNTY FRIENDS OF THE TAXPAYERS

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2006

BCFT Director Frank Kaye opened by welcoming Mayoral Candidate David Osmon and his wife Nancy to our meeting.  Mr. Osmon spent approximately an hour telling us who he is and what he plans to do as Mayor of Mountain Home, then answered questions from the group.  Among the subjects that were discussed (pretty much the same as last month, when we were visited by City Councilman & Mayoral Candidate Phil Frame): annexation, taxes, the city pool, water rates, street department and public safety issues, planning for the future of Mountain Home, zoning issues, managed growth, and the potential for an open-door policy at City Hall.  Other major topics of contention were the placement of campaign signs along state highways, and the potential for conflicts of interest if he should be elected Mayor when dealing with former clients and family members (some of whom are local developers).

At 2:05 pm, after Mr. Osmon’s presentation, Frank called the meeting to order.  Treasurer Ken Blade gave the following report:  previous balance was $471.20; deposits were made in the amount of $32 (Pass-the-Bucket for July meeting [no meeting in August]), $15 (sale of old A&P tax signs to candidates for office), $42 (donation + 3 new members); withdrawals of $7.50 (hall rental), $120 (booth at Baxter County Fair), $40 (ad in August Ozark Mtn News), and $191.64 (magnet giveaways for fair), leaving a balance of $201.06.

Old business

Committee Meetings:  The committee schedule is posted on the BCFT website (http://bcfriendsofthetaxpayer.org/localgovt.html).  If you don’t have Internet access, call us at 424-6235 and we’ll let you know when and where the meetings are held.  You can also call City Hall directly, at 425-5116, and get the info from the Mayor’s secretary, Annie.

Shirts:  Still have plenty – see Suzan after the meeting.

Pool Committee / Bylaws:  Frank reported that we are still working on revising the bylaws, in preparation of beginning the process of incorporating (a step that will be necessary before we can go any further with trying to get the pool covered).  Everyone has been sent a copy of the bylaws as they stand now (either e-mail or snail-mail), and invited to submit comments and suggestions for inclusion in the final draft.  More discussion is needed and will take place at the October meeting.

Baxter County Fair:  Suzan Kaye thanked all the volunteers who spent time working in the Fair Booth; altogether 12 members took turns visiting with people and getting our message out.  The booth itself was a worthwhile investment – we gave out nearly 250 magnets, had 224 people enter our prize drawing, signed up 3 new members and had 1 whose membership had lapsed renew through 2007.  Winner of the fishing trip was present at the meeting – he was one of the new members who joined at the Fair.  Location of the booth was somewhat of an issue – the building we were in does not connect directly to the main commercial building, and many people passed us by.  The suggestion was made that we try to get a better location (in the main building) for next year.

New Business

Luncheon with Dr. Coulter at ASUMH:  Representatives from BCFT have been invited to have lunch with Dr. Ed Coulter (Chancellor of ASUMH) on Tuesday, October 3^rd, to discuss the upcoming higher education bond issue which will be on the ballot in November.  A report will be made at the next meeting.

Chamber of Commerce bylaw revisions and election of Board of Directors: We received a mailing from the Chamber of Commerce notifying us of a proposed change in the bylaws, to reduce the number of directors from the current 18 to “a minimum of 12 with a maximum of 21.”  Each member organization was asked to vote for or against the proposal; a vote of the group was taken and it was agreed to vote FOR the proposed change.

Also in question were the individuals running for Board of Directors.  A slate of 12 candidates was included with the mailing, with instructions to vote for 6; those elected will take office in January 2007 and serve through 2009.  Copies of the ballot were distributed to all present, and after a reading of the biographical info for each candidate, BCFT members were asked to vote for the six candidates of their choice.  A tally will be presented at the October meeting. 

The Pass-the-Bucket collection was $21.25 (thanks, everyone!)  This money goes toward our hall rental, postage and copying costs, newspaper ads and other administrative expenses.

The meeting was adjourned.  Next meeting will take place Saturday, October 28, 2006, at 1:00 pm at Redeemer Lutheran Church.

Special guest will be a representative from ASUMH, to discuss the higher education bond on the November ballot.

Suzan Kaye, Secretary
Monday, October 23, 2006