EDC spending issues will be aired Monday

A public discussion of the city's special election to consider the use of economic development sales tax funds for purposes other than economic development and job creation and retention is schedule at 5:30 p.m. Monday, May 8, at the Kilgore Public Library.

The special election has been called for residents to consider the use of Kilgore Economic Development Corporation (KEDC) 4A sale tax monies for authorized 4B or 4A(S) projects, also referred to "quality of life projects" as well as propositions that would update the city's charter.

Early voting started last Monday and continues through Tuesday, May 9, at city hall. Low voter turnout has been reported, with 51 early ballots cast as of the end of Thursday.

As a 4A corporation, KEDC can generally only use its funds for industrial recruitment and expansion and employment growth and retention. However, if approved by Kilgore voters on May 13, some of the corporation's funds could designated for 4B or "quality of life" projects.

The city has asked KEDC to consider partnering on projects to help relieve the burden of costly projects .

The May 13 ballot will list individual "quality of life" projects that KEDC can help fund. If approved, the city will present a list of proposed projects to KEDC board members.

The May election is not to replace the 4A tax with 4B or to abolish the 4A corporation. Rather, the election will allow voters to decide if they wish to use some of the 4A tax money for 4B projects. The ballot questions are listed in today's Kilgore News Herald.

Voters will consider categories of projects - such as parks or streets - rather than specific projects and the voters will decide on each category individually.

Categories include athletic facilities, parks and related public space improvements, tourism and entertainment facilities, commercial facilities, transportation improvements, infrastructural improvements, affordable

housing, water supply facilities, water conservation programs, other business related improvements and public facility improvements that will promote new or expanded business enterprises.

If voters okay the idea, city officials would then consider the approved categories and start planning specific projects.

However, before implementation, a public hearing on each project would have to be held, and the public apprised of the exact nature of the project and all the specifications, including costs.