Commission, KEDC may ask voters to re-allocate taxes

Members of the city commission will meet Tueday night with directors of Kilgore Economic Development Corporation to discuss converting some KEDC money to “quality of life” projects.

Mayor Joe T. Parker, mayor for the City of Kilgore, said Friday the commission will consider calling a special election for May 13 in which the voters will decide “whether Section 4A economic development sales tax money should be used for the purpose authorized under Section 4B.”

State law governs the use of sales taxes designated for economic development uses. Kilgore collects its half-cent sales tax under the provision known as “4A.” Generally, 4A money is used for industrial – primarily manufacturing and distribution – job creation and retention. In contrast, 4B funds are available for a much broader list of projects including parks, retail development and recruitment and infrastructure.

If voters specifically approve it, 4A money may be used for 4B projects.

Parker said projects such as the new disaster/civic center and the downtown streets project are just two 4B projects the city is looking at that can be funded under these provision.

Parker said Tuesday night the Kilgore Economic Development Corporation will commit to the amount of financial help they will provide for 4B projects in the upcoming years.

“This will give the city an idea of what type of projects such as city infrastructure that can be accomplished if the voters so choose,” said Parker. “The city has been looking at this idea for the past two years and is compiling a very broad range of projects.”

If voters in May reject the proposal, Parker said, those projects will still get done, “we’ll just have to find other ways to pay for it.”

City Manager Jeff Howell said Tuesday night’s meeting will focus on ‘categories’ of projects which might be listed on a May ballot.