CLAYTON — ºüÀêÊÓƵ County Executive Sam Page wants the county to spend up to $99,000 on a contract with a public relations firm to “educate†voters on a tax hike that could appear on November’s ballot.
The increase would pay for a new police and county government headquarters, or renovating the existing buildings.
The county put out the contract for bid. The Kelley Group, a ºüÀêÊÓƵ-based firm, won the contract.
The council has to approve the expense.
But the proposal, dubbed Project Cornerstone internally, is stuck in a stalemate between Page and the County Council. A majority on the council have so far refused to advance Page’s requests because of disagreements over budget cuts and the costs of a new or renovated building.
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The least expensive option would cost the owner of a $250,000 house about $18 per year in increased property taxes, and the most expensive about $69.
Page has pursued such educational campaigns previously. The most recent instance came last year when the county told voters about what they would lose if they allowed the city of Manchester to annex a portion of unincorporated ºüÀêÊÓƵ County.
Opponents of such educational campaigns argue they’re tantamount to political campaigning, and shouldn’t be paid for with taxpayer dollars. The county argues it doesn’t campaign for any particular outcome.
A proposal could appear on the Nov. 5 ballot.