City Gets Go Ahead On Use Of Sales Tax

Canton voters gave the thumbs up to a proposition regarding the use of Type B sales and use tax proceeds for infrastructure relating to water supply facilities, including the construction of a water well and water tower, as it passed with an unofficial count Tuesday night 117-69.

When the early voting counts came back, it showed 84 for and 70 against the proposition, which Canton City Manager Andy McCuistion explained is something that is much needed for the city’s future.

This summer, the city council unanimously voted on the proposal to go to a special election, which if passed would eventually be funded through the Canton Economic Development Corporation as a two-phase project.

The projects would include a water well which could cost an estimated $1 million, and an overhead water tower which could cost an estimated $2 million.

Canton EDC Executive Director Mercy Rushing told the Herald that Canton’s 4B sales tax encompasses "quality of life" as well as economic development which is only included in the 4A sales tax. This makes the 4B sales tax cover a wider range of things for the city.

In 2001, Rushing explained, the state improved the 4B sales tax by adding a clause to it that would allow for such things as water improvements, as long as the citizens voted on it.

In an interview last month, McCuistion told the Herald, "Water is a concern all over Texas. This city has not done a very good job of planning in the past. They didn’t anticipate much growth several years ago and now Dallas is headed our way…it is going to be here whether we want it here or not."

McCuistion went on to say that a well is being planned as soon as next year, and in the not-too-distant future there will be a need in the north part of town for an overhead water tower where growth is expected.