Buchanan County Candidates Debate Finances, Use Tax at MWSU
By: Robert Lowrey
Updated: October 17, 2012
(ST. JOSEPH, Mo.) The candidates running for two Buchanan County offices squared off at Missouri Western State University during a forum Tuesday.
Budgeting and fiscal responsibility held the spotlight during much of the event.
One of the first questions, led by MWSU political professors, focused on the budget for the Buchanan County Sheriff's Department.
Republican candidate Pat Grove continued stressing his campaign points saying the department is not being frugal enough.
"It is not conducive to taxpayer money," said Grove. "They are spending money on whatever they want. That's my money and the taxpayer money."
Incumbent Democrat Mike Strong argued that the Sheriff's Department has already dealt with budget cuts during his eight-year tenure as Buchanan County Sheriff.
He urged voters to look at the money he has saved the department.
"We've had our budget cut about a million dollars," said Strong. "We bought diesel fuel trucks as a way to save money. Diesel fuel may be a little more expensive but it keeps maintenance costs down."
The county's upcoming ballot issue for the Use Tax also appeared front and center during the debates.
Candidates for Western District Commissioner were the first to tackle the question of whether or not they supported the issue.
Incumbent Democrat Ron Hook made clear his support for the Use Tax.
He says if Buchanan County does not pass the measure this election, they could fall behind the rest of the state.
"The state has already passed the use tax issue," said Hook. "So the state is getting their money. On items such as cars, we could be losing as much as $250,000 a year."
His opponent, Republican PJ Kovac, claimed now is not the time for the issue to be raised.
He said people are in an anti-tax mindset and the issue could backfire on the county in the long run.
"I think this is the wrong time to be bringing this up," said Kovac. "People will see it as another tax. And what they might see is they can go save money elsewhere."
Sheriff candidate Grove also disputed the Use Tax, saying he admittedly did not know a lot about the issue.
His opponent, Strong, supported the Use Tax, hoping it would bring in additional revenue for the Sheriff's Department to put a few more men on the street.
The candidates will appear on the Buchanan County ballot on Nov. 6.
Budgeting and fiscal responsibility held the spotlight during much of the event.
One of the first questions, led by MWSU political professors, focused on the budget for the Buchanan County Sheriff's Department.
Republican candidate Pat Grove continued stressing his campaign points saying the department is not being frugal enough.
"It is not conducive to taxpayer money," said Grove. "They are spending money on whatever they want. That's my money and the taxpayer money."
Incumbent Democrat Mike Strong argued that the Sheriff's Department has already dealt with budget cuts during his eight-year tenure as Buchanan County Sheriff.
He urged voters to look at the money he has saved the department.
"We've had our budget cut about a million dollars," said Strong. "We bought diesel fuel trucks as a way to save money. Diesel fuel may be a little more expensive but it keeps maintenance costs down."
The county's upcoming ballot issue for the Use Tax also appeared front and center during the debates.
Candidates for Western District Commissioner were the first to tackle the question of whether or not they supported the issue.
Incumbent Democrat Ron Hook made clear his support for the Use Tax.
He says if Buchanan County does not pass the measure this election, they could fall behind the rest of the state.
"The state has already passed the use tax issue," said Hook. "So the state is getting their money. On items such as cars, we could be losing as much as $250,000 a year."
His opponent, Republican PJ Kovac, claimed now is not the time for the issue to be raised.
He said people are in an anti-tax mindset and the issue could backfire on the county in the long run.
"I think this is the wrong time to be bringing this up," said Kovac. "People will see it as another tax. And what they might see is they can go save money elsewhere."
Sheriff candidate Grove also disputed the Use Tax, saying he admittedly did not know a lot about the issue.
His opponent, Strong, supported the Use Tax, hoping it would bring in additional revenue for the Sheriff's Department to put a few more men on the street.
The candidates will appear on the Buchanan County ballot on Nov. 6.
