Higher taxes necessary for solving Nixa's problems?

Be sure to read Councilman Kyle Vogel's OpEd piece in the Nixa Xpress regarding new taxes. (http://www.nixaxpress.com/articles/2010/04/26/opinion/doc4bd0bec4a921b359124378.txt).

I believe all taxes must be looked at like the accused in a Salem Witch Trial - guilty until proven innocent. I am not against taxes outright - government's purpose is to provide services to the people that they cannot provide for themselves. These services cost money and that money comes from taxes. But, we must look critically at these taxes:

1. Can we do more with what has already been given by the tax payers?

2. Will new taxes make businesses and development in Nixa less competitive?

3. Are the taxes, and the benefits of those taxes, appropriately shared by all in the community?

I look forward to spirited discussion and debate on this issue.

April Nixa City Council Update

Check out Michael Durbin's article regarding Monday's Nixa City Council meeting at the link below. As a new councilman, I have voiced similar concern about changing the rules of order without any notice - at least to me. I will make sure this issue is discussed at our next working session.

http://christiancountysun.com/2010/04/april-nixa-council-update/

Introduction to new Blogspot - 4/14/2010

In a continuing initiative to make government as open and accessible as possible, welcome to the Nixa Missouri blog. Agendas, actions, and direction of Nixa's City Government and the Nixa City Council will be posted here for your comments and discussion.

My name is Brian Steele and I am the newly elected Councilman for Nixa, District 3. For more information on me and my priorities for Nixa, please go to http://www.steele4nixa.com. For those who have viewed Michael Durbin's previous posts here, you can now see more from him at http://christiancountysun.com/.

He has graciously passed this blog site along to me, in hopes that I can continue his work in making Nixa city government more open and transparent to the voters. I will be posting agendas, actions and items for discussion related our city government. I hope you will continue to follow and make your voices heard!

Brian Steele
Councilman - District 3
City of Nixa, MO