Editor,
I own a large retail business in Eureka Springs. Customers complain daily about the high sales tax we have in town now. Raising the sales tax will hurt my business and businesses here.
Tourists are shocked with the tax rate we have now for lodging, food and merchandise. One customer told me they will have to go to Branson if our rate goes up, as Missouri’s tax rates are much lower. I have heard from many locals that they do not eat and shop in town now because of the high sales tax we have.
Why are we making the tourists pay for our problems as we depend on the tourists in this town? It will hurt us dramatically!
Raising the tax rate here will cause less in collections, so where will we be? Less collections, less business, less tourists. I can guarantee that at my business!
We already have one of the highest rates in the state. We cannot afford to raise it.
So if you don’t want to kill this town, vote No and let the city find the funds elsewhere.
Cathy Jenke