According to a press release, Murray has the necessary number of validated voter signatures to authorize a parks referendum to appear on the November 4 ballot. The clerk’s office determined that 3,189 submitted signatures were valid, comfortably more than the 3,039 needed to move the referendum forward for voters to decide.
If approved by voters, the referendum would institute a “nickel tax” on $100 worth of personal property in Calloway County. The simpler translation is that $50 of park funding tax would be generated for every $100,000 of property value.
“Many people from throughout the city and county helped gather signatures to bring the parks referendum to the ballot. On behalf of the parks department, and the community, I’d like to thank them all for their efforts,” said Tab Brockman, parks director. “It is healthy that there will be much more public discussion and idea sharing about our parks and park financing before votes are cast in November.”
Members of the People for Our Parks Committee filed the initial petition request to bring the measure to the ballot in the spring and shared their continued support for the referendum.
The referendum gives voters the ultimate decision to establish a special taxing district to fund the Murray-Calloway Parks, as provided in KRS 97.590. “Our parks are such an important resource for all the people of Calloway County and our park board understands the huge financial challenges we have today and will have in years to come,” said park board chairman Jason Lovett. “With this being placed on the ballot all of the voters of Calloway County will have the opportunity to ensure parks and recreation funding for our future generations.”
