Drainage District 7 workshopping tax options

Following the public meeting between community stakeholders and Drainage District 7 regarding the steep tax hikes, board members have been meeting with legal counsel to find a practicable resolution.

Some businesses saw DD7 tax increases by as much as 500,000%. The taxes saw a precipitous increase following the first re-assessment of benefits in more than a century.

According to DD7 board member Rusty Eaker, the district conferred with attorneys on Dec. 19. He noted members were unable to come to a consensus on the available options and will have another legal meeting on Jan. 9.

Eaker was not able to disclose any of the available courses of action. Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce President Steve Halter warned of the possibility of litigation against DD7 at the public meeting but expressed his strong desire to resolve the situation by other means.

The drainage district will have its next public meeting on Jan. 14 and will possibly vote to modify the situation.

“Hopefully, we’ll have something by then,” Eaker affirmed.