Hoppock Addresses 2016 Sales Tax Vote, Log Jam Recusal Question

Salina Mayor Mike Hoppock addressed questions during Monday’s City Commission meeting related to the 2016 sales tax vote and his prior vote involving log jam removal work.

Hoppock said he reviewed concerns raised at a previous meeting about how the 2016 sales tax ballot was handled. According to Hoppock, the vote was conducted by mail ballot, but it was not sent out through city water bills.

Hoppock said Kansas law places election administration with the county election officer. In Saline County, that responsibility falls to the county clerk. He said even city elections are handled through the county, referencing the recent BSL ordinance process as another example.

The 2016 sales tax measure increased Salina’s special sales tax from 0.40% to 0.75%. Hoppock said the measure passed with nearly 54% support to 46% opposition. He also said the margin was about 866 votes, not 400 votes as previously stated during public discussion.

Hoppock also addressed questions about his previous vote on log jam removal. He said Commissioner Trent Davis made him aware of concerns about whether Hoppock should have voted on that item because of a business relationship involving an individual connected to the company.

Hoppock said that at the time of the log jam vote, the individual he does business with through Land Title Services did not have ownership in that business. Hoppock said once he later became aware of the ownership connection, he recused himself from the more recent matter.

“That’s the appropriate thing to do,” Hoppock said.