To the editor:

City officials now admit that it was a mistake to give Deciphera a “tax rebate” without public discussion at the City Commission meeting on Oct. 23 (“Deciphera deal to be addressed to public,” Journal-World, Nov. 5). But their pledge to “explain” this decision at next Tuesday’s meeting, without rescinding the rebate, only worsens the problem.

Mistakes should be corrected, not “explained.” If the City Commission was wrong to give Deciphera a tax break without public input – as everyone now agrees – the remedy is to void the tax break and start over. Giving the public’s money to private companies is a serious matter, and the commission has a duty to seek public input and obey relevant laws before acting.

That’s “before,” not “after.”

Commissioners should rescind their mistaken decision and abide by the city’s tax code. Deciphera’s bid for tax relief should go to the Public Incentives Review Committee as mandated by the city’s tax abatement ordinance, which commissioners unanimously enacted in 2003. They should honor this ordinance, including its long-debated and crucial living wage provisions.

The city should conduct a cost-benefit analysis, as the ordinance requires. The results should be shared publicly at an open hearing. Only then should the City Commission act.

Grassroots Action called last week for a probe of the city’s apparent violation of the Kansas Open Meetings Act. We believe that decisions reached without public input should not stand. Public policy should be discussed in public.

Anything less would be undemocratic.

David Smith,

Lawrence