Every year the City Manager presents a budget to the Council and they decide on how to pay for the budget by splitting the bill between the Commercial and Residential property-owners. The only questions becomes whether the Councilors vote 1) lowest residential rate or 2) something slightly higher. Let us ask you this question, when is the last time you heard the City Council say:
- This budget is simply too high.
- Cut it 10%
- Then we will determine a tax rate??
As far as we can remember the answer is never. Now we hear discussions about extending the City Manager contract, why not tell the City Manager to cut the current budget 5% the next three years and we will give you a new 3 year contract? If he fails to meet the 5% cut each then he contract will be terminated. The bottom line is that property-owners, residential or commercial, simply can not afford to keep paying these real estate tax bills that increase every year for all of us.
Here are some ideas:
- The City Council should ask their constituents for ideas the save money in the City Budget?
- Institute a program that rewards people who come up with ideas?
- Look what budget saving cuts Springfield took during their receivership?
Maybe if we did that and were able to keep the budget the same or less, we would not have to pass on any tax increases next year???!! Instead we fear the next 12 months the City Council meetings will consist of needle exchanges, dog parks and food carts, not budget cuts.
