Increase in taxes must be avoided
To the Editor:
The following statement was read at Monday’s meeting of Pottsville City Council and was addressed to the mayor, members of council and city officials:
I rise again today to oppose the proposed 2008 budget that you are considering enacting.
I have met with the city administrator and the city clerk to help gain an understanding of the issues facing the city’s budget, and I would like to personally thank them for their time. However, I remain convinced that a tax increase can and should be avoided by finding ways to reduce the role and cost of city government.
Simply put, our homeowners cannot afford to spend more of their hard-earned money on increased property taxes. I have attached a statement explaining some of the concerns I have raised, and I encourage you to review it closely. Some of my concerns include:
Why are we reducing the amount of our budget for earned income taxes at a time when we have near record lows in unemployment in our area?
Why has the line “Administrator Expenses” doubled in budget since last year? Who is watching these administrative costs and can we afford such an increase?
Equipment costs have increased from $3,621 in 2006 to $25,000 in 2008. Why do we have such a need for increased equipment costs and who is maintaining an inventory of these purchases to make sure all equipment is accounted for?
I think this council needs to reassess the need for the “comfort station” in downtown Pottsville. (This means) $10,000 in our tax dollars is literally being flushed down the toilet. We cannot afford to continue this non-necessity on the backs of our taxpayers.
We are paying way too much for insurance premiums. Are we overinsured? Have we tried to get the best deals possible by placing these insurance needs up for public bid? Do we need various brokers to conduct an insurance analysis to assess our insurance needs?
I am also asking council to consider adopting a resolution that will freeze all city hiring until this budget crises is stabilized.
Our taxpayers are counting on each of you to do a better job of controlling city costs.
I have appeared before you previously, and it would be easy for me to get frustrated at your animated negativity toward my suggestions. Council members rolling their eyes or showing your lack of interest in my ideas are somewhat offensive, but I am here not for you, but rather for the fine citizens of Pottsville.
I encourage each of you to consider those who elected you and commit yourselves right now to stop the tax hike. If you fail to do so, you are sending a message that a tax and spend mentality is acceptable in our city.
Thank you for your consideration.
Scott Thomas
Pottsville
The following statement was read at Monday’s meeting of Pottsville City Council and was addressed to the mayor, members of council and city officials:
I rise again today to oppose the proposed 2008 budget that you are considering enacting.
I have met with the city administrator and the city clerk to help gain an understanding of the issues facing the city’s budget, and I would like to personally thank them for their time. However, I remain convinced that a tax increase can and should be avoided by finding ways to reduce the role and cost of city government.
Simply put, our homeowners cannot afford to spend more of their hard-earned money on increased property taxes. I have attached a statement explaining some of the concerns I have raised, and I encourage you to review it closely. Some of my concerns include:
Why are we reducing the amount of our budget for earned income taxes at a time when we have near record lows in unemployment in our area?
Why has the line “Administrator Expenses” doubled in budget since last year? Who is watching these administrative costs and can we afford such an increase?
Equipment costs have increased from $3,621 in 2006 to $25,000 in 2008. Why do we have such a need for increased equipment costs and who is maintaining an inventory of these purchases to make sure all equipment is accounted for?
I think this council needs to reassess the need for the “comfort station” in downtown Pottsville. (This means) $10,000 in our tax dollars is literally being flushed down the toilet. We cannot afford to continue this non-necessity on the backs of our taxpayers.
We are paying way too much for insurance premiums. Are we overinsured? Have we tried to get the best deals possible by placing these insurance needs up for public bid? Do we need various brokers to conduct an insurance analysis to assess our insurance needs?
I am also asking council to consider adopting a resolution that will freeze all city hiring until this budget crises is stabilized.
Our taxpayers are counting on each of you to do a better job of controlling city costs.
I have appeared before you previously, and it would be easy for me to get frustrated at your animated negativity toward my suggestions. Council members rolling their eyes or showing your lack of interest in my ideas are somewhat offensive, but I am here not for you, but rather for the fine citizens of Pottsville.
I encourage each of you to consider those who elected you and commit yourselves right now to stop the tax hike. If you fail to do so, you are sending a message that a tax and spend mentality is acceptable in our city.
Thank you for your consideration.
Scott Thomas
Pottsville