[RP TownTalk] Why the big tax hike?

[David Hiles]

Town tax decisions are repeatedly made under time pressure.  This  
year is an example.  One procedural change which would help would be  
to have a council/citizen task force that examines the budget  
(including tax rate and necessary revenue) for the UPCOMING year and  
which issues a recommendation WELL AHEAD of the time when it has to  
be set by law.  For example, such a committee might begin work in  
September 2007 and issue a recommendation in January 2008.

Town tax issues have often been heavily laced with conflict between  
the two town political factions.  It was hard to get people to work  
on the budget and  make commitments because they were concerned about  
how their actions would be unfairly RE used in the next campaign.   
Right now, one faction seems very weak so there would be less of that  
old pressure.  Another way to permanently relieve this pressure would  
be to make council and mayor terms 4 years long instead of 2, with  
staggered terms of office.