Roland--Thank you for the information here you've given us that I was not previously aware of, and which is good to know. The value of this thread continues to accumulate. However, I'm puzzled a bit by your citing of my earlier email. What I wrote was "Like some have
already said, I think it's too bad the discussion couldn't have started
somewhat sooner -- it does feel a bit rushed, for something as
momentous as this is. But it is good to know that there are at least a
few meetings to go before things are finalized." You took a piece of that out of context. I think it misconstrued the meaning of what I wrote.<br><br>And whether we are eventually talking about tax hike of 27% or 18% or even 10%, I think it's fair to say that it is momentous. I would argue at the very least that it *should* be seen as such. I'm not advocating for or against any particular proposal at this point. As a new homeowner in the town, I want and need much more information. That's why I've appreciated and expressed as much for the current thread(s) we've got going here. Without this email list I would know nothing of any of these issues. It's really too bad more of our residents don't join in. But mainly, I'm just saying that a tax increase of any amount in that range (10 - 27%) is certainly not inconsequential, is certainly significant, and may be seen by many on tight budgets as mom
entous.
<br><br><br><div><span class="gmail_quote">On 5/21/07, <b class="gmail_sendername">Roland Walker</b> <<a href="mailto:walker@pobox.com">walker@pobox.com</a>> wrote:</span><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">
[Dwight Holmes writes]<br>> it does feel a bit rushed, for something as momentous as this is.<br><br>Outside the world of this email list, the budget process is neither so<br>rushed, nor the taxation decision so momentous.
<br><br>No vote will be taken tonight -- the meeting is only a hearing, one<br>that is required under the laws that govern the process.<br><br>The mayor's submitted budget represents, in large part, "wishlists"
<br>put forward by town staff, gathered up together, and proposed to the<br>council.<br><br>Tonight's hearing publicizes a maximum number, which our taxes cannot<br>exceed. However, it is expected that the final taxation instructions
<br>we send to the county will be lower. The law gives us the flexibility<br>to move down -- but not up -- from the publicized number. So we call<br>it first on the high end.<br><br>Right now, what is happening is that your councilmembers are poring
<br>over the budget, finding items to remove or add, generally working to<br>bring the budget down by whittling away at staff wishlists. One<br>councilmember has also found a revenue item which was missing.<br>Citizens have also read the budget and forwarded good money-saving
<br>suggestions, and are encouraged to do so.<br><br>The incoming council are the ones that will actually pass the budget.<br>They are on point right now to see that the budget fits their policy<br>priorities as described to voters.
<br><br>This is generally a consultative process, not an adversarial one. Mr<br>Oppenheim's exhortations on the subject may be charitably explained by<br>noting that having served only half a term, he is not very familiar
<br>with the process.<br><br>The final tax rate will be lower than the advertised rate. It will<br>probably represent a modest rise in rates.<br><br>Vernon Archer ran for mayor in '05 on a platform or building up our
<br>town, and was unopposed in '07. Perhaps someone will run in '09 on a<br>platform of cutting police and public works. In the meantime,<br>measured, steady buildup will continue.<br><br>This was the choice of the voters.
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