City Council approved the 2021 City budget last meeting, December 15.
That budget, you will remember, included cutting 4 firefighters, cutting 2 Service Center staff, moving money from cash reserves — and a 5% tax increase.
Gadfly did not sense significant resident opposition through the approval process, and he doesn’t recall any resident commenters during the budget hearings.
But at City Council last night two callers reminded us of the hard times to which tax increases contribute.
Garrison St. resident (2 mins.):
She was “shocked” at the 5% tax increase. She wouldn’t have “fathomed” that we’d do it at this critical time, the pandemic and etc. People struggling to pay rent, mortgages, put food on the table. “O, my god, this is crazy.” “Where’s your compassion and sensitivity during this time?” When you’re struggling to put food on the table, 5% is a lot. This was not the time to do something of this nature. “Everybody’s under the gun.” I thought that our city wouldn’t “even dare” do something like this.
Richard Ellis (2 mins.):
Other places surrounding us not increasing their taxes. Recalls tax increase because of the Hirko law suit. Raised taxes in 2017, 2018, 2019. Getting a 1.3% increase in social security, half of which will go to taxes. And there’s the new water run-off charge. It’s time to stop. He’s a registered, regular voter, and he will “remember Ms. Smith and Negron and Mr. Waldron, who are up for re-election.” “They will not get my vote. Us seniors deserve better.”
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Councilman Callahan (2 mins.):
Councilman Callahan is also up for re-election. Note that Mr. Ellis did not mention Councilman Callahan. Councilman Callahan was the strongest voice for cutting during the budget hearings. And he picked up on
