Lake County FL Commissioner Leslie Campione's Newsletter: Say "No" to 18% Tax Increase (Part 1)

Forwarded by email - I agree with Leslie – the rest of the Board is misleading the public in how desperate the funding “crisis” is… Vance Jochim
 
 
From: Campione Newsletter [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Tuesday, July 29, 2014 10:42 AM
To:
Subject: Say "No" to 18% Tax Increase (Part 1)

 

CAMPIONE NEWSLETTER 
 
Campione Newsletter:18% Tax Increase is Unnecessary

July 29, 2014On July 22, in a 4-1 vote, the Lake County Board of County Commissioners set the tentative millage rate 18% higher than last year's tax rate (this new rate will be shown on your TRIM notice mailed in August). The final millage rate will be set after two public hearings, one on September 9, 2014, and the last one on September 23, 2014. The tentative millage rate can be lowered from the rate shown on the TRIM notice during the public hearing process in September. As you will read below, I have a plan for avoiding this excessive increase. This tax increase is harmful to many individual taxpayers and employers, and it has the potential of setting our economy back even further as we are trying to make a "come-back." Furthermore, "legitimate needs" are being used as political cover for non-essential items. It is important to note that for some property owners whose property has been assessed upward due to an increase in values, the 18% increase could ultimately result in a bill that is 22.9% higher than last year's bill. The tactics used to generate support (or diffuse opposition) to the proposed increase have painted a picture that is counter-productive to our efforts to attract new companies and bring high wage job opportunities to our residents. Our residents are safe, our first responders are top-notch, and our reserve fund meets the requirements of Florida law, County policy and the bond market. However, should we assure that our first responders and public safety providers are sufficiently compensated? Absolutely. During the meeting on July 22, one of my fellow commissioners used the phrase "intellectually honest" when questioning how I would take care of essential services without supporting the tax increase. Another commissioner stated that it is "politically expedient to vote against taxes and not offer a solution." The obvious solution was expressed by many taxpayers at the meeting: the County Commission should "live within its means." I have a plan. Our Sheriff, who is doing a great job keeping us safe, has made a specific request of $3.2 million over his prior year's budget to primarily fund much needed salary increases. The Sheriff's funding comes from the General Fund. Over the past year, Lake County's tax roll expanded over 4% (due to new construction and increased property values), which resulted in $2,995,022 more in the General Fund than collected under last year's budget. Why can't we work with what we have? Those in favor of the 18% millage increase argue that the additional revenues flowing into the General Fund ($2,995,022) will only cover a portion of the budget that was funded last year from reserve funds. If a status quo budget were adopted (i.e. no increases in spending), there would be a shortfall around $3.3 million but this could be funded by paying debt service on the new judicial center from infrastructure sales tax revenue (up to $5.74 million). If the maximum amount ($5.74 million) is applied to General Fund debt service, there is no longer a "shortfall" but instead there would be positive cash flow of $2,335,922. By creating greater efficiencies, making adjustments and "shoring up" the County's solid waste program and landfill operations (which is being subsidized in the proposed budget with over $3.1 million that originated from the General Fund), not only could a tax increase be avoided but the Sheriff's budget request could be addressed. Bottom line: 18% Increase is Unnecessary. By exercising restraint, getting creative, phasing in capital outlay over a five year period, focusing efforts on attracting new jobs and businesses to Lake County (not scaring them away with excessive tax increases), and starting each budget process with a commitment to taxpayers to "live within our means," the path to fiscal responsibility comes into clear view. But if you start with the premise that a tax increase can be justified, it does not take long to pile up a list of things that would be nice to have. In my next newsletter I will delve into ways to address critical needs and capital repairs such as the fuel remediation at the Astatula landfill ($500,000), HVAC repair and IT upgrades, and I will look at ways to trim the budget to avoid a tax increase while protecting essential services, and explore options for the future to make it easier for taxpayers to "follow the money."
I need your input. I would greatly appreciate your input on this story and other issues that are important to you. Send your response (or a request to be a regular subscriber) to: [email protected]. 

 
Sincerely,
 
Leslie Campione 
Campione Newsletter