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Speak Out on September 9th. You have the opportunity to speak out against the proposed Double Digit Tax Increase on Tuesday, September 9th at a public hearing in the Lake County Commission Chambers in Tavares at 5:05 p.m. and hopefully, with your help, we will change the course of history in Lake County.
There are three things you need to know:
(1) Lake County can afford to continue all of our existing services, such as libraries, parks and social services, without a tax increase - the proposed increase is based on new spending;
(2) It does not take a double digit tax increase to provide raises for our much appreciated public safety and county employees; and
(3) Lake County can buy new ambulances without a tax increase because they are funded from the penny sales tax not property tax revenues.
Supporters are citing "quality of life" and "civic responsibility" as the basis for the tax increase. They assert that a double digit tax increase is necessary for an improved "quality of life" and that it is our "civic responsibility" to pay a higher tax bill. With regard to "quality of life," the following should be considered:
(1) The cornerstone of a good "quality of life" is a robust and stable economy where residents can take care of their own financial needs - there may be benefits of having a park down the street, but it doesn't help pay the electric bill in a fragile and unpredictable economy;
(2) Raising taxes to pay for "quality of life" amenities is an example of elected officials telling constituents "I know better how to spend your money" - in a fragile economy this type of decision making is insensitive, arrogant and out of touch; and
(3) While "quality of life" amenities such as parks and trails can generate economic benefits (e.g. the South Orange Trail is integral part of the success of Winter Garden's downtown district), in a weak economy these amenities cannot be expected to generate immediate revenue in the local economy -- what good is a trail or a new park if a drastic tax increase scares away new job opportunities and hurts the overall economy.
Broad sweeping statements about the need for more spending in the name of "civic responsibility" or because there is a "crisis" ignore principles of fiscal conservatism and good governance. If 2014 levels of spending were adopted for the 2015 budget and a portion of infrastructure sales tax revenues was used to pay debt service on the new judicial complex in downtown Tavares, there would not be a shortfall in the budget. "New spending" requests plus an unwillingness to delay capital projects has been used to create the appearance of a "crisis." Nevertheless, there are ways to honor many of the "new spending" requests and balance the General Fund budget without a tax increase.
I have a proposal to balance the budget without a tax increase. This proposal incorporates the Sheriff's request for deputies' salaries and many of the other "new spending" requests while maintaining our current millage rate. If you would like to review the details of this proposal, please send me an email at the address below. It is one variation of many that could prevent a double digit tax increase.
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