Quote:
Originally Posted by Reg
1. There were many thought provoking suggestions made by some highly educated individuals who also had budgeting backgrounds. None of the suggestion were dignified by any positive or negative comments by the Commissioners. I feel this was arrogant and disrespectful to the taxpayers who pay their salaries.
2.There were also specific comments about details in the 300 page tax document brought up by taxpayers again the Commissioners made no comments about the subject. I looked at the Commissioners table while this was talked about. There seemed to have questioning looks on a few of their faces, I took these looks as they did not read the entire tax document.
3. During another segment of the taxpayers' comments an individual suggested the Commissioners should be looked into to establish if there were any improprieties in relation to the Developer. At that time I looked at the Commissioners table again and it looked to me like there were a few flush faces.
4. It was obvious to me that no matter what suggestions or concerns the taxpayers had the Commissioners blew off if to tell us that they will do what they want. They are not looking for the best way to fund their budget but the most expedient, to have no delays in the Developer's time table.
5. We cannot change what the Commissioners have committed to for whatever reasons they have. I will remember this when it is time to vote and I hope others do the same.
6. Mr. Arnold stated that there would be no additional tax increases for the next five years. This might be correct if he was talking about the millage rate. This year the market value of our home went up about 20%. According to my understanding the assessed value of my home could be raised 3% a year, so our tax dollars could be raised another 15% over the next 5 years without any increase to the millage rate. The actual increase would be much greater when you take into account the compounding effect of the home assessed value increase.
7. We are not given the entire picture. For instance the millage rate for the Sumter County school taxes went down but the dollar amount of taxes we are to pay went up, because the assessed value of our home increased.
8. The approvals for road construction such as what was just announced for the Buena Vista Blvd. is a done deal, the taxpayers have no input. The entire Board of Commissioners needs to be replaced with people who have the present taxpayers interests first.
Stan Galperin
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Was the format of the meeting a debate or a hearing? Would not expect at a public meeting a response from the ones holding the meeting on every point made.
Was the road construction discussed at any previous planning board meetings you attended?