[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

[golf2140]

Everyone talks about the commissioners and the developer. Folks lets step back and think of the tax increase on the property of the developer. It's going to be huge.

[New Adventures]

You are exactly correct in your interpretation. As I posted earlier on this subject the deal was done. The decision to increase was already determined. Management, IMO, "kicked the can" long enough and now they are forced to provide additional income by the easiest way possible. Don't forget this event when it is time to vote.

[graciegirl]

I keep saying that the actual tax increase will not come close to 25%. I am not new here.

[skip0358]

Gracie I tend to agree with you. By the figures Ingot slightly over $200 IF the info on the trim notice is correct. Time will tell

[Bogie Shooter]

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

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?

[njbchbum]

Originally Posted by New Adventures

snipped
Don't forget this event when it is time to vote.

When doya think there will be new candidates running for office? So far all I read are complaints and only 2 men intending to run cor Commissioner? Doya think any women will step up and run for Commissioner?

If no one new runs and campaigns and wins the same old board will still be elected - no?

[Navy (SSBN 633)]

there are only 3 commissioners up for re election...not the total 5. 2 new candidates so far is GOOD!

[Bogie Shooter]

Sometimes you have to be careful what you wish for.

[NotGolfer]

But on another note...the taxes we pay here are still way lower than they were back in the north country.

[rustyp]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

I keep saying that the actual tax increase will not come close to 25%. I am not new here.

When is the official final decision date ?

[EdFNJ]

Originally Posted by rustyp

When is the official final decision date ?

Probably the day they first released the increase info.

Mine is only going up ~$125 based on the recent TRIM notice. That is about 1 medium pizza a month even without a discount coupon. My property assessment went up ~ 17%.

[JP]

So, you don't want a tax increase? Really? You'd rather have bad roads like up North? Not me. The increase is not that much and there hasn't been an increase in taxes in 14 YEARS!!! Come on!

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by JP

So, you don't want a tax increase? Really? You'd rather have bad roads like up North? Not me. The increase is not that much and there hasn't been an increase in taxes in 14 YEARS!!! Come on!

1. I agree that the dollar value of the increase is reasonable.
2. I agree that it represents far less than the 14 years worth of tax increases they could've implemented, but chose not to.
3. I feel they SHOULD have implemented those smaller, graduated increases instead of dumping it all on the current batch of homeowners.

In the past 14 years, many people have moved out of the county, or died, and no longer pay any taxes at all. Those are the people who *should* have been paying a portion of these taxes, because those are the people who were creating the wear and tear on the infrastructure, whose kids were going to the public schools, etc.

The current batch of homeowners in Sumter County are paying for the use of the previous batch. Some of them are the same people who've lived in the area for decades. But in 14 years, two generations of children started and finished school. And now - the newer homeowners will be paying the bill for it.

Just remember if someone says "no new taxes!" - you're voting for a fantasy. You might not pay it today. But SOMEONE will be paying it tomorrow. It was the older generation who came up with the old saw "the only sure thing is death and taxes." Mass amnesia doesn't negate that particular truth.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Jazuela

1. I agree that the dollar value of the increase is reasonable.
2. I agree that it represents far less than the 14 years worth of tax increases they could've implemented, but chose not to.
3. I feel they SHOULD have implemented those smaller, graduated increases instead of dumping it all on the current batch of homeowners.

In the past 14 years, many people have moved out of the county, or died, and no longer pay any taxes at all. Those are the people who *should* have been paying a portion of these taxes, because those are the people who were creating the wear and tear on the infrastructure, whose kids were going to the public schools, etc.

The current batch of homeowners in Sumter County are paying for the use of the previous batch. Some of them are the same people who've lived in the area for decades. But in 14 years, two generations of children started and finished school. And now - the newer homeowners will be paying the bill for it.

Just remember if someone says "no new taxes!" - you're voting for a fantasy. You might not pay it today. But SOMEONE will be paying it tomorrow. It was the older generation who came up with the old saw "the only sure thing is death and taxes." Mass amnesia doesn't negate that particular truth.

I was born frugal. I have always voted for School levies, but am very careful about other people spending my money.

AND when you live in a retirement community, you will be viewed as the "older generation". Just sayin'.

In the past fourteen years many people have moved into the three counties here. Sumter, Marion and Lake. I will try to find some links.

Marion County has grown by 8% since 2010
Lake County has grown by 19% since 2010
Sumter County has grown by 36% since 2010

http://worldpopulationreview.com/sta...da-population/