Some Budget Wisdom From The Speak Out Column

I am reading my Reminder, which I oddly get every week on Monday though the publication date is not until Thursday, and surprisingly there is more budget wisdom in the speak out section than at the actual budget meeting.

Courage

In regards to proposed tax increases, how about these ideas: a 0-percent tax increase, five furlough days required per year (starting at the top), employees to pay more for healthcare and new employees to manage their own retirement accounts. Private industry does these things and town leaders must find the courage to do the same. Lastly, let volunteers run the leaf vacuum truck in their neighborhoods. Take away the leaf truck and I’ll burn the leaves.

What’s The Story?

Last week our town’s finance director said there would be an increase in taxes of 2.9 percent, because of a 3 percent inflation. The federal government said inflation is 0 percent. This week I read that a proposed 9.2 percent tax increase is on the table. I guess we are the taxpayers with the golden egg.