Ballot issue
I would just like an answer to the following question, (I emailed Councilman Hancock last July 20, 2007 and have yet to receive a response): When is a tax increase not an increase?
In the Thursday, July 19, 2007 paper the article states “If voters approve the mill levy and only $480 million worth of projects the increase would be $49.25 on a $255,000 home. This is not a tax increase, but if the entire $550 million, being asked for, resulting in an increase of $61.66 on the same priced home is a tax increase. Mr Hancock says (in that article) his concern is that the Mayors campaign for the ballot issues doesn’t demonstrate that anything above $480 million would be a tax increase. Isn’t the $49.25 a tax increase? In the Friday July 20, 2007 paper again the Council is concerned that voters will keep the total approved issues under the $480 million mark to prevent a tax increase. Again I ask: Isn’t the $49.25 increase if the $480 million mill levy approved not a tax increase if my taxes will go up by that amount.
Why is it just an increase if the mill levy and the bond issue are both approved totaling $550 million and the taxes on a $255,000 home go up $61.66.
It is really time the politicians start telling the people the whole truth.
That if any of these ballot issues are approved, YOUR TAXES WILL GO UP!!!!!!!!!!. Perhaps I am reading things incorrectly, and if so I would welcome someone explaining it to me as I requested in my email to Mr. Hancock.
Again I am not opposing or supporting the issues, I just would like people to be told the truth so they can make well informed decisions.
This letter has not been edited.