According to Lee County board member Tammy Hall, we want higher taxesl (homes)

[cpslaughter]

I can't believe that our county board has become so detached from reality that they would make a public comment like the ones I saw on WINK news this morning. One member said we need to "Poney up," and another said that she believes WE want higher taxes. It looks like every agency from local, to state, to national is in line to take a peck at my pocket.

[rikoshaprl]

They obviously haven't heard the cry of the tea partiers of less government spending and no increase in taxes.

[SW_Pirate]

The 'tea party' takes its origins from the taxation without representation concept. Since we are represented, albeit poorly, we cant have a tea party. We can, however petition for a recall vote and oust these scoundrals, or better yet we need to field a candidate from the tea party organization and get them elected.

What shall we do if there is a hurricane with major disaster declarations? The ineptness of our county governing bodies (school board included) will surely place us in a dilemma.

[yoko]

Originally Posted by cpslaughter

I can't believe that our county board has become so detached from reality that they would make a public comment like the ones I saw on WINK news this morning. One member said we need to "Poney up," and another said that she believes WE want higher taxes. It looks like every agency from local, to state, to national is in line to take a peck at my pocket.

“ Lee county commissioners appear poised to hike the tax rate slightly, to help solve a huge budget shortfall.


The county board learned Monday, just how dire the situation is.
"The future is maybe even worse than we thought possible," said Commsr. Brian Bigelow.


He was referring to projections that show, if the county dips into reserves again this year to balance the budget, the general reserve fund will be running a deficit of 14.4 million dollars in two years. "That is totally unacceptable," said Commsr. Frank Mann.

A negative general reserve could ruin the county's bond rating and lead to massive tax increases.


The fact is, many homes have lost value, even this year, so the small increase may not show up on your tax bill at all. “

June/28/2010
Lee County Taxpayers May have to Pay a Higher Rate Soon




Bingo!

[fiege1224]

Its time to show up at the county steps in very large numbers like they do overseas. They understand real quick when that happens. These people should be working for free in till things are turned around. Just like a lot of ceo's are doing with payment in the back end if they fix things while they are in charge. If they say they can't afford to do that then get some one else. At least an empty position doesn't keep spending money they never had. If these councilmen keep on the same path they will brake everyone in town sooner or later! Vote them all out period!!!

[yoko]

“ Reserved money used to make up for the lost revenue:

2009-10 $ 142.5 m
2010-11 $ 124.6 m
2011-12 $ 55.80 m
2012-13 $ - $ 14.4 m


Lee County will have drained its reserves by the 2012-13 budget, if it continues to pull money to make up for lost revenue from property taxes.

The county commission used about $60 million this year from reserves and will likely withdraw money for next year’s budget as well, though the exact amount is not yet available.

Properties in Lee are worth 15 percent less this year overall, preliminary property value figures show. Because local taxes are based on property values, the county would have to raise its tax rate 18 percent to bring in the same amount next year.

If the commission decides not to raise the tax rate, that doesn’t necessarily mean property owners will pay less in taxes. Other taxing entities, such as the Lee County School District and fire districts, can still raise their rates, hiking a property owner’s total tax bill. “




June/29/2010
Another Lee County deficit looms; reserves in jeopardy | news-press.com | The News-Press

[firemed]

It was passed, we will have a 17% county hike next year. The millage rate went from 3.6506% to 4.2835% after a 2-2 vote.

[KasperFile]

Sure it was to be, were else would they get money from ? tourism, properties value is all dried they need to keep fleecing the sheople that can afford it until they can’t.

[yoko]

“Nobody is facing what’s going on here,” Mann said.

County Manager Karen Hawes on Monday will present about $48 million worth of spending cuts ahead of next year’s budget. Even with the cuts, the commission will have to look at raising its tax rate for the first time in more than a decade to help close a budget gap of around $84 million.

County employees will likely have to take off two weeks without pay. Library, park and office hours may be cut. Road and median projects could be slashed.



June/25/2010
Lee County budget battle heats up | news-press.com | The News-Press (http://beta.news-press.com/article/20100625/NEWS01/100624058/https - broken link)