[Jammie]

That's a lot of good ideas, Shores, but they'll only work for the upper middle class. But there isn't much that the lower class or the lower middle class could cut out because they have always done those things. Trust me, I know.

[downsville]

"Essential services" that WILL face cuts if counties have their revenues slashed include: water treatment, police protection, waste management, highway building, emergency response (unless they are tied into the fire department in your local county). What some might call "optional services" which will be affected include: libraries, parks, animal control, public health services, board of elections, and your district court system.
Shall each department or agency slash 20% across the board?
Florida has 67 very diverse counties. They all have needs specific to their county. They should be managed at the county level ... not by the state. No one is saying there can not be a reduction, but it should be managed by each county according to their needs. Some counties in Florida have had a decrease in population of .4% Others have increased by over 30%. Their budgetary needs are vastly different! If you live in a county with tremendous growth, there is a huge outlay of cash that needs to support the necessary infrastructure for that growth. If you live in a county with a low growth rate, your tax structure should not fluctuate much. My point is, keep government small and close. Don't let control of your county leave your county and go to the state.

[MrTudo]

Rattle your chains when you've had enough!

[Shores9]

Originally Posted by downsville

"Essential services" that WILL face cuts if counties have their revenues slashed include: water treatment, police protection, waste management, highway building, emergency response (unless they are tied into the fire department in your local county). What some might call "optional services" which will be affected include: libraries, parks, animal control, public health services, board of elections, and your district court system.
Shall each department or agency slash 20% across the board?
Florida has 67 very diverse counties. They all have needs specific to their county. They should be managed at the county level ... not by the state. No one is saying there can not be a reduction, but it should be managed by each county according to their needs. Some counties in Florida have had a decrease in population of .4% Others have increased by over 30%. Their budgetary needs are vastly different! If you live in a county with tremendous growth, there is a huge outlay of cash that needs to support the necessary infrastructure for that growth. If you live in a county with a low growth rate, your tax structure should not fluctuate much. My point is, keep government small and close. Don't let control of your county leave your county and go to the state.

Sorry but the local counties have not shown the propensity to manage responsibly. They may know best what their local needs are but they lack the skill and maturity to manage appropriately – this has been evident for the last 5+ years. There’s a lot of finger pointing and it’s the general population together with state legislators pointing at the local governments. I guess you think everyone but our local snake oil salesmen/woman (politicians) is wrong. NOT

Ps you sound like you’re a member of the Florida Association of Counties???? Or in Local government????

[Shores9]

Originally Posted by Jammie

That's a lot of good ideas, Shores, but they'll only work for the upper middle class. But there isn't much that the lower class or the lower middle class could cut out because they have always done those things. Trust me, I know.

You’re right about how much individuals can do – each situation is unique. BTW I meant eating out 2-3 time a month now vs 2-3 times a week previously. Fact is if people were not so pressed to conserve at every opportunity because of the tax man squeezing them dry we might spend a bit more and there would be more spread around to the lower incomes.

Do you think the server who I was tipping 2-3 times a week is struggling to make rent now that more and more people are conserving on their entertainment budget?

How about my lawn service guy – he has a family. What happens to him if half his route cancels? And what happens to FLA when more people leave the state then come here to live?

Something needs to be done – what's going on now is not working. Either tax us to death and most of us will leave or put local government on a big diet but something’s got to break

[tallrick]

Originally Posted by Shores9

You’re right about how much individuals can do – each situation is unique. BTW I meant eating out 2-3 time a month now vs 2-3 times a week previously. Fact is if people were not so pressed to conserve at every opportunity because of the tax man squeezing them dry we might spend a bit more and there would be more spread around to the lower incomes.

Do you think the server who I was tipping 2-3 times a week is struggling to make rent now that more and more people are conserving on their entertainment budget?

How about my lawn service guy – he has a family. What happens to him if half his route cancels? And what happens to FLA when more people leave the state then come here to live?

Something needs to be done – what's going on now is not working. Either tax us to death and most of us will leave or put local government on a big diet but something’s got to break

More sensible words for thought. The more money that goes to taxes the less for the local economy. Every day I get closer to leaving, it's just not worth it to be trying to better yourself and others, and waste time fighting the system. There has to be a better place than this.

[downsville]

Originally Posted by Shores9

Sorry but the local counties have not shown the propensity to manage responsibly. They may know best what their local needs are but they lack the skill and maturity to manage appropriately – this has been evident for the last 5+ years. There’s a lot of finger pointing and it’s the general population together with state legislators pointing at the local governments. I guess you think everyone but our local snake oil salesmen/woman (politicians) is wrong. NOT

Ps you sound like you’re a member of the Florida Association of Counties???? Or in Local government????

None of the above. Have never been in government nor do I have a family member who has ever been a government employee (except for a son-in-law who is career military). My undergraduate was economics. I have a keen interest in the economic process of both our local and state government.
I can only speak for the county in which I live. It does seem to be managed responsibly. If not, we would not re-elect them overwhelmingly as the trend here goes. There are and should be several fiscal watchdogs. Our county budget is scrutinized by the independent Productivity Committee, the Planning Commission, and Development Services Association Committee before it is passed. The productivity committee has recently added value audits to their review process. The budget can be reviewed on line anytime.Our government channel runs live broadcasts of all county and city meetings and then reruns them frequently. There is very little excuse for not being aware of what is happening on the local level here.
I do not feel far removed from my local county government. The same can not be said about my state government.

[Shores9]

Originally Posted by downsville

None of the above. Have never been in government nor do I have a family member who has ever been a government employee (except for a son-in-law who is career military). My undergraduate was economics. I have a keen interest in the economic process of both our local and state government.
I can only speak for the county in which I live. It does seem to be managed responsibly. If not, we would not re-elect them overwhelmingly as the trend here goes. There are and should be several fiscal watchdogs. Our county budget is scrutinized by the independent Productivity Committee, the Planning Commission, and Development Services Association Committee before it is passed. The productivity committee has recently added value audits to their review process. The budget can be reviewed on line anytime.Our government channel runs live broadcasts of all county and city meetings and then reruns them frequently. There is very little excuse for not being aware of what is happening on the local level here.
I do not feel far removed from my local county government. The same can not be said about my state government.

So what county do you reside? I have been trying to find budget specific information on Pinellas county and the PSTA but only summaries are available online.


And has your county's revenues increased greater than 10% a year for the last 5 years. Not just Real Estate taxes but revenues on all taxes and fees? Pinellas has, Hillsborough has much of south Fla counties have… seen a nearly 100% increase in property taxes alone.

[Muggy]

Shores9, you're a trip, man.

Let me make sure I have this right: you move down to sunny Florida from Metro NYC, buy multiple properties, fly around in a plane, drink mochiachocolatinis, and now complain about taxes. I'm very sorry to hear that you have to wash your own car again. Just another example of how awful the Florida lifestyle has become.

I really, really hope Carl Hiaasen is lurking and taking notes; you're quite the character.

[info please]

Gotta love you muggy hehe I think people think if they lower the property taxes the houses will go up .I DON't THINK SOOOOOOOO