From: "DB" 
Newsgroups: misc.invest.real-estate
Subject: Re: Tax increases
Date: Tue, 3 Aug 2004 09:12:33 -0700

You're preaching to the choir, sister! ....

But then we're all singing in Swahili and have no idea what you're talking
about.


"Holli"  wrote in message
news:42aecf28.0408030610.62145170@posting.google.com...
> http://www.floridakeysnews.info
> Last week local papers reported several articles on government
> increases for taxpayers. My comments are:
> 1. Monroe County should base pay increases on the cost of living and
> merit - not whatever the taxpayer can bear.
> 2. Sonny McCoy should not hold public office if he believes merit for
> pay increases is "difficult and disturbing" for employees. In other
> words, do a poor job and still be a 7-percent pay increase.
> 3. Monroe County should budget first for road repair and
> transportation of the elderly - basic services and needs before more
> government buildings.
> 4. Mosquito Control now out of control! Proposed spending of $14.3
> million and the bugs are winning! How many mosquito magnets could be
> purchased for $14.3 million?
> 5. With school enrollment declining and the teachers? union seeking a
> 14-percent raise and 95-percent contribution to health coverage,
> perhaps voters should think twice before extending the half-cent tax.
> 6. Is the lobster mini season worth it? Locals are asked to reduce
> power consumption and endure road delays. The only "bright side" (as
> expressed by the president of the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce) is
> full restaurants and motels. Extra officers, boat patrols, garbage all
> command a higher than $50 fine to violators - add a zero! This is ill
> spent money in a time when money is needed for better causes ... stop
> this two-day fiasco.
> 7. Our small, responsive government of the Village of Islamorada
> isn?t! They hire a consultant who recommends hiring a firm to write a
> report for $30,000-$40,000. All of that for a failed amphitheater
> where contractors were overpaid! They buy a $42,000 bike path sweeper
> - where are the bikes? Taxes are increasing as well as village
> salaries. Our finance manager received $35,000 in January 2001. The
> October 2004 salary? $85,000. Whose finances are being managed? In
> 2004, 14 employees received $857,137. How many employees are to run
> this small village? Salaries do not include benefits. Add a retirement
> plan at 10 percent annual salary fully funded by the village. Then add
> health, life, dental, vision plans to the package topped off with 12
> vacation days and 12 sick days.
> 8 The village should not be in the business of providing workforce
> housing. A simple solution would be to eliminate property taxes if you
> fall into a certain income and live and work in the village. Tax
> credits to a developer of affordable housing should be given
> consideration. Affording a house is one thing - living in that house
> affordably is the challenge.
> 9. The TDC requests $23.8 million. Do we really need that many
> tourists? They will come anyway - whether we want them or not.
> 10. The 18-Mile Stretch needs no further studies. Monitor speeding and
> eliminate all areas for swimmers, boat launching and fishing. Install
> a tool booth at the entrance to the Keys. A $5 (non-resident) per car
> toll for the privilege of visiting this "Natural" wonder.
>
> June Shadle
> Tavernier