I've been trying to tell you: Word from inside City Hall is that a tax hike of at least one cent "actually might happen." The reason: That's what The People are demanding at these budget town halls, if only to keep the rec centers open and the parks mowed. And a one-cent hike, in addition to the extra $1.8 million Mary Suhm found under a pile of garbage, would go a long way toward offsetting the rec-center cuts. I've got a couple of town halls on my to-do list, but I've heard from plenty of pols and people who've already been, and all say the same thing as the Friend of Unfair Park who just e-mailed: "The people demand a tax increase, and the mayor says no."
Which brings us to Monday's budget workshop briefing, during which the council will consider the following agenda item:
Authorize (1) public hearings to be held on September 8, 2010 and September 13, 2010 to receive comments on a proposed tax rate; and (2) a proposal to consider adoption of a 79.72¢/$100 valuation tax rate, or a lower rate as may be proposed by the City Council on September 22, 2010 - Financing: No cost consideration to the CityAs Rudy points out, that's a steep increase over the current valuation tax rate of 74.79¢/$100. But it's all about negotiations, right? Right. Calls are in to Suhm, who's in a meeting at the moment.
