The Town Council did not raise the property tax rate for the ‘09-’10 Budget. That probably made most taxpayers very happy. It is, after all, an election year.
If they'd raised the taxes, it would have been admitting they needed money to pay for all the overspending we've faced the past few years. The payments have, after all, begun on the Police Station, South Harbor Fire Station and the Yaupon Volunteer Fire Department Station.
But, before any of you start thinking they've saved you some money, please consider the facts;
They kept the property tax rate steady by transferring approx. $697,000 from our General Fund, overestimating some revenue items and underestimating some expenses.
In his Budget Message to the Town Council, the Town Manager states that "The economic downturn combined with the large level of capital requirements has forced the Town to be creative and conservative when required in handling the competing demands."
My interpretation of that sentence? The economy tanked, but we still kept spending !
Later, it is stated that "Because of the economic challenges facing the individual taxpayer it is felt that maintaining the current rate is a significant accomplishment."
I don't agree that transferring money from our General Fund to pay for the overspending is a 'significant accomplishment".
All they did was delay the inevitable, as noted in the next sentence in the Budget Message, "In doing so it must be recognized that the property tax rate must rise in coming years as planned."
In other words, get ready, folks, because next year you're going to get hit with a tax rate increase so high you're going to scream for mercy.........
As Mayor, I will not have a vote on spending or expenses, but I hope to use my experience and skills in fiscal management to help the Council find ways to reduce our out-of-control spending to give true relief to the taxpayers. If we don't take action soon, the tax burden for some of our citizens, especially our Seniors on fixed incomes, will be beyond their ability to pay.
I have a friend here on Oak Island who is in her mid 80s who has lived here for almost 30 years. She lives on a fixed income from Social Security. An increase in her tax burden, especially considering the increase she'll be facing to pay for her sewer service, may well send her over the edge into bankruptcy and losing her home. She's already told me she would rather they had delayed building a Town Hall that's going to cost $7,000,000.00 so she's not facing being homeless.
WE HAVE TO GET THIS SPENDING UNDER CONTROL !!
PLACE YOUR VOTE IN NOVEMBER FOR COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO BELIEVE IT'S MORE IMPORTANT TO PROTECT OUR CITIZENS THAN IT IS TO HAVE MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR BUILDINGS WITH UNNECESSARY AMENITIES AND NICETIES.
