Taxes

[Bob]

The City Council voted 5-4 tonight to raise our property taxes, with Scott, Gilbert, McGary and Murphy opposing the increase.

So anybody want to buy a house in east brainerd?

[Scarlet&Gray]

Well they do have to pay some huge salaries. Just looking at some names on this list, maybe some questionable nepotism? I could be wrong but some of these salaries are pretty sweet. Congrats to the Council Members who voted against the increase. To those who voted for by all means keep enjoying your free lunches.

chattanoogan.com/articles/article_179300.asp

[gridbug]

People don't work at the City to make a fortune. They work there for good benefits and a good work environment. Any of those folks could probably leave the City for the private sector and make a good bit more.

Yes Jay, you need a better job... Maybe the City is hiring?

But in this time of recession and all the worries about falling into a second recession before recovering most of the populace is having to tighten their belts. The City needs to tighten their belts too. Yes it would cost us services we would miss, but times are rough now.

I am not a blindly devoted NO NEW TAXES type. I do not oppose every tax just because it is a tax. But IMO this budget is irresponsible and out of touch with the plight of the People of Chattanooga.

[daworm]

I am not a blindly devoted NO NEW TAXES type. I do not oppose every tax just because it is a tax. But IMO this budget is irresponsible and out of touch with the plight of the People of Chattanooga.

I am, and a "get rid of a bunch of the ones we have now" type as well. I'm actively looking to get out of the city, and am even considering leaving the county as well, even though it will cost me gas money to get to work and back (oh no, I'll destroy the environment!), which might in the end cost more than the property tax (there are other benefits, though).

Why is it that any company or individual faced with increased expenses or decreased income (or both) has to suck it up, but government doesn't have to? Every single government expenditure should be tied to the previous year's tax collections. If collections go up this year, then next year they can spend the surplus from this year. If collections go down, then next year they have to spend based on what they made this year. Adding new spending items would involve either taking away from existing items, or a tax increase that must be approved by a majority of voters. What's so wrong with that sort of system? Why is it so difficult?

[Jay]

Jul 7, 2010 6:59:35 GMT -5 @gridbug said:

Yes Jay, you need a better job... Maybe the City is hiring?

At least I don't live in the city.