Coppell's city staff put together 5 different scenarios for discussion, ranging from no taxes raised next year to the full 5 cent increase. Each scenario also proposed different tax increases in year 2 and possibility year 3.
The meeting began around 630p and went to 930p and at the end of the night, there seemed to be a compromise met by at least 4 council members. A 2.5 cent property tax increase next year and 2.5 cent property tax increase the following year.
Marvin Franklin led discussion on how a zero tax increase next year made sense as it was one of the fiscally prudent scenarios presented by city staff and that any tax increases for next year wasn't a good solution. Mr. Franklin spent lots of time relaying the voices of Coppell and that if it didn't make fiscal sense to not raise taxes next year, why would the City Council vote in favor of an increase (?).
Both Marsha Tunnell and Tim Branchaeu both worried that another year of no tax increases for debt service for the Northlake bond issuance would be another year that citizens would forget about the debt. Ms. Tunnell said she was in favor of a compromise of a 2.5/2.5 cent increase over the next two years and wouldn't be a City Council that would back down due to an email, name calling campaign or mass hysteria of citizens.
It is very important that you show up at the City Council meeting on Tuesday night. You will have an opportunity to speak and share your thoughts after signing up for Public Hearing item #13.
I will say that tonight was disappointing because increasing taxes next year, even 2.5 cents doesn't make sense when the money is there to pay the debt service without this increase.
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Why is it when people exercise there DEMOCRATIC RIGHT to speak up and tell their government officials that they do not agree or disapprove of their actions.. They accuse the people of not knowing what we are talking about, or capable of understanding the very complicated government "stuff"! Why is it when we question their actions "WE THE PEOPLE" are getting caught up in a "mass hysteria".
ReplyDeleteI am disgusted how our city council appeals to our "intelligence" to get voted into office and now when the people voice their opinion our intelligence is being called into question.
I for one will take my lack of intelligence and inability to understand the issues to the voting polls. See you Tuesday night!!!
My sentiments, exactly. I will say this however, it seems from the review of the budget workshop that some of the council members have heard us. Now, let's talk about a downward adjustment is our tax rate that more closely resembles some of our (fiscally) responsible neighboring cities?
ReplyDeleteA few thoughts about the council meeting last night. I was not able to attend and only able to catch on television the end of the public comment portion. Most importantly, I watched all of the council members provide their commentary afterwards. Some of the council "members" were very condescending. However, I may have (previously) unfairly judged Councilman Franklin as he showed great boldness in taking a public stand against a tax increase near term. He also provided some insight into where the real influence may lie. No pay raise for city staff was not what the city manager wanted to hear. Maybe we should dig into the city staff a bit and determine what the real agenda might be. Food for thought.
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