Now... about Economic Development
OK. We've got ourselves a new County Manager... good luck to Mr. Ron Brown. Let's hope that he can make something of the position, if nothing else, make it not an "interim" position.Also, we're about to bring in more funds via a property tax increase.
Here's my thought: While we're going to the well, so to speak, why not go ahead and get funds for further Economic Development?
The monies to be collected from the 1-mil increase will largely go for currently-allocated budget items -- meaning: pay current expenses.
What we need in order to mitigate and perhaps reduce FUTURE PROPERTY TAX INCREASES is to invest in economic development. This will bring in tax-paying, revenue-generating, job-creating businesses, instead of the revenue leaches that low- to mid-level housing have become.
So, while we're already upsetting the cart by asking for a 1-mil tax increase, why not go ahead and make the case for an additional one-half to one mil specifically earmarked for economic development?!
Now's the time, gentlemen! Don't just worry about our today; we need to be planning for our TOMORROW!
posted by Chris Casey @ 8:30 AM
5 Comments:
You are naive, why not just allow the tax increases to become annually pre-approved. Why not let the tax payers fund every conceiveable service the bleeding heart liberals can create! Cut service, cut service, cut service. All the commissioners should be doing is providing good roads, good fire protection, good police protection and that is about it! 2 million in the red? Sounds about like the total for their new admin building...all the while we have a jail that sits empty. Fools.
The time for economic development is certainly long overdue, but according to the TFP yesterday this proposed tax increase will total approx 23%! Our county leaders have allowed unbridled residential growth which has gotten us into this mess; we currently have an Econ. Develop. guy (whom I personally have respect for) who has brought in what businesses to offset the residential housing leaches? I am leary of funneling more money through our government for econ. develop. when Econ. Develop's recent track record leaves much to be desired (and the commissioners have yet to demonstrate an understanding of what's needed here). Perhaps we should look to Chattanooga's example (recent waterfront develop) as the way to jumpstart commercial growth.
Wow... I don't know what to say. The first comment ("anonymous" @ 9:58am) has a great point about looking at Chattanooga's Riverfront example as a "jumpstart" to commercial growth. I agree that what they did (and accomplished) was indeed visionary and an appropriate model for us to examine.
Now, about the second comment ("anonymous" at 3:37pm, but likely not the same person), I also enjoy arguing ad absurdum -- to a logical, but absurd conclusion... "pre-approved" tax increases, paying for "every conceivable service." That's funny! Very cheeky! In your world, I imagine, there must be no old people (who rely on Medicare benefits, because corporate America hasn't provided any enduring health coverage); there must be no middle aged people (such as veterans or disabled persons, who who rely on public support systems for their very livelihood); and there must be no young people (who rely on public schools, with all its challenges, not to be "left behind").
Now that I think of it, the second poster must be living in a world all by him/herself...
Knowing most of the current commissioners, I know that their main concern is providing the services that the vocal people of the county want. Those of us who would like to see the county move forward need to become more vocal so they will also hear our voice. The CAVE people are the very vocal minority. As far as I know only one commissioner has a personal agenda.
My only problem with the tax increase is that it doesn't go far enough. It is just a stop gap to the current shortfall and doesn't allow any funds for improving the long term outlook for quality jobs and quality infrastructure.
I am sure that I could identify the last anonymous person and he is young. Still wet behind the ears. Still knows everything.
A tax increase now by the Catoosa Board of Commissioners is a bad idea.
The last 3 years of spending has resulted in a $3.5 million+ increase in the reserve fund.
How can the Commissioners justify spending about $1.2 million that will not be added to the reserve PLUS another 1 mill tax of $1.4 million.
Gracy and Emberson have pushed for property tax increases every year; even when the reserve was building!
Tax and spend is all they know from their family school histories.
Ken Marks should know better and hopefully will tighten his belt. Bill Clark and Bobby Winters are the two Commissioners that are asking the reasonable questions and are against tax increases.
Ask Marks to vote NO to tax increases.
Thanks
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