Protest thwarting higher taxes
By Lee Melsek
lmelsek@gmail.com


Final public hearing at 5 p.m. Monday Sept. 14

Protests by islanders against higher taxes appears to be having an impact on town and fire department officials.
Both of those governments appear to be backing away from raising the tax rate as high as they had previously indicated.
The town council had planned for at least the past month to raise the town property tax rate to ,.867 mills in order to raise $ 180,000 more than last year's property tax revenues produced. But some council members backed off after hearing from residents opposing that idea. The council now appears to be settling on the roll back rate of .81 mills, which would raise the same amount as last year.But that means forgoing about $140,000 in additional money for Bay Oaks Park, which the town must take over on Oct.

1. The town staff had recommended the additional taxes to ensure enough money to operate Bay Oaks and the pool. The staff was surprised when the council backed off on Sept. 9. Town Manager Jack Green said he now must find other places to get the money he believes is needed to ensure success in park operations.

The council will hold it's final public hearing on the tax rate and budget on Sept. 21 at 6:30 p.m. at town hall.

Meanwhile, our fire district commissioners also appear to be backing off their attempt to raise their property tax rate increase. They had advertised a hike from 1.99 mills to the legal maximum of 3 mills. But a good turnout at their Sept. 4 public hearing may have changed that. They appear now to be looking at a lower rate. They'll hold their final public hearing at 5 p.m. Monday Sept. 14 at the fire station on Donora.

Want to respond to this coulumn? E-mail Lee Melsek with your own opinions. lmelsek@gmail.com



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