We wouldn't be here were it not for a period of mass insanity, or just an intense wave of polyannishness, quite a while ago, but here we are. And where is that?
Destruction from within.
The bureaucrats, and at least one elected official, trying to figure out how to walk away for foundational commitments to fiscal prudence, and modify the city charter to allow them to up taxes when they want, however much they want.
One elected official has espoused the view that these changes are a "back door" tax increase, while another asserts it is a full frontal assault. Perhaps they are both right. It is a back door if by that you mean that bureaucrats can raise taxes without putting that to a citizens' vote. This is what is being proposed in the case of special tax districts, capital bonds and "revenue bonds" which sound a lot like payday loans and probably as responsible. Another perspective is this is being writ large in black and white, so there is no back door to it all all, this is pushing the ballot box out of the way by force.
This does raise some questions, especially for those who "fell for it" back in the day. Is this what you were promised to get your vote? Didn't think so. And what about those special task districts? What do you think will happen there? Very likely you will see a growing number of them, not necessarily restricted to commercial districts. Imagine this: some bureaucrats decide that if folks in residential areas want cops to ticket speeders in their neighborhood, well, then, they'll call that a special tax district, jack up the taxes, and then maybe, just maybe, actually write some tickets. Or, maybe not. After all that is what the promised to do to get your vote. And, money is fungible, so they'll just be displacing the other tax revenues to their playthings.
This has gotten out of [our] control.
The only voice of reason, the only ounce of integrity at city hall comes from King John. You would do well to listen to him.
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