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Here is a link to the Monona proposed 2010-2014 capital plan here: View the File.
The critical years are 2010 and 2011. The city will do a borrowing in early 2010 to fund these projects (a a small number are already funded from the prior borrowing, e.g. the fire radios). As proposed the capital plan would add $300,000 to the debt service levy (if my calculations are correct that would increase the total 2010 city levy by roughly 5.6%). We are locked into many of the projects, but at this point I think we need to look for some cuts.
The council had a lengthy and detailed review of the plan last night. I have to say that the projects are sound proposals that have been carefully considered by staff and vetted by the respective city committees.
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
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No more tax increases! I for one can't wait to get out Monona (and WI). House goes on sale in 3 months. The tax burden is just too much. I've lived all over and services here may be a little better, but don't justify the taxes. I'd rather live elsewhere and use the money saved to put kids through school.
ReplyDeleteBye Anon. If you want government services, good schools for your children, and a nice, clean neighborhood to live in, you'll have to pay for it one way or another. Or you can live in the middle of nowhere, with zero services to speak of, and miles from the nearest grocery store and pay almost nothing in taxes.
ReplyDeleteTake your pick.
@Travis
ReplyDeleteHow come other states like Colorado (much lower property taxes and smaller income tax) can provide all of this and not tax you to death? We are one of the worst and I don't think its all going to schools. Property taxes went up 9% a year or two ago. Now, we're talking about another significant increase.
I haven't had a raise in 3 years, but am thankful just to have a job. I'm saying that cities have to cut services or come up with other ways to make ends meet.
My taxes did shoot up about 10% 3 years ago too, but that was after a referendum which the community voted for. Every other year it goes up about 3-4%.
ReplyDeleteIt sucks not getting a raise, but inflation doesn't care about anyone, and the 4% is pretty close to inflation. My private run insurance has gone up 25% in 2 years, that's much more then the worst 2 years of property taxes in both percent and out of pocket costs.
Nor do I don't think a City should plan on tax increases based upon the economy. The measurement of the economy doesn't seem to reflect average people. 2000-2006 was supposedly "unprecedented growth" yet my wages and retirement plans were pretty flat. And if the City cuts back when times are tough, would anyone really want them to do huge increase because "the economy is doing great!"
Of course I do believe the elected officials should be constantly looking at ways to save money, and cut underused programs. And compared to my family who live in Madison, Monona seems to be doing better (property taxes in Monona are about $500 less on similar size property), and I would much rather send my kids to MG over the Madison Schools.
Lastly, like Travis said, the taxes may be lower in other states, but they pass on the charges as huge fees: $500 each year for license plates, $2 per bag of garbage, $.80 for every 20 miles driving on the toll. Maybe this is good, because it would encourage people to be more thrifty (do I really need 4 cars), but I sure get annoyed when I drive to Chicago and cross the state line.
To the original Anon - I just received my property taxes (and breakdown) for 2009:
ReplyDeleteState of WI: $36.24
Dane County: $544.86
City of Monona: $1091.18
School District: $2178.35
MATC: $280.36
Just under $1,100 goes to the City of Monona. Everything else goes somewhere else, including almost $2,200 to the local school district. If you think that $1,100 is too much to pay for fire, police, ambulance services, garbage/recycling/leaf collection, upkeep on the parks, road clearing in the winter, city administration, etc, well... I don't really know what to tell you.