Another year, another Beutler budget with no property tax increases. I'm surprised, honestly. I figured this was the year. Instead the budget relies on dropping a few services, privatizing others, and the classic government trick of moving cash from one pot to another while hoping that doesn't come back to bite us down the road.
I'm still thinking about various components of the budget, but one thing has always jumped out at me during these budget discussions. Why aren't City pools profitable? That's not an accusation disguised as a question. I really don't know, and I would like to. It seems like swimming pools should be able to pay for themselves. Clearly I don't understand something about the economics of pool operation. What am I missing?
Anyway, what are your overall thoughts on this latest budget proposal?
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I think a minor property tax hike would have been an okay thing to help balance things, but the anti-arena people would have jumped in with, “SEE? I told you so!” so fast it would have made everyone’s head swim.
Exactly.
Doesn’t that statement pretty much endorse the anti-arena argument?
Not hardly. It costs more money to operate any business or city each year. Therefore, you need to raise revenue each year. And, if property values don’t go up then the tax rate on the property needs to increase. Or, you cut services just like Mayor Beutler is doing.
One has nothing to do with the other. The imbalance in the next budget wouldn’t have been gone even if we voted “No” on the arena.
Don’t let facts get in the way of your narrative.
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