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Post by Kyle Mitchell on Nov 13, 2013 7:55:51 GMT -6
$138,000.00 committed to a fountain a couple months ago and now they feel they need to raise taxes? Are they planning more park amenities and fountains in other parks?
A fountain would be nice, if we had enough funds to pay for it, to provide for enforcement of our laws and to take care of their dilapidated dangerous building. It really seems to me like a mismanagement of funds to be spending on amenities that we can't afford.
Maybe they should just ask for more donations from their friends with deep pockets to cover their $60,000 shortage.
They say it is just a consideration now, but I am sure that if Nicholson is pushing it, other club members will support him. When is that retirement party?
I find it interesting that they are considering 4.99% to avoid Truth in Taxation requirements.
I really think we need new leadership here.
Streator officials consider tax levy increase
11/12/2013, 11:33 pm
Streator city officials have recommended an increase in the amount of taxes the city will ask for, but the City Council remains undecided.
The City Council debated at a committee of the whole meeting Tuesday whether to keep the tax levy the same or to increase it by 4.99 percent to offset the loss of $60,000 to the city's general fund.
The council will establish a preliminary amount at the next council meeting and finalize the levy in December.
An increase of 5 percent or more would require a Truth in Taxation public hearing.
Finance Director Pamela Leonard presented two estimates to the council, one at no increase to the tax levy and one with an increase of 4.99 percent.
The city has not increased the amount it has collected in the past three years, said City Manager Paul Nicholson. Leonard said if the levy is increased the city would come out with $75,000 more in its general fund, which is used to operate the majority of city functions.
Leonard and Nicholson both recommended the council go with the increase.
Once the council sets a levy it cannot be increased, but the city is not committed to that amount. The council can collect less through February and reduce the tax rate, Nicholson said.
The council was not in agreement at the end of the discussion. Members will vote for a preliminary levy at next week's meeting.
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Post by dive61364 on Nov 13, 2013 8:01:44 GMT -6
Streator is one of the highest taxed city in lasalle county. this comes to no surprise to me.
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Post by Kyle Mitchell on Nov 13, 2013 8:17:23 GMT -6
Since people just keep leaving and not much property sells, forcing them to sit empty until tax payers have to tear them down or the owners donate them to the city, creating even less tax revenue, I am not surprised either. I've been saying that the demolition budget will need to be greatly increased.
Maybe we should start doing things differently?
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Post by seaturtle43 in hostile forum on Nov 13, 2013 8:28:35 GMT -6
maybe if everyone putting money into the gambling machines here in town each contributed a few bucks that would add up to a lot of money!
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Post by Kyle Mitchell on Nov 13, 2013 9:00:28 GMT -6
Which tax exactly are they increasing? Property taxes? Sales tax? What? I thought they had a newfound windfall in the gambling revenue. MORE MORE MORE...makes me wanna puke. It is property taxes. I think they spent the windmill money in advance. When one of those projects fell through, the gambling revenue made up for part of it, but still leaves us short. I think they knew that this shortage was coming before committing $138,000 for the fountain. Either way, I don't think it is good management to commit to fountains and band shell payments without taking care of priorities like enforcement of laws and bringing jobs, to create an environment that more people would want to live in. |
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Post by father of two on Nov 13, 2013 9:04:31 GMT -6
As Masked Man said, the income from the legal gambling should cover the shortfall. $7,000 for September. If the city receives even $5,000 a month it covers it.
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Post by dumdave on Nov 13, 2013 9:34:42 GMT -6
Texas is so proud that they don't have an income tax.
But the local school districts and municipalities have to make up for it by having high property taxes.
Death and taxes folks. Happens to us all. There is no free rides.
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Post by Kyle Mitchell on Nov 13, 2013 9:39:12 GMT -6
From Facebook:
William Phelan - Streator City Council
The biggest news out of yesterday's COW meeting is that the council will be voting on a preliminary 4.99% property tax increase at next week's meeting.
The city has seen nearly a $10 million decrease in its property tax base since last year. This tax increase, which I argued against, is in response to that drastic drop in property taxes.
I do not believe that when the people of the city are getting poorer, as evidenced by the overall decrease in wealth demonstrated by lower property values, that this is the time for higher taxes.
I suggested that instead of constantly talking about ways to increase revenue streams, the city take a harder looking at cutting expenses.
The counter argument was that this tax increase is only preliminary and it can be lowered if the city does not need the money. However, in my experience, when you set limits you are forced to come up with more creative solutions to problems. Voting for this increase gives the city an easy fallback position.
Overall, the city's finances are in pretty good shape, and that is precisely why I am an uncomfortable asking for a tax raise when the overall economy in this city is still struggling.
I keep hearing about property values recovering other places. I also keep hearing about more good people leaving Streator.
I wonder if it'll be another 4-1 vote.
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Post by dog on Nov 13, 2013 9:45:01 GMT -6
$138,000.00 committed to a fountain a couple months ago and now they feel they need to raise taxes? Are they planning more park amenities and fountains in other parks? A fountain would be nice, if we had enough funds to pay for it, to provide for enforcement of our laws and to take care of their dilapidated dangerous building. It really seems to me like a mismanagement of funds to be spending on amenities that we can't afford. Maybe they should just ask for more donations from their friends with deep pockets to cover their $60,000 shortage. They say it is just a consideration now, but I am sure that if Nicholson is pushing it, other club members will support him. When is that retirement party? I find it interesting that they are considering 4.99% to avoid Truth in Taxation requirements. I really think we need new leadership here. Streator officials consider tax levy increase 11/12/2013, 11:33 pm Streator city officials have recommended an increase in the amount of taxes the city will ask for, but the City Council remains undecided. The City Council debated at a committee of the whole meeting Tuesday whether to keep the tax levy the same or to increase it by 4.99 percent to offset the loss of $60,000 to the city's general fund. The council will establish a preliminary amount at the next council meeting and finalize the levy in December. An increase of 5 percent or more would require a Truth in Taxation public hearing. Finance Director Pamela Leonard presented two estimates to the council, one at no increase to the tax levy and one with an increase of 4.99 percent. The city has not increased the amount it has collected in the past three years, said City Manager Paul Nicholson. Leonard said if the levy is increased the city would come out with $75,000 more in its general fund, which is used to operate the majority of city functions. Leonard and Nicholson both recommended the council go with the increase. Once the council sets a levy it cannot be increased, but the city is not committed to that amount. The council can collect less through February and reduce the tax rate, Nicholson said. The council was not in agreement at the end of the discussion. Members will vote for a preliminary levy at next week's meeting. As much as I hate an increase in taxes, lets be fair here too. In your article it did state that the council has asked for the max allowable in the past and decided on a lesser amount or in the case of the last 3 years, no increase. You could also get a council that requests a 4.99% increase every year and then adopts that amount with no public input what so ever. I am thankful that this council exercises good judgment. I would bet my bottom dollar that in the preliminary stages of this fountain deal that they had donations lined up before it was presented on the council floor. Also, I have serious doubts that $138,000 would have even paid to demolish one downtown building or a couple of houses, when you figure in all the costs involved. |
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Post by dive61364 on Nov 13, 2013 10:11:55 GMT -6
finally someone that thinks outside the box. instead of looking for ways to raise money Mr. Phelan hit the nail on the head with his statement below.
"I suggested that instead of constantly talking about ways to increase revenue streams, the city take a harder looking at cutting expenses."
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Post by cityslicker on Nov 13, 2013 10:27:11 GMT -6
Let us cut the salaries, negotiate the union contracts when due. Sell he golf course and pavilion, quit taking all of these free poisoned properties, and lay off some clerk. What do you think, wet willy?
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Post by dog on Nov 13, 2013 10:53:45 GMT -6
finally someone that thinks outside the box. instead of looking for ways to raise money Mr. Phelan hit the nail on the head with his statement below. "I suggested that instead of constantly talking about ways to increase revenue streams, the city take a harder looking at cutting expenses." I would agree that is a fair assessment. Now what cuts would everyone suggest and how much expense would that particular cut save? Don't just throw a suggestion out there without including a dollar value. |
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Post by no1inparticular on Nov 13, 2013 10:56:16 GMT -6
Here's the problem I have with the proposed increase -
NOTHING has happened in Streator to actually "raise" the value of any property, thus there's no actual justification to increase the property tax...
In fact, more has happened in Streator to decrease property values, much of which goes ignored until the city is forced to deal with it...
Case in point, there's a burned out house on Cotton Street that has not been roped off, sealed for safety, or torn down...What happens if one of the neighbors wanted to sell their home?...Their property value would surely go down upon notice of the "blight" on the block, essentially screwing that seller out of earned equity...
Top that off with the lack of jobs and amenities, and I'd say that the city would be shooting themselves in the foot...
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Post by oldtimer on Nov 13, 2013 11:14:03 GMT -6
finally someone that thinks outside the box. instead of looking for ways to raise money Mr. Phelan hit the nail on the head with his statement below. "I suggested that instead of constantly talking about ways to increase revenue streams, the city take a harder looking at cutting expenses." I would agree that is a fair assessment. Now what cuts would everyone suggest and how much expense would that particular cut save? Don't just throw a suggestion out there without including a dollar value. A $60k budget deficit is basically one full time position when benefits are figured in. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 13, 2013 11:15:13 GMT -6
Here's the problem I have with the proposed increase - NOTHING has happened in Streator to actually "raise" the value of any property, thus there's no actual justification to increase the property tax... In fact, more has happened in Streator to decrease property values, much of which goes ignored until the city is forced to deal with it... Case in point, there's a burned out house on Cotton Street that has not been roped off, sealed for safety, or torn down...What happens if one of the neighbors wanted to sell their home?...Their property value would surely go down upon notice of the "blight" on the block, essentially screwing that seller out of earned equity... Top that off with the lack of jobs and amenities, and I'd say that the city would be shooting themselves in the foot... U are so correct on what u are saying here. Come in our neighborhood. see the empty houses, houses that are section 8 and look like they should be tore down. I see a lot of House with crap and I mean crap sitting out in there yard. What for why arent they told to clean it up? I keep my kitchen curtains closed for I cant stand to see what I see next door. Im sure that brings our property down. |
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