Bethlehem resident Bud Hackett suggested at last night's City Council meeting that, before considering a tax hike, city officials should consider operational cuts. "If you're going to ask taxpayers to pay more, how about saying we did everything we could to cut costs?" He said one Council member (that would be President Michael Colon) has told WFMZ-TV69 that Bethlehem's proposed tax hike is actually 20% lower than other comparable cities. He found Colon's attempt to minimize yet another tax hike "insulting." He went on to ask whether City Council "is a watchdog or an enabler."
That pretty much depends on which Council member. Members Rachel Leon, Grace Crampsie Smith and Wandalyn Enix are asking tough questions during budget hearings. The rest are certainly lapdogs.
One differently abled resident - I won't name him - said his taxable income is just $2,000 a month. "Where is somebody with that amount of income supposed to come up with the extra money?" he asked of the proposed tax hikes.
Dana Grubb is a former Bethlehem City employee who was defeated by Willie Reynolds in the most recent Mayoral race. He had this to say about the proposed property and sewer tax hikes:
Four things about the City's budget that jumped out for me after the mayor's Chamber of Commerce fundraiser dog and pony show breakfast on November 14 at Moravian College:
1. If the city's finance are the best they've been "in a long, long, long time," why is a property tax increase of 2.6% needed?
2. The mayor championed sustainable revenues for his budget. One time revenues like the $34.4 million in federal ARPA funding are not sustainable revenue sources. Once it's spent, what replaces it?
3. How much of the 8% increase in sewer revenues will end up in the general fund, and not be used on capital improvements for the sewer system? It's an age old trick, increase specific user fees and then use them to bolster the general fund. Politicians get to claim no or low tax increases while still filling general fund budget holes.
4. How many and which employees are receiving increases in pay above cost of living and step increases, or reclassifications? If there are any, why hasn't a Council Human Resource & Environment Committee meeting being held to address this?
Budgets in Bethlehem (and probably elsewhere) are often a huge subterfuge, and it takes City Council Members with a a sufficient financial background to root out the tricks and hidden stuff to ask the right questions.
It also doesn't help when a mayor announces a budget one day and the next day is the first budget hearing. There is no way City Council knew enough about that budget to be well prepared for that initial budget hearing.
8 comments:
All the politicians can do is raise taxes they will not cut the budget for some reason these people will spend your money like drunken sailors. We all know Government on all levels waist our money big time, we must change our system of government because it is not working. These people in office politicians do not make good decisions with our money and they never will because they are politicians and politicians do not think like a normal person.
To Grubb’s point about the timing of the first budget hearing, I would argue that the entire process needs to be moved up on the calendar, particularly the date that the budget must first be presented to the public (and council).
I’m assuming that Bethlehem has some sort of Home Rule Charter and it would have to be amended, but this is a no-brainer.
The current budget calendar is stacked against the taxpayers when a tax hike is proposed, and doesn’t offer enough time for thoughtful review even in a year where no tax increase is proposed.
On the latter point, too often taxpayers are lulled into complacency when they hear a budget has no tax hike proposed, not realizing that the programs authorized in that year will lead to an eventual tax hike down the road.
Of course, you also need elected officials who understand that point and have the financial expertise to properly review the budget. I’m not sure that such abilities currently exist among Bethlehem office holders (Administration or Council).
These posts are delicious and hilarious. It's almost as if Bethlehem didn't just have a general election where all candidates who opposed tax and fee increases were soundly defeated. There was zero drama and the results weren't close. Bethlehem Democrats raising taxes after winning the last election in a laugher, is a dog-bites-man story. The feigned indignation is rich. You had options. You just voted. Shut up and pay up.
Slick willie has a guaranteed salary, heath care, benefits and pension. (and don't forget the city car and free gas.) He has puppets in place on council. He also understands the ignorance and apathy of the voters. This issue will blow over in a few days and then he will continue with his deceit.
J. Willie and his ilk will have their day of reckoning when they reach the pearly gates, alongside the dopes who vote for them. Meanwhile, those of us who do not vote for them have to put up with them. Life is not fair.
Grubb is 100% correct on point #3. Reynolds just raised taxes and the water and sewer rates which is his way of saying, "I really had to raise your taxes more, but you aren't as smart as me and I'll just pretend you wont correlate the two togethe". Reynolds is hoping to go so far left that he wants to run as a white leftist male for US Congresss when Wild is done. God help us all!
Wee Willy wants to replace Wild in Congress when she is done? Pleeeeeeeaaaaase! He isn't that bright. Look at his overreach on the churches.
No surprise...most townships are increasing taxes if not adding new ones. Palmer township added a $20.00 dollar a month for storm sewage cost? What's next? And you wonder why people are angry at the politicians.
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