the Controversial Committee Report
“We don’t raise sacred cows...we just butcher them.”
“Relief x 2?”
Well, dear readers, it is really heartening to see all the folks of ‘beautiful downtown Irving’ coming together to assist with Irving’s newest group of temporary citizens.
An enormous effort has been underway to provide a modicum of relief for hurricane Harvey evacuees. Utilizing city resources and staff, individual and organizational volunteers, the basic and fundamental needs of evacuees form the Gulf Coast are being provided in a safe haven.
The amazing factor in this equation is the realization relief was needed by so many. And Irving’s finest stepped forward to provide that needed relief. With all the extra effort being exerted by meaningful individuals, life in the city was not disrupted and various sectors of the city worked to achieve a common goal…provide relief for those in need.
While some might contend the following portion of the report verges on being political, the intent is to again emphasize the need of ‘beautiful downtown Irving’ citizens now seeking tax relief from the ever increasing flow of bucks from their wallets.
A previous CCR report (08-28-17) detailed the fallacy of the city council’s talking points as to why they need to reap the increased flow of revenues associated with the egregious increase in 2017 appraised property values. The CCR report also noted the city’s tax payers needed relief and the only way this could be provided was to reduce the 2017-18 tax rate.
At the present time, there is only one council member, Oscar Ward, pushing to reduce the city’s tax rate. The reduction he has proposed would be a change from the current tax rate to the effective tax rate. While this is a good move, the reduction to city revenues is almost insignificant. There would probably be enough loose change in the city manager’s proposed budget to cover this tax rate reduction without breaking a sweat.
Remember, a tax rate reduction doesn’t include the increased fees citizens will be paying for city services…water, sewer and garbage collection. These increases are a stand alone issue which will drain additional bucks from tax payer's wallets.
Councilman Ward could use your assistance. It seems as if the significant and valid points he has made to reduce the tax rate are falling on deaf ears of eight council members.
Your support of reducing the tax rate for these deaf ears might just be the voice they need to hear. And you can register your verbal opinions on Thursday, September 7, 2017, 7:00 p.m. when the council holds a public forum to address the 2017-18 city budget and tax rate. The forum will be at Irving City hall.
And if you cannot attend the hearing this week, the final public hearing to discuss the budget and tax rate will be held September 14, 2017. However, at this stage of the game the council will be fairly committed with what transpires after September 7, 2017, and changes are unlikely to be made.
For those with a public speaking phobia, send your elected officials an e-mail and register your thoughts as to why they should provide tax payers relief by reducing the tax rate. The e-mail addresses to register your opinions are:
Irving City Council and City Manager
John Danish jcdanish@juno.com
Brad LaMorgese blamorgese@sbcglobal.net
Allan Meagher ameagher@cityofirving.org
David Palmer david.palmer1@verizon.net
Phil Riddle priddle@cityofirving.org
Rick Stopfer rick@rickleads.com
Kyle Taylor ktaylor@cityofirving.org
Dennis Webb webbdennis7@gmail.com
and city manager:
Chris Hillman chillman@cityofirving.org
When writing to council members, be kind. Be factual and non-condescending. And remember, it’s okay to remind them citizens are at the helm steering this ship of state community with their votes…not the bureaucracy, special interest, or cronies looking for a handout.
Updating the old Alka Seltzer® commercial, “relief is just a 'tax reduction' away.”
Updating the old Alka Seltzer® commercial, “relief is just a 'tax reduction' away.”
……………………………….Mark Holbrook
