Unanimous Decision–Taxpayers Lose Again!!
Councilman Bastian,
Shortly before you made the motion at the July 28th meeting to allow a property tax increase of over 6.9% next year, a lot of lip service was paid to the plight of taxpayers in the private sector. Mayor Green and Councilman Burnett observed that private sector wages have not recovered much since the recent recession and that, in general, the recovery is a weak one. They said they were hesitant to support a tax increase under these circumstances, but, as expected, everyone on council still voted with you on the increase.
I’m so used to watching what you do and ignoring what you say that I almost forgot about your comment of a few moments earlier and had to go back and make sure I heard you correctly (see video below). You said that many city employees are also homeowners, and would thus be also affected by the tax increase before the Council, and that these employees’ wages were not going up either. I don’t know what figures you’re looking at but the ones I have show that over approximately the past ten years compensation for city employees has risen, on average, close to 30 percent–something which is a dream for most people in the private sector.
What is even more disturbing is that you seem to somehow equate the taxes paid by government workers with those paid by private sector workers even though the two are fundamentally different. Government workers can no more live off their own taxes than I can feed myself by eating my own body parts. The private sector is always required to support government and continuing to raise taxes without end will ultimately hurt us all.
I realize that not everyone agrees with me on this point and for those interested in a challenging second opinion I would suggest starting with the works of Friedrich Engels and Karl Marx.
Well the handwriting is on the wall. The people of Port Orange are about to pay the price for foolishly voting in 3 former city employee to serve on the city council.
I just love to watch how they all make their obnoxious speech’s how we should keep local taxes low and then a few minutes later vote to raise taxes
I suppose because of all the wasted finances in the City of Port Orange government because of “mistakes” it was inevitable that the city council would need to raise taxes to maintain the “vision of Port Orange” which the constructiion mayor enjoys. It would also be understandable that Drew Bastian would like to see more city revenue which might help a little towards alleviating the strains of public service salaries and pension costs. In the past it has seemed that money set aside for drainage problems could be used for other financial needs, and at times with no records or accountability. The candy store is open for all who are use to an unlimited supply of free delights provided by the taxpayers. It is so hard to close down this “take what you want” candy store which most taxpayers have no access to. But the Cypress Head Community has done pretty well. Was that built by ICC homes developer?
Councilman Stiltner had once told me that most city employees do not live in Port Orange.
It is too much to expect the city council to take a clue about the mood of taxpayers from national politics . There are times that councilman Ford speaks for the average citizen, and always times that Ted Noftall speaks for what is fair for taxpayers.
Bastian, Stiltner and Burnette are disappointments. I think the Chamber of Commerce and soccer moms like Burnette. Also there is a number of religious people enchanted with Stiltner and Burnette. Regarding the Mayor, as they say in New York “Forget about it!” I am still waiting and watching for the prayers before city council meetings to provide the council members with wisdom granted from a God. Any God would surfice but not the false idols that have been previously been put before the city council. Maybe it will take a miracle or a novena to get the 4 out of 5 city council people to start thinking of citizens first and lastly. But I think they are doing well on getting the grass cut although via costly city workers some on Sunday overtime, and replacing the light bulbs on sidewalks along Dunlawton ave. I guess I should be grateful for those herculean efforts, be respectful and optimistic. I had been optimistic about Stiltner and Burnette but am no longer. Of course my optimisim points towards Ted Noftall, the irreverent guy, bold, factual, ever reminding, tenacious, persistent, who was called a bad citizen and an ass by the Mayor. Any one who is disliked by some in the city council tends to point out for us who is a “necessary evil” for the council to contend with, but a hero for hard working tax payers. Oh, excuse me, I should call them “investors” in the Mayor’s visions for Port Orange
Keep telling it like it is Hank. There all giving away free candy but but you and I had to buy it for them.
It’s probably expecting too much of the council to understand Gardner’s arguments about private versus public jobs but here is something even they can comprehend. At the rate of tax increase proposed by Bastian, heartily seconded by Burnett, and supported by the rest of the Lemming family that we call our representatives, it will take less than ten and a half years to DOUBLE OUR TAXES. If any of those guys are allowed to hold public office ever again the citizens of Port Orange should be ashamed.
Remember this at election time in 2016 in the event either of these two have Mayoral aspirations.
I don’t know what all the fuss is about, when I moved here in 2010 Port Orange millage rate was over 5 mils, it was higher a few years before that. Since I’ve been here it’s gone down steadily, it currently sits at 4.458 mils, the proposed rate will cost the average owner less then 2 dollars a month. The city provides more services to me now then they did in 2010. And most areas are looking better than they have in a while. The elected officials are doing a good job, Port Orange is a very safe attractive city. Get off these guys backs and do something positive and constructive for crying out loud, Riverwalk is coming out of the ground and we still have the third lowest millage rate in the county.
Dan,
Your observation is well received, it is just what the people who would have our tax rate at 7.5 mills want everyone to think. Your home is worth more and your taxes are more, their are more homes and more commercial developments paying city taxes. The Roll Back Rate expresses the millage rate to keep the same revenue. Before you arrived here in 10 our city and county leaders kept the same millage rates and proclaimed they did not raise taxes, while property values soared, tax revenue increased while no one was watching. Government was not frugal or wise with our money, things were bought, facilities built, that we are struggling to maintain. You are right we have seen some improvements in our look but we are a long way from what we were and should be.
We should not look at the mil rate and be happy it is only going up a little when it could have been going down. If we were not paying for catch up work, neglect and waste.
Did you notice the average water bill in the city went up about 10% after a 3% rate increase? And that with no indication of insufficient revenue and admittedly without an physical inventory assessment of the infrastructure needs, and still unresolved issues with inaccurate meters. Again this was only 3 or 4 dollars a month but should it have happened? Proposed is a plan that would increase the rates 3% or so a year for the next decade or more. Unless you are a government pension retiree your chances of a consistent 3% a year income increase is slim. Social Security has not done that since 2010, private sector pay has not either, even with the Florida minimum wage being tied to inflation.
Newton White
Newton@newtonwhite.org
Yes I am aware that the water went up a bit as well, mine was about 6%, it’s not a big issue for me, I moved from the Panhandle and my water bill up there is about 40% higher for the same amount, even after this slight increase. My research revealed that Port Orange hasn’t raised water rates since 2007-2008, and digging further I found that we are still far less than our neighboring cities. Lets put this in perspective, lower water rates, lower millage rates than surrounding cities and still a few people are complaining. I don’t get it. Maybe those who are whining should move to South Daytona, Daytona, or Holly Hill and pay 7 mils or more to get less services.
I also know that Mr. White and Mr. Noftall have both ran for office before and weren’t successful, I do appluad them for thier efforts and respect them for that, but my observations are that Mr. Noftall is not the answer as Mayor. He appears to be able to get more accomplished as a citizen. I happen to like living here, and I realize that services go up over time and I am not afraid to pay for great services. Port Orange is not perfect, but from what I’ve seen the elected officials and most all city employees are doing a great job. I appreciate each and every one of them. Thanks for listening.
Amen Dan.
You wish Dan Frederick.
When I think about how much Ted has accomplished a citizen I can’t wait to see what he will accomplish as the next Mayor.
Ted is very serious about cleaning up the corruption and incompetence that abounds in City Hall and that is something we should all welcome..
You wish, when you start accusing people of being corrupt or incompetent I hope you can and will show proof of what you speak of. Being corrupt is in most cases criminal, reveal your proof or stop throwing around accusations. I hope you realize that Mr. Noftall, if elected as Mayor can not make a motion or second a motion, so unless the others agree with his beliefs he will be ineffective.
Ted – ineffective. You wish Dan Frederick.
What Ted will be able to do is argue his positions from the dais in a forthright manner that the others will have to deal with be it in support or in opposition.
The days of never discussing issues forthrightly will be over and if Ted does not prevail on an issue it won’t be for lack of passion in that debate. .
Dan,
If your water only went up 6% total you are in the group that uses a good deal of water. The point is not that our water or tax mill rate is low (your point concedes it to be too low) compared to our neighbors, but that our neighbors rates are too high. Water in west Volusia does not require the processing ours does and yet they have higher rates. Yes our mill rate is lower than others and we should look to keep it that way and maintain a high level of appearance and government services that we appreciate. I has a political candidate was and am tired of hearing somebody charges more as a rational that our city needs to charge or spend more. We have a lot of room to create synergistic savings between works and utilities, upgrade and replacement of antiquated outdated equipment and software in all departments, all will bring benefit and savings to the city taxpayer.
Newton White
NewtonWhite.org
Dan please tell me who you think would be a good mayor??
Bob Ford would be excellent, from the names that are currently rumored, I don’t think any of them would be good for Port Orange.
Nice choice Dan. At least I know I am speaking with someone with some logic. With that being said, Ford is not running I hear. I believe he might endorse Noftall. So if your choices were : Kennedy, Burnette, Noftall, Sonya (not sure of last name these days), Little Green or Pohlman……would you vote???
So how do we measure fitness and temperament to be mayor? Forensic grasp of the issues, dedicated attendance at council meetings, intellectual curiosity,
voting record, academic background, documented abilities in the private sector, long term successful small business owner, someone who has made a payroll for decades, insistence on fiscal responsibility for the taxpayer, due diligence on city projects and their impact on budgets, both short and long term. Seems to me if one were looking for candidates to hire for mayor i.e. individuals deserving of our votes, these items would be objective benchmarks to examine for any fair minded person.
Ted Noftall can hit the ground running from Day One..no learning curve for this boy. Who else can match him in any of these categories?