Many Citizens Upset Over Proposed 47-Cent Tax Rise
posted July 10, 2008
) Photo by Wesley Schultz |
Vice Mayor Petty moved that Mr. Adams stay on for 90 days while the council advertises for a new city manager with certain credentials and experience as a city manager.
Mayor Mike Steele said the motion had not been placed on the agenda and could not be considered until the next meeting in two weeks - when the council is set to vote on the controversial tax rise.
Mayor Steele defended Mr. Adams and the tax rise, saying it would be the first in 13 years and that the city could no longer dip into surplus funds. He said some $2 million was taken from the surplus to meet the last two budgets.
He said Mr. Adams, who is also on the County Commission, is paid $60,000 by East Ridge and drives a city car with 175,000 miles on it. He said a new city manager would likely require $90,000 in pay and benefits as well as a brand-new car.
Citizen Chuck Mehan said the tax increase was necessary unless the residents forego some basic services, but a number of other citizens hit the tax rise.
Mayor Steele said East Ridge should have raised taxes last year, but didn't after the county had a tax hike.
He said there is almost no capital spending in the current budget, and "we have looked at every department" to try to find savings. He said the city has "the very minimum number of employees" and the police and fire departments are undermanned compared to other cities that size.
He said the council will see the proposed budget on Saturday at 9 a.m. for the first time. The meeting will be at the regular meeting site at city hall.
Mayor Steele said there will be a public hearing later, then there will be a vote on the budget in two weeks.
Mr. Mehan said the city's budget problems were caused by "neglect" of prior administrations.
He said, "Curtis Adams knows the buttons to push. He knows how to get the job done."
He said citizens "have a really good deal" with services for the taxes paid, and he said, "I don't think a lot of people realize the shape our budget is in."
Shirley Crabtree said her total tax bill (including county) last year of $1,407 is more than one of her monthly Social Security checks. She said, "Groceries are going up. Gas is going up. Utilities are going up. Everything is going up."
Saying she drives a 20-year-old car and is stretched to make ends meet, she said she and other older citizens might have to sell their homes at some point.
She said, "I feel hopeless and helpless."
Mayor Steele said the city is working on a plan to reimburse most of the new taxes paid by those 65 and older who make $24,000 or less. He said citizens across the state approved a senior tax freeze program by a margin of 87 percent, and in East Ridge it was 90 percent.
But Chris Smith said he is many years away from 65, and the tax burden should not be shifted on the young. He said, "I'm on a fixed income too."
Walt Hodges said he agrees that all should pay a fair share of the taxes. He said raising taxes on the young would drive them away from East Ridge.
He also said a 4 percent employee pay increase this year was excessive. He said there should be a dollar amount with most going to those on the lower end of the scale.
Mr. Hodges said city officials need to be frugal, which he said does not include "putting up a flashing sign at the interstate."
He said citizens have problems "with a perception of how this is coming about." He said Mr. Adams "made a real arrogant speech" about the tax rise.
George Rogers said he feels there is too much waste in city government, including "a lot of perks." He said some $1 million owed the city in fines ought to be collected. City officials said they have limited ability to collect most of those fines.
Mr. Rogers said City Manager Adams "drives our city car like it's his own. He drives it down to Wally's."
Mr. Adams said he only drives the car within the East Ridge city limits.
Another citizen from the audience said Mr. Adams is "double dipping."
Bill Brenneman said East Ridge is only 8.3 miles long and should not take a large municipal force.
He said it should bill itself as "the city with the lowest tax base."
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