Mount Dorans - there is a PDF of a proposed tax increase out there circulating [attached], and I have received multiple copies from people objecting to the proposed increases. It's actually a textbook example of how to crank up the conservative base....a microcosm of the insanity of Washington's frenzy over raising the debt ceiling.
So I've sent out the following reply to the people who sent me the PDF, and we'll see what happens. Even so the Council meeting on the 17th will be a lively one.....
And if you don't live in Lake County, get ready for something similar as every city in the US is going through the same pain, or worse......
1/ Mount Dora city millage is presently 5.01, and as a contrast Tavares has a 6.95 rate, Eustis 5.68, Umatilla 6.88 per thousand, so Mount Dora is the lowest millage in the Triangle, and below average for the county. Check it yourself.
2/ City taxes on property are only part of the story - Lake County services, Lake County Schools and other smaller fees make up about 75% of your property tax bill so even if MD increases taxes by the attached flyer's amount [which has NOT been finalised according to someone who attended the meeting] your overall tax bill will go up over 4% overall.
3/ The average Lake County property tax for yours and all other homes in the county went down about 10% last year, and a smaller amount the year before. The City of MD therefore had to cut their budget the same percentage, and as I understand it city staff have been laid off, raises were denied three years running, pension plans were modified, vehicles were sold and other cost saving measures were done in order to maintain essential services.
Essential services that make it nice to live here.
Like the excellent waste pick-up. Like our efficient police force. Like the support for the activities [Art Show, Craft Fairs] that give Mount Dora it's character. Like our wonderful library.
This is a link to an article explaining the squeeze cities are going through because of the collapse of property values.
4/ Mount Dora has just gone through the Visioning process, planning for the future with the participation of hundreds of residents. Some of the planned tax increase will pay for infrastructure improvements because the downtown needs improvement. Badly.
So in conclusion the attachment is way premature, and unnecessarily inflammatory. It also doesn't tell the whole story, and I think we need to give our city leaders some credit for trying to do a decent job in these difficult economic times before overreacting to an internet rumour.....
Just my opinion.......
David
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