Education budgets, teacher contracts, city services, employee reductions, property taxes, foreclosures, and income taxes. Wow, could it be any more complex or emotional for Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County residents? Comments reflecting resentment like (Saline teachers union President Tim) Heim’s, “Teachers should not bear the brunt of balancing the budget, especially after the voters declined to hurt their financial position through taxes,” reflect a “not in my backyard” attitude.
Allow me to remind Mr. Heim that 44 Washtenaw County families lost their backyards to property tax foreclosures this year, up from 11 in 2008. Some 12,000 homes are currently in tax default, up from 6,000 in 2008.
I don’t think teachers are being asked to “bear the brunt” of budget shortfalls, but immunization from this economic pandemic isn’t reasonable either. Likewise, administration officials need to consider all non-classroom/teacher cost reductions as a first tier approach to balancing their budgets.
I seem to remember being taught to share in my early public education. Everybody gives or everybody loses.
On a similar note, (Ann Arbor City Administrator) Roger Fraser’s comment that “A city income tax isn’t being proposed because there’s little support in the community” is irresponsible.
I urge both city and county leadership to stop making revenue source decisions for the electorate. Put a city income tax on the ballet, we just might surprise you. There is minimal financial risk. The primary political opposition to a city income tax seems to be related to the rental community.
I recommend we let “fair market value” take care of the rental opposition. I want city leadership to take care of the hand that feeds them, property owners and property taxes. Fair and equitable revenue sources and living within our means should be the goal to strive for.
Frank Dalimonte Ann Arbor
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