It’s always convenient when government leaders suggest that “maintaining the current tax rate” somehow means that there are “no property tax increases.” While our property value has increased, our real demand for services has not.
The graphs provided demonstrate significant growth in tax and fee revenue, much faster than population growth and inflation rates combined:
https://stories.opengov.com/frederickmd/c3eae82c-6920-40db-b8ea-3afdaf43e550/published/xWOM_5PsH?currentPageId=698e047f5b055b0f2eefd675
The proposed FY27 budget includes significant revenue increases from taxes and fees. Over many years, taxpayers have seen their tax burden rise at all local levels - by city, county, and state. This hurts employed families and small business owners who are working hard and contributing to their community. My family sacrifices and chooses to live frugally, not asking for others to pay our bills. We volunteer to build up our community and care for our neighbors. Our family is now considering relocating out of the city to escape the high tax burden, which more than ever is feeling like it outweighs the benefits of living within the city limits.
Spending is never the hard part. Budgeting, focusing on needs vs. wants, and getting creative - that’s the hard part. The question of “Why?” should be asked on every single line item every single year. Overspending by the City of Frederick should be reconsidered. For example, is it really necessary to spend $50,000 for a new SUV when a used one would suffice? Why are City taxpayers covering the burden of childcare for some children who have parents who should be taking care of their own children? Should the City really be picking and choosing a few small for-profit businesses to receive funding from taxpayers who operate their own small businesses? Shouldn’t citizens be able to decide for themselves which non-profit to support instead of the government redirecting private funds to non-government organizations? Does the City have a reserve plan for equipment replacement over time instead of relying on big investment in one-time expenditures when a surplus exists due to property values increasing?
Economic growth should be for the benefit of citizens, not of governments. The budget request this year is too high. Please reduce the size of the FY27 budget and reduce spending by the City to help ease the burden on taxpayers.
Allison Rizzo - Dearbought
It’s always convenient when government leaders suggest that “maintaining the current tax rate” somehow means that there are “no property tax increases.” While our property value has increased, our real demand for services has not.
The graphs provided demonstrate significant growth in tax and fee revenue, much faster than population growth and inflation rates combined:
https://stories.opengov.com/frederickmd/c3eae82c-6920-40db-b8ea-3afdaf43e550/published/xWOM_5PsH?currentPageId=698e047f5b055b0f2eefd675
The proposed FY27 budget includes significant revenue increases from taxes and fees. Over many years, taxpayers have seen their tax burden rise at all local levels - by city, county, and state. This hurts employed families and small business owners who are working hard and contributing to their community. My family sacrifices and chooses to live frugally, not asking for others to pay our bills. We volunteer to build up our community and care for our neighbors. Our family is now considering relocating out of the city to escape the high tax burden, which more than ever is feeling like it outweighs the benefits of living within the city limits.
Spending is never the hard part. Budgeting, focusing on needs vs. wants, and getting creative - that’s the hard part. The question of “Why?” should be asked on every single line item every single year. Overspending by the City of Frederick should be reconsidered. For example, is it really necessary to spend $50,000 for a new SUV when a used one would suffice? Why are City taxpayers covering the burden of childcare for some children who have parents who should be taking care of their own children? Should the City really be picking and choosing a few small for-profit businesses to receive funding from taxpayers who operate their own small businesses? Shouldn’t citizens be able to decide for themselves which non-profit to support instead of the government redirecting private funds to non-government organizations? Does the City have a reserve plan for equipment replacement over time instead of relying on big investment in one-time expenditures when a surplus exists due to property values increasing?
Economic growth should be for the benefit of citizens, not of governments. The budget request this year is too high. Please reduce the size of the FY27 budget and reduce spending by the City to help ease the burden on taxpayers.
Thank you