GAINESVILLE - Gainesville City Council passed their FY2011 budget with two taxpayers leveling criticism for bringing a tax increase to property holders during a recession economy.
The vote was 3-2, with Councilman Bob Hamrick joining George Wangemann casting a no vote. Hamrick said $14-million the tax hike resulted from Council's acceptance last year of a five year federal grant which funded 18 new fire fighters, but Ann Greer said it was the wrong move.
"The federal grant money that was taken and spent has now come back to bite you," Greer said.
Fire Chief Jon Canada brought the new fire fighters with him to the council meeting and defended the grant, saying it met personnel needs and saved the city money.
"It saved us $2-million over five years," Canada said. "This is a grant that allowed us to do something that was in our long term planning."
Property owner Bill Morrison said when income goes down in bad economic times government should 'shrink' and taxes should go down.
Councilman Bob Hamrick joined George Wangemann in casting a no vote. Hamrick said $14-million dollars in surplus revenue could erase the need for a tax increase
"The audit report states that there's $14-million that's not unappropriated, undesignated funds, Hamrick said.
Mayor Ruth Bruner said Council went over city finances with a â
Friday
October 18th, 2024
6:16PM
