A couple of points to clarify in Mr. Connolly's post regarding Ms.
McDonald's proposal for affordable housing.
Assessors do not "jack up" property values. By state law, assessments have
to be within a close percentage of actual sales. If assessments do not meet
this test, the City risks losing local government aid. So it actual sales
that drive the assessment values, not the City Assessor.
Ms. McDonald proposed diverting CDBG funds from the City's administrative
costs to affordable housing. Mr. Connolly asks what these funds are
currently being used for and what sort of hole would be left in the General
Fund. I am unsure how much Ms. McDonald is proposing to divert but the
portion of CDBG that goes for departmental costs are the following (2001
budget):
- Civil Rights $318,661
- Planning Department $1,072,089
- Public Works $162,498
- Communications $1,555,383
- Finance Department $452,357
- Inspections $200,000
- Health Department $4,085,891
It would be my assumption that any reduction of these revenues would require
a reduction in other General Fund activities or an increase in property
taxes although I have not had the opportunity to see the details of Ms.
McDonald's proposal. Perhaps she or someone from her campaign could respond.
Carol Becker
Longfellow
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