[Winona Online Democracy] Stephen,
Thanks for responding on line. I do realize I simplified what I said but not my primary message. That being, when local government units desire to build new or expand their existing buildings it most often means they want to add people. Adding people expands the roll of government and that added cost is outside of COLA percentages to the prior year. Most business and personal income is tied closer to COLA than the increases seen in the public sector. Capping government to a COLA index would control government's role and more important payroll costs and the taxes needed in all forms to pay for it. One additional comment "Budgets" while important are only someone's best guess. The actual numbers are the only true report card. Better yet ---having actual revenues over budget and actual expenses under budget should put them on the honor roll. Paul Double -----Original Message----- From: Stephen Hacken [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, February 06, 2006 4:08 PM You have really oversimplified this. You are correct in that there are often more sources of income than just taxes. But the following is a scenario when the levy is much higher than the budgeted expense amount. Last Year Budget: $30,000,000 This Year Budget: $31,000,000 % Increase : 3.33% Last Year Other Income: $18,000,000 Last Year Levy: $12,000,000 This Year Other Income: $18,000,000 This year Levy: $13,000,000 % Increase in Levy: 8.33% At least in county government, the above example is much closer to reality than we may wish it to be. One way the state has slowed its growth is by limiting or actually reducing aids to local governments. It has reduced requirements at the same time. Therefore local governments have needed to raise dollars through levies to meet the requirements. I know the county for certain has attempted to keep its levy down as much as possible. The employees, especially the lower paid ones who provide insurance for their families, have seen their health insurance premiums go up much more each year than their cost of living raise has been. One other point--when government buildings are sold they do not always go on the tax rolls. The case of the Lincoln School is a good example. The property was tax exempt when owned by the school--it remains tax exempt when Winona State buys it. Even if a church bought it, it would still not be on the tax rolls. Right now, nearly 30% of the total value in Winona City is tax exempt. And I think the trend is going to be that they amount of exempt property will continue to increase. Steve Hacken This Year -----Original Message----- From: Paul Double [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, February 06, 2006 3:54 PM To: Online Democracy Subject: [SPAM] - [Winona] Growth of Government - Email found in subject [Winona Online Democracy] Since much of our discussion evolves around the need of government units to want more money in the form of taxes or fees we and they need to keep in mind that the Cost of Living Index for 2005 was 3.4%. That figure should represent the maximum amount of revenue or expense increases reflected in their budgets for 2006. If they are getting larger amounts then we taxpayers are keeping less to pay our living expenses. We, to control government growth, need always to question all building expansion since that maybe the best indicator that space is wanted to hire and house more people on the taxpayer's payroll. Government officials might say that if the community is growing then they need more dollars than 3.4% to serve the growth but that argument works both ways. So when the city, county or WAPS publishes their financial track record for this year look at percentage not the dollars. Look at what they spent not what they levied because they have revenues other than just property taxes. Look at their payroll and benefit cost growth not what you read as settlements. When you see any expense approved for more than 3.4% call your elected Commissioner, Council member or Board member and ask them what reductions will be implemented to make up the difference! .....And when you see government buildings being sold understand this is a good thing because that property is going back on the tax rolls reducing your property taxes and that government is shrinking leaving even more in your pocket to pay your bills. Paul Double _______________________________________________ This message was posted to Winona Online Democracy All messages must be signed by the senders actual name. No commercial solicitations are allowed on this list. To manage your subscription or view the message archives, please visit http://mapnp.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/winona Any problems or suggestions can be directed to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you want help on how to contact elected officials, go to the Contact page at http://www.winonaonlinedemocracy.org Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message. _______________________________________________ This message was posted to Winona Online Democracy All messages must be signed by the senders actual name. No commercial solicitations are allowed on this list. To manage your subscription or view the message archives, please visit http://mapnp.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/winona Any problems or suggestions can be directed to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you want help on how to contact elected officials, go to the Contact page at http://www.winonaonlinedemocracy.org
