Should Wicomico County Consider Repealing The Tax Cap?
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
62 comments:
No.
NO! Rick and the rest have enough of my money to waste!!!!
Yes, yes, yes. Drastic times call for drastic measures. The individuals that got the cap passed did not envision the financial times the County is in right now & for the next couple of years. It has done what it's intentions were but now is a different story.
Hell NO !
No. We as citizens have to find ways to live within our means, and the government should too.
I still dont understand it after all this time
Yes. If it stays in place we will all be hurting in the long run.
Wicomico Co should not repeal the tax cap.
Orginally I opposed the creation of a tax cap. However, since the tax cap was put in place I see the wisdom of restricting government spending.
No govenment can resist spending as much money as it can get its hands on.
Repealing the tax cap would result in an immediate escalation of government spending. All,of course, in the name of fixing all that is broken within the county,as opposed to living within a budget.
I am reminded of the Land fill theft case. If the government imposed a level of due diligence watching the money they have perhaps they would not need to raise taxes.
I do not think that the revenue cap should be repealed...however,it needs to be modified.The current 2% cap should be changed to an indexed figure akin to the CPI...I say this because I believe that we are going to see an upward inflationary spiral akin to what we saw under Carter...the core costs of government,without any growth,will rise more than 2% annually. Therefore,we will begin to see budget reductions that will seriously impact essential core services even under the best fiscal management.
NO,No,No,No,NO,No.
Did I mention NO
Not unless we want another 14% tax increase
NO!
Not until they trim every bit of fat they can.
I agree that we are in an inflationary spiral. Anybody who believes that artificial "core inflation" number is an accurate gauge of what real people experience is drinking the kool-aid. Subtracting out the top two expense categories in most people's budgets (oil and food) just masks the truth.
The 2% is probably too restrictive, but until the county gets their appetite for spending under control we would be foolish to change anything.
We also need to figure out a way to change how the board of ed spends their money. They are half of our budget, yet they are largely unaccountable and protected by mandates left and right. And let us not forget that they have the "it's for the children" argument.
Do NOT repeal the tax cap. They should learn to more appropriately spend what they already get!
NO- the county still has not learned to reduce and spend our money wisely so why in the heck should we repeal it. Pollitt and the rest of the bunch running this county need to reduce spending in a wise manor and show a real need for more money. Just yesterday riding down the road I saw another example of our money being pissed away. There were six state highway workers standing on the side of the road and one of them actually working. I am well aware the county cannot control them but the same thing is happening in the county departments as well. So much money is being wasted on things that can be cut I say its time for them to get on board and make the necessary cuts to balance the budget.
That's a Haaiillll NO. Get rid of the old blood. They all have "The Way We WERE" mentality and no mammories.
I agree with 2:08, some type of control is needed but the current tax cap is not the answer.
No, everyone needs to look at their budgets and live within them. Citizens and the Government.
no
Something needs to be done with the Revenue Cap. In 2030 we will be trying to fund a 2030 budget with 2010 (actually more like 2000) revenue.
What I don't want to see is the County raise taxes just to spend frivolously. The revenue cap needs to be reviewed so as to maintain a high standard of service, but the spending needs to be curbed. Save/spend money as if you had none to spare-the County should be pinching pennies during the good times just as it doesn't (or should) during the bad times.
Transparency is key and good financial management is a must at all times. Not all Counties in Maryland are going through nearly as many hardships as Wicomico is now, so what is the difference? The revenue cap is one, poor financial management is the other.
What also bothers me is that everybody wants a high standard of service, but is not willing to pay for it. Now before everybody jumps on that statement, let me say this: You have to pay in to get anything out, but it does not mean that you have to pay for all the BS spending; however, we (the people of the County) elected these folks that control the spending so in essence we are the ones to blame to a certain extent. Times are hard and they will probably get harder, but we are all in this together. Voice your opinion, especial on this blog because I know for a fact that they (the executive and council) hear it. Make smart decisions at the polls and don't be afraid to stand up for what you believe in. I unfortunately do not have the full ability to do such due to my employment, but I use this site every chance I get so that my little voice can be heard. Just like everybody else, I don't like having to pay more taxes, but I also don't like the alternative either. And, just like everybody else again, I do not want to put money into a system that is just going to blow it on unneccessary spending. Like I said, we are in this mess together and we have to get out together-assuming that the County Administration does the right thing when/if they do get the money.
-5 year County Employee ($39,250/year)
No..Hell No. The government has to learn to live with in their means. We as tax payers have to. Cut the fat and there is alot of fat to cut!
Go ahead, give Rick Pollitt a blank check and see what happens. We got an example of how watchful they are with OUR money when they didn't discover the landfill debaucle until Sheriff Lewis stopped the truck carrying the fuel. These people need to learn to operate with less just like the rest of us are doing. Anybody can operate a business when there is an unending supply of money ,ask Obama, make these people earn their money.
Hell no!! Do you realize how much the ideologues will try to raise taxes to realize teh revenue they want (NOT NEED)in an economy in decline. Government has to be proportional to the size of the economy. Raise taxes now, you kill an economy already on life support. Tough times call for tough love!! Suck it up and stop crying Wicomico County. Government can't fix all of your problems.
Signed,
One productive, taxpaying, law abiding, Wicomico County resident
try it, you might like it.
No. And for the commenter who said we would get another 14% tax increase, try 42%. That is what the increase was and the revenue cap put in place by WE THE PEOPLE.
YES.
But it wont happen till the public sees how bad the county is actually.
Roads in disrepair. Good employees leaving for better pay elsewhere. Services on a limited basis. School systems that aren't up to par and so on...
It is a revenue cap not a tax cap. I am in favor of replacing the revenue cap with a tax cap. There is a big difference between the two...
Yes
NO !!!! It shouldn't even be considered until the County makes some tough decisions and TRIES to live on less by cutting the frivolous unnecessary expenditures.
Other places have a higher standard of living on much less money.Lets learn from them instead of robbing the citizens of their paychecks. we already pay much more than many others The word is NO
First of all, it is a revenue cap, not a tax cap. Please understand the difference, and for that matter, the similarities before just throwing out the term. The revenue cap should not be repealed. The county government, like a family needs to make adjustments in its budget to survive with the revenue stream available. It is tough, but essential...
NO!!! NO!!! NO!!!
Every year my taxable income decreases but my taxes continue to go up.
Get a handle on it Rick!! Us poor folk are really tightening our belts to cope with our money problems. It's time to get rid of the "nice to haves" and get back to the basics of what government is expected to provide for the taxed citzenary.
HELL NO!
Joe:
Your post earlier today about all the FAT in the "GOB" says it all -- hell NO!
Pollitt won't do anything except spend whatever he gets his hands on.
Keep the cap, I'm moving to Delaware. By the way, it is a revenue cap, not a tax cap. Make it a property tax cap and I'd be ok with it.
No, and if it's repealed I will never spend another cent in this county.
No, No, a thousand times NO.
Yes, they should. There is a cost of doing business folks. When you start laying off people or furlowing people at the Sheriff's Dept., 911, and other crucial agencies, maybe someone will wake up. Its serious out there. Don Coffin created this nightmare, and you never hear anything from him now. He got ran out of North Carolina for the same type of thing. When overall revenue is down, and the cost of things continue to escalate, there is no choice but to either raise taxes or to something. I would rather see the 2% go away and receive the services.
Idiots all this cap did was make realators fat. Look at what happend to the cost of homes in this county. Now try to sell it.
Voice was headed up by realestate people that had selling homes and making money on their minds.
The county can not attract any big business we need a couple more chain stores that pay min. wage.
This City is starting to look like a ghetto.
The look the other way attitude has killed a great city.
The county needs to tighten the belt. The tax cap has created a nightmare for local goverment.
I say get rid of it and the current council. A couple of them have been around far to long.
The rentals are growing because we have a transient community. The slum lords win.
I know when i retire i am getting the hell out of dodge.
No wonder Schaeffer called the eastern Shore the out house of maryland. I live here and have all my life we earned the title.
Mental Midgets with huge egos.
Why don't we start by calling it what it is...a revenue cap, not a tax cap. There's a big difference
It needs to be restructed to be calculated based on CPI and revenue per citizen. If Wicomico grows at a rate of 4% a year then 2% increase a year will not help.
NO;
I can't dictate unlimited income from my employer, and thus I must live within my means. The government need to learn this skill as soon as possible. I see some are complaining about furloughs. I have taken not less than 15 VOLUNTARY furlough days since June. The way I see it, my company is hurting and I'd like to keep my job. It's a win-win. I get some time off and get to stay employed, my employer gets a bit of a break on payroll and doesn't have to worry about laying someone off.
No- until the County can show they can cut expenses, take home cars, a public information officer and other non needed items there should be no change
Until our government local, state and federal gets control of their spending I am opposed to any increase in taxes. I believe there is enough money for what is needed. Cut the special projects, cut special pensions for congress, get rid of all the special panels and studies being done for no obvious reason. When the government starts spending our money the way they would handle their own private money then I would be willing to pay extra in taxes, but I would be willing to bet it wouldn't be needed.
yes
NO! It's like keeping alcohol away from an alcoholic. We did it for our own good. I'm sure almost everyone for it's elimination or change are those that are sucking up every benefit the Government puts out. It is not THEIR money.
Hell ya...maybe then we could afford new schools, etc.
NO!
Anonymous said...
It is a revenue cap not a tax cap. I am in favor of replacing the revenue cap with a tax cap. There is a big difference between the two...
3:02 PM
I agree with this. We need controls, but revenue caps are stupid.
NO NON ON NO NO NO NO A blank check is what they want. Try spending less, that's what I've had to do.
NO ....theres things that we can live without...why do we need a new library? for instance.....theres to much fat...wheres the extra money that was saved from all the theft from the landfill if that number was 400,000 or more dollars then there should be extra money that wasnt spent on fuel....Time to go on a diet Rick and cut out the fat.....With the economy the way it is and no jobs its not a good time to raise any type of tax...look at Md in general last year passing the sales tax....they thought it would bring in more money...well it didnt they shot themselves in the foot....the over all spending in this state went down...people and i one of them started shopping in DE. The same will happen here,,,there will be flight big time...its hard enough to make it in this county we dont need more tax....we are already one of the highest taxed in the state.....tighten the belts!
No repeal of the cap....we cant stop you Rick for repealing the cap but we can and will put you in the unemployemnt line! If this happens you and whom ever else is responisble will be put in that line. YOU WILL BE VOTED OUT..think long and hard about it! We the people have spoken.....NO REPEAL!
I don't fully understand it but from what I've heard....No.
Bring some jobs to this county and i mean good paying job then we will talk! Untill then NO...HELL NO
voice was not created by realestate mogels it was created by people who were sick of over zeolous people tired of goverment officials using our tax money as their own little piggy banks.you cant sell a house because the market fell NATIONWIDE not just in our neck of the woods.our goverment needs to know that there is not an endless wallet called taxpayers and start being more frugal and actualy give a damn about the everyday citizen and not just about pet projects and every special interest group with a hand out
Absolutely not-they need learn to live within their means like the rest of us have done. When money gets tight in my household, I do what everybody except the government does-I cut spending. Take back some of the county cars and sell them-brings in revenue and cuts fuel and maintainance costs. If people have to be laid off, so be it. I realize that unemployed people don't spend money and that hurts the economy overall and I don't want to see anyone unemployed, but the reality is that people ARE unemployed and government workers should not be exempt just because they work for the government. It's a tough, dog eat dog world out here and we are all suffering! The government (local, state and federal)is way out of control and it is time to face the music. The money supply is drying up and the only (logical)thing to do is CUT SPENDING !
No. Also let's look at eliminating the County Executive form of government. It is costing us too much, and the results of this form of government is negligible.
NO
While the spending pisses me off and really needs to stop on all levels of the local government, what really gets me is that some many people get pissed off at the revenue cap and technically they are winning in one aspect of it.
Every single piece of property in Wicomico County is assessed well below its fair market value, but yet every single property owner wants their property to be worth as much as possible. So you expect to turn a buck yourself, but don't want to pay the taxes on that value? My suggestion is, get rid of the revenue cap and reassess all the properties in the County to reflect the fair market value or last sale price. Then adjust the tax rate to reflect a REASONABLE revenue and place a tax cap on that. In doing this, you eliminate the majority of the assessment process and you assessment cannot be raise until the property goes to sale. At least this way the citizens can monitor the tax rate and not the assessment value. The citizens would also be treated equally among themselves this way as well.
Also, quit allowing family members, friends and business partners to property among themselves for next to nothing! I have seen so many properties sold among family members for $1,000 or less in companies such as GNI or Insleys Rentals.
People (mainly slum lords and family operated rental companies) escape capital gains taxes ALL THE TIME! And all too often I see people do under-the-table deals to avoid capital gains tax. So much money and revenue is lost and the people who are scheming are the ones that people like John Cannon look out for. The people who constantly rob this County are the same ones who make it look like dogsh!t with their run down rentals. They are also the ones that use or rely on County services the most so why should they be allowed to pay less? Another idea would be to tax the hell out of non-owner occupied properties. This would also encourage home ownership and perhaps (hopefully) run these slum lord right out of town!
why do we need a new library???...because literacy is important perhaps?
hey, anon 9:17 AM dumbass, we have a library-it's at the corner of Market St and S Division St! We need a library, what we don't need is a NEW LIBRARY! Our current library can provide the same basic needs that a new library can provide. It is not NEEDED at this time given the current economic situation of the County. A new library is not going to make the idiots of this County any better at reading so STF about thinking a new library will increase literacy anymore than the current one does. Not to mention, this is 2009! In about a decade or two, library will probably be obsolete to the internet and newer technologies.
Other counties repealed it after it did not succeed. It is a bad idea it is a revenue cap not a tax cap.
Wake up people
Damn right they should...why should we protect the developers and realtors? They're the only one's doing ok in this market! Hell with them
do you morons even know what the cap is have you even bothered to read it before you start spewing idoticy out of your mouths?
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