Newspapers often report on local government audits as well as bringing misdeeds into the open with investigative reporting, but not in New Albany.
New Albany's newspaper never much documents lack of oversight, and lack of accountability in the City of New Albany!
Why?
The total picture should be alarming to property owners.
TAXPAYERS BE INFORMED!
Councilman Steve Price defeated Resolution R-07-31 by tabling it . Was this resolution, so adamantly approved of by Council President Kochert a set up on Councilman Price to introduce a bill to raise our "property taxes" AGAIN, by trying to force him to introduce it? If it was so important to Councilman Kochert then why didn't he introduce the resolution or have Councilman Messer or Councilman Zurschmiede introduce it?
The Resolution R-07-31 reads:
WHEREAS, a procedure and formula is available for cities and towns to partially fund their 2008 anticipated DROP payment, and
WHEREAS, the 2008 anticipated DROP payments from New Albany's fire and police pension funds total $1,776,000 and
WHEREAS, implementing the formula put forth by the State of Indiana the City of New Albany would obtain relief in the amount of $461,760 by requesting an increase in it's 2008 maximum levy.
The administration wanted to cover the underfunded pension by pledging our property taxes, adding insult to injury after a statewide recent 24% increase in property taxes!
Underfunded pension issues are a statewide problem and legislation is already in place for the state to take over and relieve the burden of these underfunded pensions from the cities within the next two years. This is why it is imperative that we find other ways to pay the difference out of Rainy Day Funds, Riverboat Funds or Hey! maybe even cut the budget!
Rather than raise our property taxes, we need to find another way, because as you and I know, property tax reductions are as rare a thing as getting the truth from this adminstration. These clowns have already wasted so much of our tax dollars, as we can see in the condition of our streets, our sewers in disrepair, millions in EPA fines, unsafe housing around every corner and NO ACCOUNTABILITY!
Kay you just don't get it!
Each year the state allows small growth of the property tax levy to be collected and paid by us taxpayers. The term increase in maximum levy will mean more property tax to be collected to cover your request. Which means our property taxes would go up!
Freedom of Speech would like to ask Controller Garry why did you mislead Councilman Price and tell him R-07-31 would not raise property taxes?
What ever happen to honesty in local government?
Freedom of Speech believe's that all this adminstration does is say "What the hell, it's just taxpayers money - stick it to 'em..."
On Monday, back in your office Kay, are you going to pull some tricks out of your bag for funding Resolution R-07-31?
And one final thought. Your right Valla Ann, it would be an insult to the taxpayers!
Another SCAM Foiled...
"Common sense is the knack of seeing things as they are, and doing things as they ought to be done."
~Stowe
