Just say NO to higher taxes Tuesday night + P.S.
Want lower taxes? Contact your aldermen before Tuesday! Why not make that all the aldermen and mayor? Just let them “know you support the effort to lower the tax levy”. It does not need to be a long email or phone conversation; it could just be a Please vote to lower the tax levy.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006, the Common Council votes on the 2007 budget. Their decision Tuesday night will affect the size of check you write come Dec. 31st.
The council meeting begins with a public hearing: an opportunity for you to address the council and voice your opinion about taxes and spending in Brookfield.
Some food for thought:
A budget summary “Over a million dollars of the Mayor's budget is being taxed and then stashed using special accounting moves this year. It's not being spent on public services. The city already holds more than $155 MILLION of surplus in its working and utility funds. The budgets have overstated potential expenses by more than $4 million dollars in the last 4 years alone.”
Tuesday’s special Finance Committee meeting “When a municipality has enough stashed away to run the current government for almost 5 years, there is no threat to the AAA bond rating.”
Valid places to lower the 2007 budget “There is more than $12 MILLION in savings right now for the general fund alone. Finance committee policy suggests that only $3.7 million is necessary for good financial planning.”
Brookfield stays course on levy “The mayor and aldermen Tuesday soundly rejected (more) attempts to significantly lower the city's tax levy and rate, saying they were concerned that taxes would rise in the future.” Since we hold Millions of surplus in working and utility funds, this seems unlikely.
Surpluses bedevil Brookfield, Some aldermen wonder whether they’re doing too much taxing “In the last three years, city departments have spent almost $3.5 million less than what aldermen budgeted for them, city data shows.”
Hang onto your wallets; it’s going to be a bumpy ride
Keep in mind the CITY portion of our tax bill is less than our SCHOOL DISTRICT portion. Your higher reassessment therefore not only affects the amount the city taxes you, but also the school district. Any attempt to lower these rates is a step in the right direction. But it will not happen if you do not speak up!
Many voices can make a difference!
Tuesday, November 21, 2006, the Common Council votes on the 2007 budget. Their decision Tuesday night will affect the size of check you write come Dec. 31st.
The council meeting begins with a public hearing: an opportunity for you to address the council and voice your opinion about taxes and spending in Brookfield.
Some food for thought:
A budget summary “Over a million dollars of the Mayor's budget is being taxed and then stashed using special accounting moves this year. It's not being spent on public services. The city already holds more than $155 MILLION of surplus in its working and utility funds. The budgets have overstated potential expenses by more than $4 million dollars in the last 4 years alone.”
Tuesday’s special Finance Committee meeting “When a municipality has enough stashed away to run the current government for almost 5 years, there is no threat to the AAA bond rating.”
Valid places to lower the 2007 budget “There is more than $12 MILLION in savings right now for the general fund alone. Finance committee policy suggests that only $3.7 million is necessary for good financial planning.”
Brookfield stays course on levy “The mayor and aldermen Tuesday soundly rejected (more) attempts to significantly lower the city's tax levy and rate, saying they were concerned that taxes would rise in the future.” Since we hold Millions of surplus in working and utility funds, this seems unlikely.
Surpluses bedevil Brookfield, Some aldermen wonder whether they’re doing too much taxing “In the last three years, city departments have spent almost $3.5 million less than what aldermen budgeted for them, city data shows.”
Hang onto your wallets; it’s going to be a bumpy ride
Keep in mind the CITY portion of our tax bill is less than our SCHOOL DISTRICT portion. Your higher reassessment therefore not only affects the amount the city taxes you, but also the school district. Any attempt to lower these rates is a step in the right direction. But it will not happen if you do not speak up!
Many voices can make a difference!
P.S. 2 more excellent posts: City fund balances "The city has managed to underbudget revenues and overbudget expenses for at least 10 years."
Oops, I found another million "the Wastewater fund is hording $87 million"
LINKS: www.betterbrookfield.com and www.brookfieldnow.com
You may wish to check out www.newberlinnow.com too. It looks like blogger Matt Thomas will touch on Brookfield, county, and state issues from time to time.
posted by KYLE PRAST | 8:39 AM
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