In an agenda posted today, the City of High Springs has released a draft version of the resolution setting property tax rates for the coming year.
The resolution, 2011-J, proposes High Springs paying a miillage rate of 6.9000, or $690 per $100,000 of assessed property value. The current property tax rate is rate is 6.15, making the proposed change a 12% increase to High Springs taxpayer.
The resolution will be presented along with the city manager’s draft budget in a public meeting Tuesday, July 24, at 6:30pm.
Eric May
Former elected official Eric May provides readers a view on government they rarely get: one from the inside. Eric currently works for a political consulting firm handling all forms of political media and communications. He is married to his beautiful wife Jenna, who both enjoy serving actively in their church and community.
With all the carnage this misguided commission has created I find ut hard to believe there is much more to spend on
“He who giveth , taketh away”. Certain members of this Commission ran on a platform to discredit the previous Commissions that proposed increasing user fees to cover costs; and now they need to increase taxes. That in itself wouldn’t be so bad if they had not devised a way to increase costs through the transfer of the dispatch to the City; and through possible litigation from their personnel decisions. Now, any savings from any other form of economy could be wipped out through the costs of ramping up the service; and its ongoing costs.
Further, the City is facing having to cover a $479,000 +/- draw used to cover the cost the sewer engineering report for which the City used a revolving line with Regions Bank. The USDA money was a prime source of replayment the Bank used to approve the loan. Now, with that money being turned back in, we are now in a “work-out” situation with Regions Bank. We are technically in default of the terms of our loan commitment. They have extended the note twice, this week was a third extension, for only thirty days. If this tax hike doesn’t pass, then the City is in a serious perdictament. It may be this issue that is driving the need to increase property taxes. What will this do for the City’s ability to borrower money in the future when we DO need to update and expand the sewer system?
I saw your reply post to R Rush on the “friends” blog and, agree, although brief as it was once again with what Ed said about thoughtful reply’s. I’m wondering if you saw R Rush response back to you before it was removed? Not so thoughtful IMO with some name calling and, went way outside of the realm of so called parameters Ed recently established. I’m hard to believe that the reason is nothing more than as usual a controlled narrative and,is directly related to all the great new ACT has as of today.
Well, I’m disappointed in how Bob is handling the criticizm. Sadly, it seems that there is always some kind of conspiracy theory mentioned in many of Bob’s emails. It sounds like Chicago politics here – “back room deals”? High Springs is such a little stage, really, why do folks get as worked up as they do? Opposing sides could make the same case. The way he, Dean and Linda vote in unison, one could argue that they discussed the issues privately before each meeting.
You know the real problem here is that there is a serious lack of respect for diverting points of view; and there is a serious lack of leadership.
Bob’s bio on Bosshardt Realty’s web site says he served honorably in the Vietnam war; and he retired a Staff Sargeant. I wonder if he would have appreciated his own leadership style being applied to him while he was working his way through the “boonies”?
I was fortunate to have attended Valley Forge Military Academy during the tail end of the Vietnam war. I had many fine examples of great leaders in the form of my Tact Officers, Teachers and Administration, all of whom ranged from WWII service through to Vietnam. To a man, they lead by example; and they were models of integrity. They would never stoop to this level of muckraking.
I find the leadership of majority of the Commission so disappointing. And, we’re wasting precious time with these cat fights. Let’s work out the vision for High Springs, determine the absolute direction of our City; and then build the plan, and budget from there.
Are you kidding me?? They won’t listen to the taxpayers, anyway!! Does the commission need to buy a new piece of wood, to replace the one Dictator Dean broke??
This is a snip from Ed Shupes blog from our Vice Mayor Barnas.How he addresses currently employeed officers with our city is alarming and, in appearance threatening in nature .How he addresses tax paying citizens with real concerns disgraceful.How does he think anyone sane would want to get behind such a public display and, example of abuse of power.
Dispatch is all about safety
To Anonymous and others,
Any local officer or person that does not understand this is now only objecting because they are still tied at the hip to being disgruntle with the former chief and his personal vendetta agenda. They are still exchanging emails with him, making calls to him daily, and stirring the pot. They are NOT thinking about the future safety of the city, they are thinking about their overtime and their personal differences, that they just won’t let go.
When the former chief led by his King Larry made the backroom deal to switch to the CCC, they made a promise to change the stickers on the sewer grinder pump electric boxes. They either forgot or lied again.
Now it is up to the grumpy, bad attitude officers and former disgruntle election losers and quitters, to think about OUR CITY, and work with the current Chief, fellow officers, the city and commission to make this work. True officers remember that they became officers and took an oath to work for a city and the people in general, and have the honor to understand that they need do it. Time for all to remember who they work for and who the should take direction from and support. The City of High Springs name is on the paycheck and the city taxpayers pay plenty of money to make sure you can cash it. Taking orders or direction from people who lost elections, turned in a resignation or made backroom deals is not the sign of loyalty or dedication that this city should have.
Bob Barnas
Vice Mayor
Well well, seems the post on another blog has been removed, even though “ed” had left a thank you for your thoughtful comments to the Vice Mayor as if it would remain. Filtered responses though. Never to late to realize it is impossible to preach to the choir on civility had it remained.
I see it is back up with a heavy edit.
Romans 13:8-10
New King James Version (NKJV)
Love Your Neighbor
8 Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,”[a] “You shall not covet,”[b] and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”[c] 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
Bob Barnas has a web site and, seems it is his reaction to the Observer. The photograph he has on his site showing the paper in a bird cage with excrement is his first amendment right, but, I would suspect this angry behaving man would not appreciate it if it was someone close to him whos photograph was desecrated in this manner. These citizens do not deserve to be part of his assault and, he owes all whos picture within the paper and now lying on the bottom of his bird cage direspected by Commissioner Barnas an apology.Taking the time to think responsibly and, acting in a way becoming of a acting City Commissioner can most times cut out the unintended consequences.The least it shows someone who actually IS thinking about the Community at large and, not his own self serving matters.I also wonder why now for a second time I’ve noted, that a Commissioner can contact a citizens place of employment which clearly appears to be an act of intimidation and, to silence opposing views. Going after the city employees as a way to cut cost does not serve anyone but, those looking to do it unless they address all the unnecessary off the cuff meetings and, the multiple cost related to them. Commissioner Jamison suggested reducing the work day to 7 hours and, that as well has been attacked by Barnas. I have seen 13 Counties (and I suspect it is across the board)adopt the same and they all reflect the same notice. Agin, how much is the Commission costing us with charter changes, needless meetings and, salary adjustments that open the city up for more law suits. Not considering percentage is patently obvious what city employee /s suffer most. The ones less favored and, the one Linda Gestrin chose to go after while out on vacation.The ugliness so large that those outside of political disfunction now suffer.