Fiscal responsibility needed
To the editor:
I recently received my trim notice for property in the Cape. My initial relief that overall taxes are down 42 percent was quickly offset when I looked at the breakdown of those proposed taxes.
The proportion of my total taxes collected for the City of Cape Coral General Fund increased from 28 percent of the total to 38 percent. The millage rated collected for the city fund increased a whopping 85 percent (!!!) from last year.
It would be expected that taxing agencies might tend to take the easy way out and increase tax rates somewhat in an environment of radically dropping real estate valuations. Notably, Lee County did not do that. County rates did not raise even one cent per thousand dollars of valuation from last year. I would say that is evidence of not only fiscal responsibility but of a real concern for the taxpayer.
In contrast, Cape Coral seems to be the antithesis of a fiscally responsible entity. If it were not for the stark comparison with county tax rate stability, the drastic millage rate increase in the Cape might not seem so extravagant. The county has found ways to live within its means and Cape Coral has not. Whether it be a problem with the mayor and council, the city manager, or other city employees, it cannot be argued that there is no problem. We are experiencing the consequences of some very bad decisions in the past.
In the upcoming city election, we can only hope that intelligent, responsible individuals will come forward to replace those that have led us down this unfortunate path.
Gary Brooks
Cape Coral