More users, not more taxes
To the editor:
It is my opinion that the complete lack of the utility expansion since June 9, 2008 equals the Go Bond that is now being proposed by the City Manager and endorsed by some on council. City Budget Administrator Sheena Milliken said it best; “We need higher rates or more users or an alternative funding source.” The GO Bond is the “alternative funding” source and if approved by the voters it will mean that all taxpayers (including those who have already paid for utilities) will be paying for the accumulated FEP debt. That debt was supposed to be paid by new users coming on line and paying Capital Expansion Fees that are more commonly known as Impact Fees, along with a portion of the utility rates.
Putting the issue before voters is giving them the opportunity to “let them speak,” according to Councilmember Bill Deile. His comment is so laughable since Deile and others, including the Mayor, took a totally different view of the public safety building referendum that was put before the public in April, 2007. Four years later and we still hear these same politicians comment with disdain over the $110M PSB even though the project was never built.
It’s also laughable since two members of this current council, Deile and Brandt, voted to halt the UEP expansion almost three years ago thus preventing “more users.” Their vote was in direct conflict with the recommendations of the UEP committee which voted 7-1 to continue the UEP. Sullivan was the dissenting vote on that committee.
Have you had enough yet?
Ralph LePera
Cape Coral