It's been quite some time since we've gotten all the Dallas Neighborhood Coordinators together.
With the municipal elections coming up very soon, NOW would seem to be a pretty good time to do so.
Do you agree?
If so, please share your thoughts below on when and where.
By 2011-03-08 05:27:42
Via the Dallas Morning News:
The fight over whether Dallas should raise taxes will culminate at a City Council meeting later this month.
But the issue was probably decided well before that at a series of town hall meetings where residents have spoken out overwhelmingly in favor of sending more money to City Hall.
Every year before passing a budget, council members hold town hall meetings in recreation centers, libraries and school gymnasiums across Dallas.
This year, whether the meetings were packed with residents or sparsely attended by a handful of people, the message has largely been the same – raise taxes.
"I don't think it's fair for city employees to have their pay decrease ... and for the parks, they need to look good," Kay Taylor told City Manager Mary Suhm at a meeting held by Mayor Pro Tem Dwaine Caraway in southeastern Dallas.
"What makes a great city is parks and arts. I urge you to put the funding back, and, yes, I am willing to dig deeper," Mark Kennedy said to rousing applause at a meeting in Preston Hollow.
Please share your thoughts below.
By 2010-09-05 13:29:49
by 
sbmcgraw01_2 2010-09-05 13:53:08
this is a joke, right??
1. 10% pay cut for any city employee that makes more than $40K.
2. 15% pay cut for any city employee that makes more than $75K.
3. A halt to all park construction until the city's budget can handle the maintenance costs without a tax increase.
4. Shut down "cultural centers." They only serve a fraction of the city, why should the entire city pay for them?
5. Sell the boondoggle of a hotel to pay off the debt as soon as they can get an offer high enough that the city doesn't lose money.
6. The city should start reducing debt as soon as it is able. The city's debt service is far higher than the deficit. If it hadn't incurred so much debt in the last decade, we would be in great fiscal shape.
2. 15% pay cut for any city employee that makes more than $75K.
3. A halt to all park construction until the city's budget can handle the maintenance costs without a tax increase.
4. Shut down "cultural centers." They only serve a fraction of the city, why should the entire city pay for them?
5. Sell the boondoggle of a hotel to pay off the debt as soon as they can get an offer high enough that the city doesn't lose money.
6. The city should start reducing debt as soon as it is able. The city's debt service is far higher than the deficit. If it hadn't incurred so much debt in the last decade, we would be in great fiscal shape.
In addition to taxes, could we have more regulation, increased comp for all govt employees, and yes, maybe a plague, too? /sarc
You are so right Mike and that HUGE monstrous hotel that is being "invested in" by the city must be sold AS IS imediately. The city has no business wasting the money she has already been given by the tax payer on high risk investment. Whether we need a hotel there or not folks, this just is not the time.
Who are these people speaking out at the meetings? Are they city employees? I don't know anyone who isn't struggling financially right now. We have all had to cut back. On my street, we have not called the city out to replace a street light that has been burned out for almost a year. We have not asked for a missing street sign to be replaced. We have all made personal and public sacrifices. No, I am not in favor of a tax hike in any sphere of government right now. Let's pull together during this time, not try to pull more out of each other or the government.
I don't know who the empty-headed individuals are that are asking for higher taxes. It is my thought that they aren't paying any taxes. I am NOT willing to dig deeper. This recession hasn't just hit the City of Dallas, but has hit us, too! You're killing the golden goose if you raise our taxes. Where do I get the extra money to send to you? YOU need to dig deeper into your "responsibility pocket" and find solutions. Any idiot can ask for more money, but it takes a dedicated civil servant to protect the citizens. Now you guys need to get off your collective backside and solve this with the money we already gave you. Roger Richards, TAXPAYER, Dallas
DO NOT RAISE OUR TAXES! The city employees have unrealistic benefits already....and those benefits are killing us tax payers who have to pay for those benefits. Government employees need to live like the rest of us out here in the real world. Dallas is spending 100 Million dollars building a hotel that is not needed. Most of the hotels downtown have low occupancy 90% of the time and Dallas is wasting our tax dollars building a conference hotel when studies show conferences are decreasing annually nationwide. Secondly, Dallas is wasting money building parks at the expense of firemen and policemen's pay. We need to get rid of half the city managers and cut the budget in realistic areas instead of threatening to reduce needed services like firemen and policemen. I would rather pay firemen and policemen and get rid of managers who aren't needed.
Mark Kennedy is obviously related to his last name but is even far left of the Kennedy who left Dallas in a coffin. I'm sick of big goverment and liberals who want working people to pay for their drug infested city parks and nude art. Tell them instead of raising taxes which are already to high to go get a job and donate to their liberal agenda.
We in Dallas already pay the highest property taxes in the state. Before I will condone higher property taxes, I must be convinced our taxes are being spent appropriately. With companies cutting back and employees losing their jobs and taking pay cuts, why should city employees be treated differently? Sounds like the same "spend and tax: rhetoric we are hearing at the national level. Although I do have confidence in Mary Suhm and my city council representative, Linda Koop, I am not convinced of the real need to raise taxes. I vote NO.
Are you serious Dallas City government? You don't seem to get it!!! You cry that you've made so many sacrifices, yet I haven't heard anyone yet talk about taking a reduction in pay? You're certainly willing to lay off 500 workers though, reducing revenue. That makes a TON of sense!!! It appears that some in gov't have forgotten ECON 101. Hey, Mark Kennedy, if you want to beautify the parks and continue the arts so badly, DONATE YOUR MONEY!!!! Don't tell us we have to feed our fiscally irresponsible city council!!! They're just going to have to make due with what they've got. Man, what a concept! Living (wait for it, wait for it) within our means.
Are you serious Dallas City government? You don't seem to get it!!! You cry that you've made so many sacrifices, yet I haven't heard anyone yet talk about taking a reduction in pay? You're certainly willing to lay off 500 workers though, reducing revenue. That makes a TON of sense!!! It appears that some in gov't have forgotten ECON 101. Hey, Mark Kennedy, if you want to beautify the parks and continue the arts so badly, DONATE YOUR MONEY!!!! Don't tell us we have to feed our fiscally irresponsible city council!!! They're just going to have to make due with what they've got. Man, what a concept! Living (wait for it, wait for it) within our means.
The City has already found the money for the libraries, the Seniors, and the parks. The police have limited their recruiting efforts based on the aggressive IT and neighborhood watch successes. The people who have been vocal at Town Halls are the same and like a broken record even when the item has already been "saved." It is a tough "sell" for me and most homeowners to have the burdens AGAIN dumped on us. It is a negative on the real estate market AND taxes NEVER go away so these proponents of a tax hike are setting us and themselves up for the never ending solution of solving problems by raising taxes instead of raising revenues. They are self-serving arts,after school programs, non-profit minorities, etc. They are passing the buck in the toughest economy and with taxes dramatically being raised by the Admin's health care, environmental initiatives, financial "protections" and entitlements. People suggesting a tax increase lack due diligence and any of their own sweat equity.
The elected officials need to mirror what their constituents are living with, tighter budgets. They need to exercise fiscal responsibility and do their best to balance the City Budget, without raising taxes! I am tired of our hard earned tax dollars being squandered due to irresponsible spending.
by 
donnastarnes 2010-09-05 15:50:55
I wrote a letter to the mayor and city council urging no new taxes and including suggestions for reductions. I urge all to do the same!
Absolutely no new taxes!!
How about some cuts in pay across the board for city employees - and a cut in the number of employees?!!
When was the last time you went downtown to pay a ticket or register a car - only to be greeted by a never-ending line leading to an office full of bored "employees" slowly trying to look busy?!!
Here's an idea: how about streamlining and simplifying and putting our resources where they're actually needed??
For instance, how about funneling our revenue into areas that actually do some service? We're getting charged more than ever for trash pickup; only difference is: many of us now have to put our trash outside our house by the curb - instead of in the alley - which was made for trash pickup (and many times, even then, the trash is not picked up ((even though pickups have gone from twice a week to once a week!!)) ).
Basically, I'm for pay cuts in every area; for streamlining and simplifying wherever possible; and absolute
How about some cuts in pay across the board for city employees - and a cut in the number of employees?!!
When was the last time you went downtown to pay a ticket or register a car - only to be greeted by a never-ending line leading to an office full of bored "employees" slowly trying to look busy?!!
Here's an idea: how about streamlining and simplifying and putting our resources where they're actually needed??
For instance, how about funneling our revenue into areas that actually do some service? We're getting charged more than ever for trash pickup; only difference is: many of us now have to put our trash outside our house by the curb - instead of in the alley - which was made for trash pickup (and many times, even then, the trash is not picked up ((even though pickups have gone from twice a week to once a week!!)) ).
Basically, I'm for pay cuts in every area; for streamlining and simplifying wherever possible; and absolute
I did attend a town hall meeting 2 weeks ago, and yes, most of the people in attendance wanted taxes to be raised. An informal vote taken during the meeting was about 60% in favor of tax increases. Where the hell were the people who do not want their taxes raised? Home on their couch, mumbling to themselves how much they do not want to pay more taxes?
The Country is broke, Texas is broke and Dallas is broke. The answer is to REDUCE SERVICES, not increase taxes. No one wants to give up anything in hard times. Amazing.
1. While I have not been present at any of the city meetings, I am incredulous re:people applauding to raise their taxes. How credible is this reporter??? Who would go on re: pretty parks when people are trying to hold on to their homes without jobs???
2. We have checked w/ friends in other southern cities: Atlanta, Nashville, Richmond, Houston, and NOT ONE pays the high percentage of property taxes that we do. This is ridiculous!!
2. We have checked w/ friends in other southern cities: Atlanta, Nashville, Richmond, Houston, and NOT ONE pays the high percentage of property taxes that we do. This is ridiculous!!
As a contractor at EPA, we wanted to see the Water exhibit at Fair Park Science Museum on the last day of the exhibit. The exhibit was sponsored by TCEQ [TX Commission of Environmental Quality]which is a grantee of the EPA. While there as it was so hot that day we also bought tickets for not only the exhibit but the Alaska film at the I Max. We need that something was wrong because when we arrived, the museum was so hot it was unbearable and they couldn't show the film because of budget cuts at the city as told to us by the staff but yet they sold tickets. Budget cuts are to the general public but not to the bloated staff and programs/projects of the city as evidenced by an engineer whose entire job involves attending meetings [where txting party plans is the only outcome of their attendance]. So the choice is raise taxes or no services while the city maintains "business as usual" where we are paying salaries for ineffective overpaid , employees and their outmoded programs such
Town hall meetings are packed with special interest groups and no doubt family members of city employees who are protecting their allocations and salaries. The only notice I got of my councilmember's townhall was through e-mail. E-mails that are known to city hall do not represent a cross section of the residents. In no way do these townhalls represent the mood of average citizens who pay property taxes.
No I dont want taxes raised. The sanitaion department tore up my yard from their sorry excuse for drivers. When I approached city hall I was informed they are not responsible for damages cause by trucks. They fixed the ruts with gravel after afew weeks of wrangling. Once their insurance company got involved. But still the trucks are making deeper ruts but a slower pack. I stll cannot mow the area that the ruts are at. Also it is in the part of the alleyway that they will continue to trash. Where as if they widened the alleyway entrance it would be put to a stop.
Call me a redneck, but cities and parks do not make a city. Good schools, good communities and a good police force with the manpower to do the job do. The communities are made through the residents, schools and police (and EMT/firefighters) are what taxes are for. Parks and art should be the focus of individuals who WANT to invest in them, organizations like For The Love of The Lake (WhiteRock) who do excellent work. Perhaps we should let the police ticket people for littering a bit more often, the parks and the city would benefit. It is time to tell the unions that the entitlement attitude will not be encouraged or supported anymore.
IT ISN'T ONLY THE PEASANTS WHO SHOULD LIVE WITHIN THEIR MEANS...IT IS ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT THAT SHOULD SO DO. ALSO, CITIZENS/VOTERS NEED TO KNOW THE "OFF-BUDGET"/UNDERGROUND-BUDGET COSTS HIDING 'IN ONE OF THE 4 OR MORE SETS OF GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTING RECORDS. PEOPLE: THE TRUTH, WHOLE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH WILL "SET YOU FREE" FROM GUILTY CONSCIENCES AND AID IN OUR FINANCIAL RECOVERY (SOONER RATHER THAN LATER.) REMEMBER 1975 WHEN "NEW YORK CITY WAS 'TOO BIG TO FAIL!'" AND THE STATES HAD TO BAIL THEM OUT. THIS WAS THE PRECURSOR TO THE CURRENT WALL STREET/BANKING FAILURES. CHRIS CHRISTI OF N.J. "GETS IT!" LET THE CITY OF DALLAS "DO IT, TOO!" AND TO HECK WITH THE BARNEY FRANK/CHRIS DODD LIES! VOTE OUT ALL THE CHEATERS!
I was at one of those meetings, along with a few members of the 75248 group. I heard no clamor for higher taxes, just a reshuffling of the funds. I believe they should ablolutely get rid of unnecessary city workers and/or reduce benifits for those who remain on staff. They forgot to mention that this fine group of city counselors also wanted to vote themselves a raise.
This is outrageous to say Dallas citizens want taxes raised. I attended several town hall meetings, some with councilwoman Linda Koop, city budget people, et al in attendance, and NOT one person in the audience applauded for raising taxes. Where does this (mis)information come from?
As usual, the people who favor tax increases are the ones who do not pay taxes, or the filthy rich (ie Preston Hollow crowd) who could never spend in a lifetime all the money they have earned or inherited. The ones in the middle who work hard for a living making $60K-$600K are the ones who pay, and they are NOT FOR raising taxes.
The city council is out of touch with the community. No one has a job, yet they talk like every thing is the same. It is not!
It's time for everyone to tighten their belts, dig deeper and do a great job.
I just served on jury duty, where there were at least 10 officers standing around shooting the breeze. I'll bet that there are plenty of qualified people in our community that would be glad to have those jobs and do them with far better results.
Everyone needs to get a renewed work ethic and realize they are public servants. The council should pay close attention to the media that is not being covered. Civil unrest is just a bad decision away.
It's time for everyone to tighten their belts, dig deeper and do a great job.
I just served on jury duty, where there were at least 10 officers standing around shooting the breeze. I'll bet that there are plenty of qualified people in our community that would be glad to have those jobs and do them with far better results.
Everyone needs to get a renewed work ethic and realize they are public servants. The council should pay close attention to the media that is not being covered. Civil unrest is just a bad decision away.
We are in tough times. When my cash flow is down, I have to TIGHTEN MY BELT - DO WITHOUT - BUY LESS. That must also apply to the City of Dallas.
Raising taxes just gives permission for the City to spend. I have alread "dug deep". I am 67 and did not plan well for retirement. I don't have any extra money for Dallas.
Raising taxes just gives permission for the City to spend. I have alread "dug deep". I am 67 and did not plan well for retirement. I don't have any extra money for Dallas.
The problem(s) that Dallas is facing is: 1) The city council cannot properly budget what they take in. 2) The city has far too long had wasteful spending practices. What they DO take in is spent friviously, especially in a time of recession. 3)Change the day/times of the city council meetings and see what kind of response you get from the citizens. Or are the council members trying to avoid that?
I wrote to the Council members and only heard back from my own Jerry Allen who is not behind raising taxes or the garage sale fee. We need to flood their offices with e mails, this is the only way I have found that gets their attention. I will agree that I have not heard of any town meetings either.
I think we need to relook the whole situation of how we impose taxes on citizens and the non-citizens , those who are hogging all our "free" services.
We tax basically on the property of citizens. homes, cars, etc.
We need to intitute a
USAGE tax for schools, streets,city services such as fire department, water dept, parks and pools in playgrounds.
Every child attending school needs to pay something....either a registration fee, book fees, class fees, sport fees, etc. We, the tax payers, had small familys and paid our way, now we are inundated by illegals with enourmous familys and they pay nothing. WE should refuse admittance to our hospitals and schools unless the family is paying a monthly tax to use these services. Not a property tax, not a vehicle tax, but a Usage Tax. Since we refuse to deport illegals, at least make them pay their own way!!
We tax basically on the property of citizens. homes, cars, etc.
We need to intitute a
USAGE tax for schools, streets,city services such as fire department, water dept, parks and pools in playgrounds.
Every child attending school needs to pay something....either a registration fee, book fees, class fees, sport fees, etc. We, the tax payers, had small familys and paid our way, now we are inundated by illegals with enourmous familys and they pay nothing. WE should refuse admittance to our hospitals and schools unless the family is paying a monthly tax to use these services. Not a property tax, not a vehicle tax, but a Usage Tax. Since we refuse to deport illegals, at least make them pay their own way!!
I think we need to relook the whole situation of how we impose taxes on citizens and the non-citizens , those who are hogging all our "free" services.
We tax basically on the property of citizens. homes, cars, etc.
We need to intitute a
USAGE tax for schools, streets,city services such as fire department, water dept, parks and pools in playgrounds.
Every child attending school needs to pay something....either a registration fee, book fees, class fees, sport fees, etc. We, the tax payers, had small familys and paid our way, now we are inundated by illegals with enourmous familys and they pay nothing. WE should refuse admittance to our hospitals and schools unless the family is paying a monthly tax to use these services. Not a property tax, not a vehicle tax, but a Usage Tax. Since we refuse to deport illegals, at least make them pay their own way!!
We tax basically on the property of citizens. homes, cars, etc.
We need to intitute a
USAGE tax for schools, streets,city services such as fire department, water dept, parks and pools in playgrounds.
Every child attending school needs to pay something....either a registration fee, book fees, class fees, sport fees, etc. We, the tax payers, had small familys and paid our way, now we are inundated by illegals with enourmous familys and they pay nothing. WE should refuse admittance to our hospitals and schools unless the family is paying a monthly tax to use these services. Not a property tax, not a vehicle tax, but a Usage Tax. Since we refuse to deport illegals, at least make them pay their own way!!
I vote NO, NO, NO to an increase in property taxes. I have lived in Dallas for 11 years and every year my property taxes have gone up. I was sure this past year with the real estate market there would be no way Dallas CAD would once again increase value of my home and then even think about raising the tax rate. Dallas government needs to wake up and look at the outlying cities around them...other suburbs pay less in property taxes. If they continue every year to increase taxes homeowners will continue to migrate to the suburbs. And I never heard about a town meeting until after wards and I would be happy to attend and voice my opinion. I would also like the city to look at other ways of increasing revenue. Why don't they look at a tax on apartment dwellers whose children attend schools that my taxes pay for? I wonder how much support we would have for that?
No tax increase please. But, should the taxes be increased do not let them exist for more than one or two years or until property values increase. Then an increase in taxes not be considered for three years. Taxes do not solve budget problems....only better management of resources.
The property taxes I currently pay are the highest I have paid in all the states I have lived in for the same amount of property value. I feel that we are taxed at a higher rate due to the lack of state income taxes. Right now we all are having to sacrifice many thing we took for granted and our raises have been frozen. In a time of recession the last thing to do is raise taxes, we all have to have a shared sacrifice even city employees and thier pensions and benefits must be cut like all of us in the private sector.
I am a political consultant representing Dallas City Councilman Jerry Allen. The e-mail sent out this morning concerning the public hearing about a possible Dallas tax hike listed Jerry as:
District 10: Jerry R. Allen: Undecided, leans toward FAVORING - THIS IS NOT TRUE - HE IS LEANING AGAINST ANY TAX INCREASE! Many who attended his town hall meeting expressed a desire to raise taxes in support of libraries, rec centers, pools and the arts. I urge you to go to his city hall website and express your opinion. I had asked an e-mail correcting the error be sent, but have received no response. Pretty disappointed that when an error is made by an organization I admire and mistakes are not corrected in a timely manner.
District 10: Jerry R. Allen: Undecided, leans toward FAVORING - THIS IS NOT TRUE - HE IS LEANING AGAINST ANY TAX INCREASE! Many who attended his town hall meeting expressed a desire to raise taxes in support of libraries, rec centers, pools and the arts. I urge you to go to his city hall website and express your opinion. I had asked an e-mail correcting the error be sent, but have received no response. Pretty disappointed that when an error is made by an organization I admire and mistakes are not corrected in a timely manner.
Via the Dallas Morning News:
One of the ideas being kicked around Dallas City Hall to raise more revenue in a lean budget year is to charge residents and businesses a road-use fee.
The idea, sure to be controversial if it gains traction, was one of several presented to the City Council on Wednesday in a "brainstorming" session on the budget.
"This is a program that is implemented in some cities to assess a property a fee for the benefit they receive from the road system," said Jack Ireland, executive general manager of the city manager's office. "It's based on the trips that are generated by that property, and it helps defray that cost of the road system."
Ireland noted that Austin employs such a program, which collected $20.2 million last year from residents and $18 million from commercial properties.
The road-use-fee idea didn't prompt much discussion among council members. Only council member Ann Margolin took exception to such a fee.
"I have a really serious problem with that," she said. "Charging to use our streets, I can't even imagine the havoc that that's going to create."
Comments? Weigh in below:
By 2010-06-18 15:06:24
I am a native Dallasite, and I am already considering leaving; this will insure it.
I paid about 60% of my total income in total taxes last year. Medieval serfs were only taxed at 10%. Dallas needs to concentrate on public safety, the roads, and essential services only. It is top heavy in administration, and clueless on what is essential. A better way to think of it would be to ask if they had half the employees and half the dollars, what would they have to fund. Forget about more taxes; I for one am prepared to see how many of these other programs I can live without.
I paid about 60% of my total income in total taxes last year. Medieval serfs were only taxed at 10%. Dallas needs to concentrate on public safety, the roads, and essential services only. It is top heavy in administration, and clueless on what is essential. A better way to think of it would be to ask if they had half the employees and half the dollars, what would they have to fund. Forget about more taxes; I for one am prepared to see how many of these other programs I can live without.
We are already paying taxes. And we pay extra on gas. With high city taxes and gas tax the roads within the city and outside should be taken care of without addding another fee to the tax payer. I have to live within my paycheck without going to my boss asking for more money just so I can spend more. Balance the budget. Don't punish the tax payer by charging us more for something we are already paying for.
Wrong direction! We don't need more revenue. Let's peg public salaries to similar private jobs. Let's see an analysis of every staff position added in the last ten years. Cut budgets across the board and let some managers earn their pay deciding how to get it done with less. Every manager in private business has done it, most of them rather recently. Guess we'll have to start by outlawing public unions. Way over due!
Would that not be double taxing? Our taxes pay to have the roads put in already. Now we have to pay to travel the very roads that we built!!!!! This absolutely absurd. Why are they not looking in their own yard when trying to make the budget. If they choose to use our streets to try to make the budget cuts, they should cut road crews in half. We do not need 3 workers and 3 watchers. You know those guys that just stand around watching the cars go by. You should cut the watchers to just one. You think this will be controversial, I think it borders closely to illegal if it isn't , it should be. Ever heard of taxation without representation, her we go again. I have never seen any sign of my city council member every asking what I think. Try another brainstorming session and try to come up with something that makes sense. Maybe ask some tax paying Dallas citizens. Sometimes they have good ideas.
If they want more funds then tap the CAFR funds that are hidden that almost nobody knows about. "Comprehensive Annual Financial Report". Please google CAFR and read and educate yourself on Walter Burien's website that will give you an insight into just how much money is out there that belongs to the people and is being hidden and generating revenue that the people never see. Please take the time to start educating yourself to these things that have been hidden from the people for far too long. This is not even the tip of the iceberg.
The Dallas City Counselors are as short sighted as our representatives in Washington. They don't realize that DURING A RECESSION you "CUT" TAXES not raise them. But that means also that you have to have the GUTS to cut expenses...and that means cutting salaries, laying off people. Most departments could be cut by 30% with no loss of productivity it employees give 100% to their jobs. I am against raising taxes in any form, and I am for cutting salaries and getting the workforcew down to size. NO MORE TAXES.
John King, Dallas, Texas
John King, Dallas, Texas
Lets see; senators voted on their own raise while many of us had to take pay-cuts. They do not get it. If the majority of us are responsible and balance our own lives by cutting back then lets see the government do the same. I for one say let the free market repair itself and government needs to take a step back. No more taxs!!!
I agree with you Scott, lets see if we can get by on less employees instead of taxing us into poverty. I'm unemployed, give me a chance to go to work with you for less that you are paying some of those they employ and see if I can do the job of about 3 of them for 1/3 what they were paid.
Oh no this cannot be allowed. In New York City, The City of London, and a few other places governed by gutless politicians the growth to be paid from is not from new services but from the superflous beauracrates holding the politicians and citizens as hostages to useless planning and pay raises. Not only is the solution to stop the new hires, eliminate people. If those in charge are too gutless, then freeze new hires for three to ten years and don't tell then the whole plan That would be like telling the Taliban our withdrawal schedule. Taxes on my property went from a few hundred dollars in the 1970's to several thousand in three decades. Most of it due to the reluctance of the City of Dallas to put it's foot down.
Charging residents for using road is absurd! They can't even pave the roads! Why do we have to pay that? How about this? Let's cut their salaries and start cutting the staff at the top and maybe there will be more money left! Obviously they aren't smart enought to raise money for the city. They are a joke!
It must be nice for government agencies to tax the public for whatever has shortfalls. Unfortunately the rest of us don't have anyone to tax to help us pay for our shortfalls. We just have to suck it up, spend less and do without many things. Hmmmmm, why doesn't someone bring that idea up? We will certainly understand.
NO! NO!!NO!! Get rid of some of the city unions first. Also some of the pork at city hall. We don't need to get more like the socialists in D. C. WAKE UP City Council. This is still the United States of America - until the anointed one drags us further into socialism. Mary Lou Sumner - 241-351 1419.
Are they KIDDING? I had to pay property taxes to BUILD the streets, I pay taxes for UPKEEP of the streets, and now I have to pay extra taxes to USE the streets? Time to VOTE OUT some city council members if this double taxation happens! UNBELIEVABLE!
Is there no end to the absurd? Why in the world should we pay to use something we paid to build in the first place? Whoever keeps voting to spend tax dollars unwisely or support entitlement programs just really doesn't get it. Out of money is out of money. Cut back on spending and STOP giving it away. But wait, that may make too much sense. Margaret Thatcher was correct - sooner or later you run out of other people's money. Living on someone else's hard work has become a disgusting way of life in this country. I have to live within my means; our government officials are being well-paid but all they seem to be able to think of as a solution to money problems is MORE taxes and MORE government. ENOUGH ALREADY!!!!!!!! Would anyone like to move to Costa Rica? If we all leave, then who will pay for "stuff?" I really am to the point that I realize that common sense arguments do not work any more in the taxpayer's defense.
That is ridiculous !!! What are we paying taxes for.. Seems to me that council members needs to really put their thinking caps on.. Dallas is Top heavy in Administration, Roads are bad, whos is paying me for the auto repairs on my car for the Bad roads- And you want to Charge us for using our Streets???.. Common guys .. Time to VOTE OUT some of city council members if this double taxation happens! UNBELIEVABLE! I voted you guys in.. Time to vote you out..
Dallas council members may want to look at other cities & how they operate more efficiently. Maybe you may want to think about sub contracting some of your Departments out to the Civil sector- Thy way they run a more profitable department which is a cost saver for everyone
Dallas council members may want to look at other cities & how they operate more efficiently. Maybe you may want to think about sub contracting some of your Departments out to the Civil sector- Thy way they run a more profitable department which is a cost saver for everyone
"Havoc" is an under statement! The citizens of this city have paid to build these streets and pay for repairs. We haven't been getting the repairs and it doesn't look like we will get repairs any time soon and if you don't want to see a complete turnover in the City Council you better just tighten your belt like your citizens have to do. Look at the budget and start cutting out all that fluff.
Sounds like a great idea to me. They could set up cameras to
capture the licens plate, then charge just those who use
each road; $25 for each road with no potholes or major damage, with a credit of $0.50 for using the several thousand that have damage. Oops! This will probably result in a net loss. How are we going to build another hotel or city-owened theme park if we lose money on our street usage tax? Beats me!
capture the licens plate, then charge just those who use
each road; $25 for each road with no potholes or major damage, with a credit of $0.50 for using the several thousand that have damage. Oops! This will probably result in a net loss. How are we going to build another hotel or city-owened theme park if we lose money on our street usage tax? Beats me!
Just what does the sizable amount of taxes all citizens who own property cover if not street repairs, etc. Many of us do not have children; so, all the taxes going toward schools is of no benefit to us. What next, taxes for usiing the sidewalks? If the Council would reel in their spending and not ask for almost 200% increase in salaries, perhaps we could save some tax dollars that way????Why is it always the people of Dallas who have to bleed to service the unwise spending voted through the Council? Take the salary raises and FIX THE POT HOLES IN THE STREETS FIRST! Try to fulfill your fiduciary responsibilities before grabbing more self serving tax dollars from the community.
WahWahWah can't balance their budget, Politicians are making it more and more difficult for all of us to balance our own budgets. So now they want to tax us and then make us pay for using roads that for which we have already paid for is wrong on so many levels. Next we will have taxes on taxes--double taxing. Plus higher gas prices. Traffic is horrendous as is. I don't have enough space to tell you how I really feel. Ripped-off, stolen from, taken advantage of pillaged & plundered are but a few words that come to mind. I will look forward to voting this November!
by 
anonymous (BFE) 2010-06-19 17:14:23
I don't really have a problem with the city charging for some roads. But since I live in the Grove and road condition is poor to bad at best. If all our road money keep going to new projects whom is going to take care mainteance of the older roads. I just spent $1,200 on my front end due to a couple of subsurface pot hole even after a quick asphalt repair both lasted 2 weeks before become as bad as before, the repair. I don't think money is so much the problem with older streets as how to repair properly and not just quick and cheep. Since Dallas is not affair to contact construction if we could get them to look at contact road repair also. I'm not saying there won't be problem with repairs but may improve such low rent repairs as those I know of.
Are you kidding me??? We have already been billed and paid for the rights to use these roads tin the form of vehicle registration fees & taxes charged. How can you justify double taxing us??? Instead of further financially burdening already fiscally distressed tax payers, there should be an analysis of money that is being spent on inflated salaries, dead weight positions & padded city project costs. How about an audit on true spending costs so WE THE PEOPLE WHO PAY YOUR SALARIES, AND HENCE THERE FOR SHOULD IN ESSENCE BE YOUR BOSSES, can decide ways to recover & generate revenue without raising the cost of living?
I don't know what the city council members are thinking.
To even consider this type of tax is absurd.
Every member of our city council should have rejected this idea immediately.
I intend to ask my councilperson why he didn't reject this idea right away.
Just because another city has done it doesn't make it right.
What would be next? A tax on breathing the air called quality of life air tax?
To even consider this type of tax is absurd.
Every member of our city council should have rejected this idea immediately.
I intend to ask my councilperson why he didn't reject this idea right away.
Just because another city has done it doesn't make it right.
What would be next? A tax on breathing the air called quality of life air tax?
The city of dallas has a 10% budget shortfall. Why can't they just cut the budget by 10%? How many households in Dallas have had to cut their budget by 10% in the last 18 months? Why is it that govenment never has to do with less? It is always the taxpayers who have to do with less.
Local and federal governments must stop hampering businesses' viability and growth if they want to see revenue from businesses. Otherwise, their tax base shrinks and the weight of the tax burden must be distributed among a smaller group of surviving businesses.
I am opposed to the idea of charging the citicens of Dallas for
streets that we have already paid for with our tax dollars over the years. If you need more money to balance the city's budget cut your spending and do not start with our city services such as garbage,water and emergency services.
streets that we have already paid for with our tax dollars over the years. If you need more money to balance the city's budget cut your spending and do not start with our city services such as garbage,water and emergency services.
I am totally opposed Everything the cities think of is taxes, taxes and more taxes, may be we can get rid of the amount of people that don't know how to do the job of managing the Cities and get qualified ones that know what they are doing and balance the budget.
No, I am totally against it
No, I am totally against it
Via MSNBC:
Half a dozen Dallas City Council members publicly endorsed Wednesday a property-tax hike to solve a $131 million budget shortfall.
Councilman Steve Salazar proposed a tax rate increase of at least 2 cents during a budget briefing.
“One for safety and one for service; we cut to the bone last year,” Salazar said.
Councilman Dwaine Caraway suggested a rate hike as much as 8 cents may be justified after several years of rejecting tax hikes.
“If we do raise taxes, I want you to know I’m going to raise them as high as we can raise them,” Caraway said. “I just want to deal with this one time.”
You can contact Mayor Leppert and your own city council member here : http://www.dallascityhall.com/government/government.html
Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
By 2010-05-20 11:47:40
Mr. Natinsky,
I want to express my concern about the councils consideration of any tax increases. Before any such discussion, a complete evaluation of people count and their productivity in all departments must be done. I think there are too many folks working for the city government who do little work. Please make this recommendation in the next council meeting.
Respectfully,
Bill Kean
I want to express my concern about the councils consideration of any tax increases. Before any such discussion, a complete evaluation of people count and their productivity in all departments must be done. I think there are too many folks working for the city government who do little work. Please make this recommendation in the next council meeting.
Respectfully,
Bill Kean
TO Dallas City Council
These morons that want to raise taxes are the same morons that are building a 500 Million dollar hotel, an 80 million dollar "5 acre" park over the highway and squandered a 250 million on the trinity river and so far have only created a diarama and the money is gone.
Down goes the Dallas bond rating further.
You morons at city council should be ashamed and embarrassed followed by your resignitations.
Kevin Green
These morons that want to raise taxes are the same morons that are building a 500 Million dollar hotel, an 80 million dollar "5 acre" park over the highway and squandered a 250 million on the trinity river and so far have only created a diarama and the money is gone.
Down goes the Dallas bond rating further.
You morons at city council should be ashamed and embarrassed followed by your resignitations.
Kevin Green
Here are some suggestions to solve
the debt problems:
Any city employee making $60K or
more gets a 10% paycut.
City employees who make less than
this get a 5% cut.
Also double the amount that city employees have to pay for health
insurance out of their own pockets.
Also city employees should have one
furlough day per quarter.
As much as I hate taxes how about
adding a half cent per $1000 for
property taxes and a quarter of
one percent sales tax.
These totals should reduce the
debt substantially.
the debt problems:
Any city employee making $60K or
more gets a 10% paycut.
City employees who make less than
this get a 5% cut.
Also double the amount that city employees have to pay for health
insurance out of their own pockets.
Also city employees should have one
furlough day per quarter.
As much as I hate taxes how about
adding a half cent per $1000 for
property taxes and a quarter of
one percent sales tax.
These totals should reduce the
debt substantially.
Kevin Green is right on target! Also, Adam Berns! In today's market raising any taxes would be a disaster! Cut the spending!! To raise property tax is ridiculous, I feel I already am over charged. Since our City Officials made such POOR financial decision's for our city...THEIR SALARIE'S should be cut!!
No property tax hikes. It is time that the evaluation of all function take place. we have cut our spending. you do the same. also why is it you do not consider a increase in sales tax? the first thing you do it increase the property tax NO PROPERTY TAX HIKE Great city council you burn over $250 million on a very trinty the trinity river $500 million plus on a stupid hotel You can not run a city no less a hotel. The city council should cut there salary by 15%
As a former Dallas councilmember I know that these proposed hikes will fall almost entirely on North Dallas council districts. South Dallasites pay comparatively little in property taxes. That's why the south Dallas councilmembers always call for the biggest hikes possible. Their constituents will receive all the benefits, but will pay little for them.
We're drowning in DEBT not TAXES.
During the "publicly-owned" Dallas convention center hotel referendum, one great slogan was "Safer Streets, Not Hotel Suites." My, how things DON'T change. Dallas taxpayers now have a half-Billion dollar revenue bond debt that has our good name (general fund) on it as collateral. And our elected reps are proposing a tax hike, cuts in police and fire pay, and they keep issuing new bond debt as if there were no bottom to the well. But, then again, how can I really blame the elected reps? Dallas voters keep on voting FOR more bond debt. And Dallas voters didn't pass the referendum that would have prevented the PUBLIC from owning the convention center hotel. Really, at the end of the day, I find it hard to place too much blame on the elected without placing due blame on the electorate. Quit voting FOR bond debt, Dallas. And quit letting these bozos at the horseshoe issue the types of bond debt that they don't even have to put before the voters.
During the "publicly-owned" Dallas convention center hotel referendum, one great slogan was "Safer Streets, Not Hotel Suites." My, how things DON'T change. Dallas taxpayers now have a half-Billion dollar revenue bond debt that has our good name (general fund) on it as collateral. And our elected reps are proposing a tax hike, cuts in police and fire pay, and they keep issuing new bond debt as if there were no bottom to the well. But, then again, how can I really blame the elected reps? Dallas voters keep on voting FOR more bond debt. And Dallas voters didn't pass the referendum that would have prevented the PUBLIC from owning the convention center hotel. Really, at the end of the day, I find it hard to place too much blame on the elected without placing due blame on the electorate. Quit voting FOR bond debt, Dallas. And quit letting these bozos at the horseshoe issue the types of bond debt that they don't even have to put before the voters.
I have tremendous concern in regard to a possible property tax rate hike at this time. Most home owners are barely hanging on to their homes due to job loss, reductions in pay, business losses, increases in utility rates and countless other issues. Dallas foreclosures are at an all time high. Everyone has been touched by the recession. I urge the City to look closely at budgetary allotments and trim its budget, just as every citizen has had to do over the last two years.
Hello,
I want to express my concern at the amount of city funds wasted on fulfilling global warming concerns. Man Made Global Warming/climate change has been proven false! Why is our tax money still funding the resulting depts. The portion below is from 3.9.
Greenhouse gas emissions are
known to contribute to climate change which the scientific community estimates will lead to rising sea levels, temperature variations, flooding, and
drought. OEQ provides the following consulting services for reducing emissions: evaluation of emission sources and control technologies; monitoring
citywide emission reductions; solicitation and management of grants and other awards; public outreach and education; and coordination with
environmental agencies and regional partners on the State Implementation Plan and other regional initiatives. OEQ also provides outreach and grant
I want to express my concern at the amount of city funds wasted on fulfilling global warming concerns. Man Made Global Warming/climate change has been proven false! Why is our tax money still funding the resulting depts. The portion below is from 3.9.
Greenhouse gas emissions are
known to contribute to climate change which the scientific community estimates will lead to rising sea levels, temperature variations, flooding, and
drought. OEQ provides the following consulting services for reducing emissions: evaluation of emission sources and control technologies; monitoring
citywide emission reductions; solicitation and management of grants and other awards; public outreach and education; and coordination with
environmental agencies and regional partners on the State Implementation Plan and other regional initiatives. OEQ also provides outreach and grant
The answer is always more taxes. It makes no difference if its local, state or federal. More taxes, more spending.
I'm having to go again this year and fight the large increase in my properety taxes. Now their talking about increasing it again.
When does it stop?
I'm having to go again this year and fight the large increase in my properety taxes. Now their talking about increasing it again.
When does it stop?
by anonymous (BFE) 2010-05-21 16:13:23
I do not see a problem and given more money to this city. As long as is well spent, but if you keep laying people off taken too much time to respond to citizen with standard needs like parks and pave street. I would have some problems.
Why is is that our government officials only see the easy way out - that is, taxing the already over-taxed population? The better and the more difficult choice is to cut the waste and the needless spending on programs that are not necessary to running government.
Wake up, you idiots! I can't believe I voted for the ones in my district. Have you not watched what is going on in D.C.? Our nation (and city) is going down the tubes, and you are hastening the demise. Listen to your constituents AND taxpayers. Have you people NEVER run your OWN business (es)??? Mary Lou Sumner. 241-351-1419
The lions share of many cities' budget is police and fire. In many cities this consumes all sales and property tax. To effectively reduce municipal spending, public safety cannot be immune from cuts.
Next, IMHO the CAFR issue is a red herring. Cities are required to maintain fund balances for all municipal services to maintain their bond rating. Lose a good bond eating and interest on municipal obligations (CO & GO bonds) goes up increasing the debt service portion of the budget. The CAFR is an audited document that reports the status of those funds. There is no hidden pool of money that can be a silver bullet for funding cities.
Next, IMHO the CAFR issue is a red herring. Cities are required to maintain fund balances for all municipal services to maintain their bond rating. Lose a good bond eating and interest on municipal obligations (CO & GO bonds) goes up increasing the debt service portion of the budget. The CAFR is an audited document that reports the status of those funds. There is no hidden pool of money that can be a silver bullet for funding cities.
Thanks for your interest!
This is a group of Dallas Citizens dedicated to keeping an eye on government at all levels.
By 2010-05-17 17:45:33
Tuesday through Thursday nights usually work best for me, preferably somewhere along Central, but I'm flexible.
Let's get together! :-D