Colorado Springs recently had an election in which residents were offered the chance to triple their property taxes in order to maintain city services at present levels. This came about because sales tax revenues had declined 22% because of the recession. A 'yes' vote would have restored $27.6 million [[13%) to the city's $212 million general fund budget. One busisnessman asked why the city spends $89,000 per employee; a rate higher than that received by private employees. The majority voted, instead, against tripling their property taxes forcing the City to drastically reduce services including the number of firefighters, street lighting, park maintainance, and bus service.
This choice by Colorado Springs voters is being viewed as a lab case to see how such an experiment goes. How will residents adjust? This cut in city services will hurt some people but so would a tripling of property taxes. California and some other places will have to make similar decisions soon. Might this work in one place and not in another and why? Would you vote to triple your own property taxes given the same options?
Colorado Springs cuts into services considered basic by many
Can a Town Survive With Nearly No Government? with additional links at the end of this article.
In a related story, Ashtabula County in Ohio also had to make some budget cuts including reducing the size of it's police frce from 112 to 49. There is a waiting list of 700 people waiting to do jail time. "Ashtabula County Common Pleas Judge Alfred Mackey was asked what residents should do to protect themselves and their families with the severe cutback in law enforcement. "Arm themselves," the judge said. "Be very careful, be vigilant, get in touch with your neighbors, because we're going to have to look after each other.""
Ashtabula County: Judge tells residents to "Arm themselves"
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