Letters and Comments for September 30, 2009

Clements

Cuts impact city services

To the Editor:

A recent letter from Dan Pokorney got one thing right. The La Grande City Council is looking at ways to increase revenues. That’s the only thing he got right.

Businesses charge fees to provide services, so does the city. In many cases, however, the fees do not cover the costs of the time and materials required to deliver the service. What happens is that the few people who use the service are subsidized by all taxpayers. The council is considering increases in some fees to cover costs, increases that very few people will experience.

After four years on the city council and at least that long on the school board, Dan should know something about tax laws. Property taxes cannot, repeat cannot, be increased except by voters. What is hard to believe is that Dan neglects to mention this process, and instead falls back on the old standard of anger about tax increases in general.

Dan also should know that the Public Works budget is not connected to property taxes, but is funded through grants and services provided. The Public Works Department does a great job saving money over time to replace aging vehicles, much like you save for a large expense.

This fiscal year, the city council cut positions across departments in order to balance the budget. Additional cuts are expected next year. Sooner rather than later, citizens of La Grande will feel these reductions in less service. How much of a reduction are you willing to accept?

The city council takes consideration of revenue increases very seriously. The process is difficult enough without someone intentionally confusing the matter with misleading comments. If you have questions, ask for answers from someone who knows what’s going on and not from someone with a personal agenda.

Steve Clements

La Grande city councilor