IN YOUR CORNER

by the Martin County Taxpayers' Association 08/29/99

The school district accomplished what the county commission has been unable to do for years. They cut taxes. In addition, the school district eliminated the transfer of capital funds to operations; a practice that had been going on for years against all budgetary reason. This means that money intended for building schools will be so used. It is primarily increased efficiency in operations that had made the transfer unnecessary. Now, with a comfortable financial picture in both the operations and capital budgets, and income forecasts in excess of expenditures, we think the school district might consider reducing their tax bite even more. They might consider reducing at least an additional .25 mils from capital spending in this budget, which equates to about $2 million. If the money is not in the budget it might not be spent.

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While the school district is thinking about saving money, they should make the necessary changes in the employee health plan. An group of outside auditors criticized the existing plan and called it extravagant. The school district has been told this before. The plan is written in a way that invites abuse and it has been abused, resulting in large cost increases for taxpayers. The school board doesn't seem to think that this program can be reopened now, but we think the teachers who just received a pay increase, which was about twice the cost of living increase, should be agreeable. If they choose not to be, that stance should be discussed in the future.

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Increased property values eased the tax pain of additional county spending for taxpayers this year and much of this increased value was new commercial property and not an increase in taxes on previously taxed property. Commercial expansion not only adds value to the tax rolls, it is cheap expansion because commercial property requires fewer services per dollar of taxes paid. In light of these facts, the disagreement between the commission and the Economic Council and Chamber of Commerce about the county's economic element is of interest to taxpayers. We need a sound economic element in our comprehensive plan and we do not think the commission can write it unaided. They should listen to the Chamber and the Council and discuss their versions of the economic element, a key part of the Sustainable Communities program, before making any decision.

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The county has purchased another piece of land they cannot use at a cost in excess of $700,000. This property was purchased for the county Health Department which does need new quarters. However, the County Attorney's office once again neglected to check the zoning. Now, again after the money has been spent, the land must be rezoned and rezoning must be done by the City of Stuart who has no reason to do so. We think this procedure has been repeated often enough by our legal experts. It is high time they realize that taxpayer money is important.

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Martin County is currently bidding to furnish Fire and Emergency Services protection to Sewall's Point, which now buys this service from the City of Stuart for $207,000 per year. If the county charged Sewall's Point at the same rate everyone in the county pays, the price would be over $500,000 per year. Obviously, the county plans to make a competitive bid, which would mean that county taxpayers would be subsidizing Sewall's Point. This plan is being orchestrated by the same majority that voted for the most expensive Lyons Bridge replacement. If the majority is doing this just to spite the City of Stuart, and we can see no other reason, taxpayers should complain.

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A number of years ago, the clerk of courts, whose office serves ad the accounting department for all county departments, hired an internal auditor to help guard county assets. A committee, including a member of the Taxpayers' Association, reviews the audit assignments and initial reports. The auditor has reviewed the procedure of departments collecting funds and located sources of missed or under-collected revenue. The school board hired such an auditor two years ago and this audit is also reviewed by an outside board and has proved beneficial. We hope an outside board may sometime review the county budget since such a review has proven effective in reducing costs.

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As you notice we have changed locations in the Stuart News. This move was by mutual consent and should make our column easier to find. Despite our location on the opinion page, you will find our column still full of facts that we hope will keep you abreast of the doings of our county's leaders and their use of your tax money.


W e encourage your comments, criticisms, ideas, or any questions about how your taxes work; call or fax 288-0474 or write to us at PO Box 741, Stuart, FL 34995 or e-mail us at admin@mctaxpayers.org or visit our WEB site, mctaxpayers.org.