According to a story in the June 23 rd Stuart News, “A property tax increase of about $65 is on the way for the average homeowner in unincorporated Martin County if commissioners approve the 2011 budget proposed Tuesday…. increasing the property tax rate by about 43 cents to $7.9359 per $1,000 of assessed value.”  The same day we are given a continuing story about our School District Superintendent wanting to raise their tax rates as well.  In each story we are told, ‘well its only a little increase’.  In other words, in order to keep from cutting spending, we are all going to be taxed more.  Our reaction?  NO!  And that is the reaction we expect from our County Commissioners and School Board Members.

Your Taxpayers association has spent hours and hours talking to some of the commissioners and staffers at both County Government and the School District about ways to reduce spending.  They all even asked us for recommendations.  The rub is that our recommendations have been largely disregarded.  We thought that it is time to share some with you.  Maybe if more citizens let their elected officials know that we have had enough we can garner the support necessary to make spending cut decisions.  And, we do understand the government by “tee shirt” used to fill meeting rooms in defense of a pet issue.

1.  We are sorry but personnel costs are what drive spending.  We have to cut salaries and eliminate all non-essential and positions. Tier the cuts, starting with those making the most to spare those making the least.  We are told this might produce about $600,000.00 in cuts from our County budget, not exactly "chump change." 

2.  Without contract re-negotiation, there is little or no control over what happens to the union workers without their much needed cooperation.  It will take great political fortitude to force concessions but without some help from the unions the burden will fall squarely on the non-union workers.

3.  Benefits are costing as much or more than salaries; there are also many areas in the benefits area that could be reduced.  For example, the county splits the cost of health insurance premiums 75/25, look at going to70/30 and raising deductibles.  Change the retiree benefits programs by buying an AARP type medi-gap program for retirees.  With that plus Medicare the retirees will not be that bad off.  This is what the private sector companies are doing every day.

4.  The unions should voluntarily freeze the step salary increases and cost of living adjustments rather than be shamed into giving them up.  Its hard for most to understand how some can demand a raise while others lose their jobs. 

5.  The whole issue of paid time off and paid sick time should be eliminated or revised.

In summary, there are many ways in which the county and the school district can reduce the budget if they want to do it.  The claim that the increase is ONLY $65,00 or $50 is a specious argument and an insult to taxpayers.  And, it’s a heck of a lot higher for struggling businesses.  Again, the county and the school district have to understand that 90 percent of the budget is in pay and benefits and taxpayers are just now being made aware of the fact that those who serve them now enjoy better pay and benefits than those who pay for them!!!!

To close we would like to try to clear the air on one other issue, the new Aquatics Center .  We supported that because the voters approved it by referendum, the County collected our taxes specifically for that purpose and the money can not be legally transferred to another use.