Charlotte city manager wants 1% property tax increase to hire police

[TexasTowelie]

To pay for 50 new police officers, Charlotte City Manager Ron Carlee has recommended a small property tax increase in the upcoming year’s budget, which was unveiled Monday.

But City Council could choose another path, if it’s wary of raising the tax rate for the third time in four years.

One option is to increase the fees people pay for garbage collection, while another is to eliminate trash collection for apartments.

Read more: http://democratsforever.freeforums.net/thread/7739/charlotte-manager-wants-property-increase

My commentary is included at the link.

[Sherman A1]

1. I think the first question to ask

is not how to fund the increase, but if the increase is really necessary? Adding 50 officers seems to be a significant number in my opinion. Is there a reason behind it? A large increase in crime statistics or current understaffing? That's a whole lot of people to train, pay and equip?

[FreakinDJ]

2. 1% of property values is a HUGE increase

[TexasTowelie]

3. From the article:

Carlee has proposed no changes to garbage fees or garbage collection, for now. His plan would increase the property tax rate by 0.43 cents, which is about a 1 percent increase.

Combined with recommended increases in water and sewer fees, the owner of a home with a taxable value of $141,100 – the city’s median price – would pay an additional $36.55 in taxes and fees annually.

The owner of a house valued at $300,000 would pay about $44 more in taxes and water and sewer fees.

[FreakinDJ]

4. They calculate it differently then California

1% property taxes = $2600 for me

[TexasTowelie]

5. Yes, what they meant

was a 1% increase in the property tax rate rather than a a property tax increase equal to 1% of the value of a residence. That would likely cause some coronary attacks if that occurred.

[FreakinDJ]

6. Personally I rather De-fund the police until they stop shooting unarmed citizens

[TexasTowelie]

7. I used to think that way when I was younger,

but I've been a crime victim a few times also so I accept the good with the bad about police. They can be over zealous at times when they aren't needed, but when you did need them then they are good to have around. The best thing that people can do is not to give them any reason to take action even if does mean some inconvenience. There will still be some that abuse their authority, but the alternative to not behaving is usually a lot worse.

[FreakinDJ]

8. I live in a town that has No Police Force and we have much lower crime rate

In fact we have voted 3 times NOT to have a police force

We can call the neighboring County Sheriff if need be - but that alternative is ever seldom done. Occasionally State Highway Patrol shows up on main st to enforce "Zero Tolerance". Usually 4:pm Friday afternoon to cite all the working stiffs coming home with minor traffic infractions such as expired registration or a signal light out. "Quota Building"