The City of Fort Pierce is seeking increased revenue streams, and Commissioners, especially those facing elections, are proposing a tax increase. City of Fort Pierce Finance Director, Gloria Johnson has also steered them toward a place she deems rich in cash: the Fort Pierce Utilities Authority. She said she identified FPUA cash reserves that would pay the city $1.5 million more than it did this year. The FPUA says its cash reserves are accounted for in the annual rate study and if the city is successful in getting more money out of the FPUA, the utility will have to increase rates.
The Commissioners are faced with the dilemma of increasing taxes and risking an angry electorate, or increasing the transfer from the FPUA to the City, this year at $4 million, and let the ratepayers be angry at the FPUA. The taxpayer and the ratepayer are one and the same, for the most part, so either way, the lowly resident and business owner will be asked to pay more. Increasing taxes or utility rates will hasten the local economic decline, and will not address the real problem: excessive spending
According to Finance Director Johnson, the City needs the money for future budgets, especially in 2013 and beyond, for increased debt service payments. The total debt service payment of the City of Fort Pierce will be $5,278,827 in 2014. The City's debt is due, largely, because City Commissioners purchased property at top price, such as Jetty Park and Fisherman's Wharf, plus other properties, and built a parking garage and retail space behind city hall. Now, the taxpayer, or the ratepayer, is being asked to pay for their spending spree. .
According to Finance Director Johnson, the City needs the money for future budgets, especially in 2013 and beyond, for increased debt service payments. The total debt service payment of the City of Fort Pierce will be $5,278,827 in 2014. The City's debt is due, largely, because City Commissioners purchased property at top price, such as Jetty Park and Fisherman's Wharf, plus other properties, and built a parking garage and retail space behind city hall. Now, the taxpayer, or the ratepayer, is being asked to pay for their spending spree. .
There is a way that the taxpayer and the ratepayer could be treated fairly. Do not raise taxes or utility rates, but reduce personnel and other costs. Salary and benefit levels at the City and the FPUA have become increasingly generous and cannot be sustained. The private sector has had to tighten its belt, and so must government.
Read about this issue in the news:
http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2011/sep/01/fort-pierce-commissioner-becht-may-hold-key-to/
http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2011/aug/12/fpua-rates-could-go-up-if-fort-pierce-asks-for/
http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2011/sep/01/fort-pierce-commissioner-becht-may-hold-key-to/
http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2011/aug/12/fpua-rates-could-go-up-if-fort-pierce-asks-for/
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