Mayor Changes Sales Tax Position

In the State of the City Speech Sunday, the Mayor expressed opposition to the proposed sales tax (favoring more "cuts" instead), contradicting previous statements he made at finance committee meetings and elsewhere. At the Mar 16th finance meeting, the Mayor said he's concerned "what's going to happen during Summer months" and he's "squeezed his managers" all he can: "they scream every year they don't have enough to pay the bills (at years end)." He also pondered the best way to "get cash back in" the general fund and promoted a 1.5% sales tax vice 2%, "the same as Spanish Fort. . . to keep our level of services." The Mayor also suggested looking at resident Vince Valentin's recent proposal to reduce other taxes/fees (ad valorem, gross receipts, etc.) concurrently-- when the proposed 2% sales tax was enacted. The Mayor was the only candidate (for Mayor) who claimed the City was in good financial condition last Summer.

Comments

Benny B. said…
Mayor Flip Flop, as usual. Good political move, bad public policy. :( Lets hope the 3 City Coucilmen can rise above the political quagmire and do the right thing instead of just wait for some crisis to force it.

Notice the Mayor didn't say he opposes raising your utility bills higher and higher instead of asking out of towners to help pay with a s. tax. (pretty sneaky!)

(he's already raised your water/sewer)
Anonymous said…
We see how ""weak" our Mayor is, now let's see just how "strong" our Council is. Public Safety's now being put at risk by all the political shenanigans.

More secret Utility rate hikes instead is dis-honest.
The Berry's said…
The Mayor can start by cutting employee salaries and benefits as far a we're concered
Anonymous said…
why's it good to raise our own bill for necesssities (utility bills) but bad to put a sales tax on necessities like groceries? dont make any sense. at least folks from out of town who now pay the city nothing would help some with a sales tax. put on your thinkin cap mr. mayor.
babybird said…
this guy has no credibility left at all
Broke Utility Customer said…
I agree with Kant on this one. Lets cut back salaries, benefits, employee pensions first. Padlock the new Rec. Center and let the ballfields way down in Barnwell go to seed. Privatize the Airport too. Start hardscaping instead of planting so many flowers. Forget burying utilities too.

We cant keep giving money to "Trail Maids" and such to go to Washington just cause Jo Bonner asks for it either!
Anonymous said…
wish these people would grow up and get the job done. quit the phony political games already, its damaging our City. Putting public safety at risk.
P Dee said…
the Mayor wants to raise your utility rates instead! watch out for this guy. he's a slick politician of the worst kind. will say or do anything to win.
Anonymous said…
$65K in legal fees because of cronyism...17 diff't lawsuits against the city ongoing...dozens of Kan'ts relatives on the payroll without legititmate job descriptions...

Kant is a snake oils salesman.
A cancer eating us from the indside out.