The council voted on the final 2011 budget and tax rate tonight.  The tax rate has remained the same as last year.  Because properties were reassessed this year, the tax rate will have different affects on residents based on their tenure in the city and changing home values.  For long time residents, whose taxable values have been limited by the homestead property assessment limitations, you may see an increase in taxes as your assessment catches up to the market value, while more recent purchasers whose assessments went down may actually see a reduction in their taxes.  Overall, taxes relative to home values are equalizing between long time residents and more recent arrivals.

It was a tough budget year that saw the loss of eight city staff positions, increases in city fees for some services, and an outlook for next year that suggests things will be even more difficult. 

I look forward to discussing the budget and options for next year in the coming months.  It is imperative that we have this discussion in our community and that we do it before the budget process begins next winter.  It is likely that more significant changes will be needed next year.  This year there was talk of eliminating and/or restructuring city services versus tax increases.  We will need to have a community wide discussion of city service priorities and taxation.  It is my hope that the Mayor will support a community wide process, but at the very least I would like to have that conversation in Ward Two.

Colleen