Letters to the EditorPalm Beach Post
OP Ed Piece
September 15, 2014
After voters turned down the $63.5 million bond issue on Aug. 26, I have some suggestions to upgrade the city’s infrastructure that can work. It may take a little longer, but it can get done. And if the taxable values of our properties keep going up, as they are this year, the city will have more revenue in the general fund to work with and not need as much bond money.
Think smaller and more affordable. Propose a $5 million or $10 million bond. If that goes well, ask for another bond in a few years. Have the bond mature in fewer years – 10 at the most. We shouldn’t still be paying for repairs that have since become obsolete. Don’t discourage new businesses and residents — keep the additional tax burden low.
Don’t combine residential streets with the Park of Commerce. These should be separate bond issues. Let the people decide exactly what parts of the city they are willing to improve. The less there is to object to, the more likely residents will vote for the bond.
The bond should be precise and for work in a specific area. The costs of the repairs should be itemized and add up to the amount of the bond. Show where every dollar will be spent.
Spread the work around the city. Don’t re-pave four blocks then skip one, then do the next two. Consistency looks better.
Reconsider whether all low traffic roads should be paved. Unpaved roads absorb rain better and control runoff.
Think long-term. Many of us do believe global warming is real. Engineer the roads and infrastructure for the future.
Start by asking us what improvements we would like and where we would like them. Voters are more likely to approve a bond that does what we want it to, not just what the mayor and city commission want.
Explain the cost to us in clear, not fuzzy numbers. We need to know specifically how much will be added to our tax bills for each year the bond is outstanding. The amount should be fixed for each property at the time the bond is issued, not fluctuate with future taxable values.
There needs to be an accountability plan in place for overseeing the money that we can trust in. Start by hiring a permanent city finance director. Set up safeguards. Have auditors and a citizens’ watch committee to monitor how the money is being dispersed.
Don’t waste $50,000 of the city’s money to convince us of something we don’t want. If you have a good, fair and transparent bond plan, it will sell itself.
LAURIE WITKIN
This is a great letter.
ReplyDeleteAgain...someone attempting to post here calling us "dopes' and writes anonymously against someone who gave some solutions. You guys are bullies. Read the GD policy.
ReplyDeleteAmen. Our roads should not be held hostage by Commissioners like Scott Maxwell who only want their shiny objects, like the park Of Commerce. Mr. Maxwell ,you are OUR representative.Unfortunately, this bond was all about pushing YOUR agenda.And you had the nerve to take 50,000 of MY money to push for YOUR wants and needs. Please REPLACE the 50,000 you and the rest of this administration used on literature that did in no way inform the voters on what this bond was really about.Commissioner Maxwell, it's time for you to try something new. Try LISTENING to your citizens instead of LECTURING them. You might actually learn something. Katie Mcgiveron,
ReplyDeleteSome good ideas, as I've posted many times I think we all can agree that our infrastructure needs help. (it seems to be an issue all over the County, there was a Sun Sentinel article about roads and WPTV covered the issue this weekend too). But I voted no do the very high cost of this Bond and how it was going to hit certain people and not others.
ReplyDeleteThe big shots gave away the farm and came to us with their hands out.
ReplyDelete5:16, your comments make no sense. What did they giveaway.
ReplyDeleteThe truth is that the people spoke and this was not the true path. We all agree that we need to fix everything however this commission did not listen and was after a money grab. With true leadership they can start a rebuilding project at an affordable rate for the tax payer.
ReplyDeleteWhat is plan B? Anybody ? The knuckleheads that are supposed to be representing us are on permanent vacation. Instead of her whine-fest, Mayor Triolo should have been bringing people together with a real plan.I guess she is just to petty to be the leader that Lake Worth needs.
ReplyDeleteplan b. time for you to shut down your name calling and just pay your share.
ReplyDeleteProperty owners are willing to pay their fair share based on property value-it was the huge discrepancy in property value that was a big problem for some who were going to have to shoulder the burden for 70% of the city.
ReplyDeleteThe biggest problem of all, IMO, was the lack of trust, then the amount, then the term, then the lack of details.
For me the problem was that the City was asking the same 30% of the city property owners to pay the full cost of the bond repayment, with no cap, while also having those same people pay all of the City's taxes.
ReplyDeleteAs the saying goes, you can't keep going to the same well time and time again. We need to expand our tax base so more people pay into the system and we need to attract business and new, higher end residents. Do you think people will buy or invest in a town with the highest tax rate in the County?