The outstanding men and women of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office and the Teachers and staff of the Charles County Public School system are the finest anywhere. I am thankful for your contribution every day and you deserve the total support of our government.
So, my abstention vote is not a vote against anything, not against law enforcement and not against education. I think that the work force of these agencies should be paid adequately or their valuable service. No, my vote is in response to the direct impact that our decision will have on the other side of the ledger. Not enough consideration for a mixture of cuts and the use of fund balance was offered as a solution to balance the FY2013 operating budget. The result is a budget that will put in place one of the largest property tax rate increases in recent Charles County memory.
Throughout these budget discussions, it was my hope the capture the sentiments of the residents who don’t send emails or text messages to make their case. I value all of the advice and recommendations I receive as I travel throughout the county. It is my job, therefore to weigh that advice and make a decision based on what I believe is fair to the majority of our citizens during these difficult times.
After careful consideration of my vote, I factored in the multiplier effect that an increase in government spending would have on future operating budgets. With teach pension costs shifting to local jurisdictions, we have to be very careful and judicious with matters like this because this type of decision carries generation and post-employment costs that will have to be accounted for during subsequent budget years.
My responsibility is to do what is best for the greater good. Significantly increasing, as a revenue source, property taxes in tough economic times amounts to questionable fiscal policy, particularly when we are basing the budget on projections for year-end personal income tax results.
I fault myself for two things. First, I should have done a better job articulating the need to approach this budget using the tools that are at our disposal other than increasing taxes. That includes cuts in spending and the use of at least a portion of our fund balance.
Secondly, my inability to make a difference in improving our commercial tax base severely limits revenue options. A robust commercial tax base would put us in a better position to absorb increases in expenditures. I am committed to making this budget work despite my concerns. I will continue to work diligently to find additional sources of revenue that will make it possibly, in the future, to perhaps reduce the tax rate.
