06.12.07
Revised: Sangaree’s Tax Increase Is a Symptom of the Disease
Over the past couple of weeks, I have been receiving information from sources regarding the tax increase for the Sangaree Special Tax District. I posted the information that I have thus far to Sangaree Connection tonight. The piece I posted there is simply the facts, ma’am. However, I believe that this tax increase has greater significance then simply the $50 - $150 bucks that I will be forking out next year.
First of all, it is silly that we are facing a tax hike, because “Whoops! We just didn’t think to look ahead more than a year. My bad!” No, $50 isn’t a heck of a lot of money. But it rubs me the wrong way that an organization in charge of 1.3 million dollars per year does not have a qualified CPA who prepares budget forecasts. The tax district was under-collecting taxes for four years to the tune of $300,000 each year to spend down the savings that had collected. We can afford it an accountant.
Next, I would like say that I don’t like that the tax district had about a million dollars parked in the kitty and the Sangaree Special Tax District Advisory Commission, who no one elected, decided to spend it down by under-collecting taxes. For 20 years or so, the Sangaree neighborhoods have been going without playgrounds and parks and our kids have been running around like hooligans for lack of anything better to do. I bet a million dollars could have set up at least two parks with playground equipment for our families to enjoy. A million dollars could have built a community center. A community center and playgrounds would increase all of our property values and in the end brought in more tax revenue. But no… five short-sighted people decided they would rather pay less taxes.
The tax district commission believes that they don’t have to answer to the residents of Sangaree because no one shows up at their meetings. Do they want our input? Let’s look at the evidence: They only recently began advertising their meetings in advance. They do not actively seek community participation or input in their decisions. They don’t publicize what decisions they are making. The first time they did advertise their meeting throughout the subdivisions, 150-200 people showed up. For their next meeting, they did not advertise in the subdivisions and once again, hardly anyone showed up. Is it a coincidence that this was the meeting in which they were accepting nominations for an opening on the commission?
On the other hand, for our crime watch meetings, we post notices throughout Sangaree every month and 50-75 people attend each time. We have over 300 residents on our mailing list.
The residents do care about our neighborhoods. They do want a say in what is happening in Sangaree, and they are being stifled. I hope at the next tax commission meeting, we can get another 150-200 people there and ask for:
- Publishing the proposed budget each year and accept public input before it is sent to the County.
- Publish the final County-approved budget.
- Publish all policy changes proposed by the Tax District Advisory Commission and request public input before making a decision.
- Begin an aggressive policy of providing recreation in Sangaree, as mandated by the Sangaree Special Tax District’s charter. (Sec. 62-172)
Sangaree has some serious problems right now, that is no secret. I believe that it is going to take major changes to the current procedures of the tax district to get them done, and I hope that that will happen.
Update: I revised this blog entry. I realized that I was being a bit unfair to people who are doing their best to help the community. I still stand by the content of what I wrote, though not necessarily the tone.
