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April 9, 2010 in City
Verner says new taxes not an option
Verner says new taxes not an option
Spokane Mayor Mary Verner says she’s not considering new taxes to bail the city out of its $10 million hole for 2011.
City leaders will present a preliminary budget plan to the City Council by early May, Verner said in an interview this week. She said she will ask all departments to take an across-the-board cut of nearly 3 percent that will save $3.5 million and will unveil a plan in the coming weeks to deal with the remaining $6.5 million hole.
“Our work force will shrink this time around. There’s no way around it,” Verner said. “This year, there will be impact on services.”
Verner has ruled out raising utility taxes and says she doesn’t plan to ask voters for higher property taxes through a levy lid lift. That was part of Mayor Jim West’s strategy to help deal with significant deficits in 2005.
“I’m not counting on any increased ongoing source of revenue,” Verner said. “One reason that I’m not counting on them is … I don’t know if they’re going to be viable in this economic climate.”
She said some members of the City Council have advised her that they want to consider new taxes or fees to help fill the gap.
“Even if they do come up with new revenue, it just gives us a little more cushion. It doesn’t solve the budget problem,” Verner said.
She said she is asking for city union “help” in achieving savings for the $6.5 million portion of the deficit but declined to elaborate.
Verner also said part of the $6.5 million in cuts could be saved by eliminating programs or cutting some areas more significantly than the across-the-board cut. She declined to give further details until the plan is released.
“It’s not fair to the City Council to not roll them out to them first,” she said.
City Councilman Steve Corker said there are signs that the economy is improving, which he hopes will help the city forgo property tax increases beyond the 1 percent rise it usually takes.
City Councilwoman Nancy McLaughlin called the mayor’s decision not to pursue taxes to fill the gap “refreshing news.” She said she hopes the budget also includes union concessions so the budget involves more than “huge, sweeping cuts” in programs.
MAC faces angry crowd 
Truthbtold on April 09 at 5:30 a.m.
Thanks Mayor Verner~
These are hard times for all of us, thanks for thinking of the citizens and not “big biz”. We’ll make it through this, just nice to know your first instinct is not to raise taxes on us, as far as the services that will have to take a hit……well….it has to be taken somewhere!
We are a tough city, we will bounce back, and we understand that when the going gets tough, something has to give.
liarsinnews on April 09 at 6:39 a.m.
Mayor Verner is telling a lie. The utility users shall have a increases regarding the city utility taxes. They would include, telephone, electric, natural gas, cell phone, comcast, and any other city utilities that increase the user rates. PERIOD!!! Notwithstanding, if the ballot for EMS is approved, effective January 1, 2011 the taxpayers will see increases in their real estate tax.
Ninch on April 09 at 7:00 a.m.
Uh… taxes do not discriminate… they both impact citizens and “big biz”… the latter employing citizens. Please get off the corporation hate wagon.
Verner is not lying, albeit the standard operation procedure in the past was to raise city utility taxes… and citizens voting for EMS taxes is not the same as Verner requesting new taxes.
I am very curious what the city unions will do as well as which departments and positions that Verner sees as dispensable, which some definitely are.
liarsinnews on April 09 at 7:09 a.m.
I beg to differ Ninch! When the Washington Utilities Commission allows AVISTA to increase the electric and natural gas rates, the city utility taxes increase. Its not hate, which is a terrible term and has no place in your comment, but is telling the truth. Period. Other increases which I outlined will do the same thing. You may want to do your homework.
liarsinnews on April 09 at 7:19 a.m.
ADDENDUM to Ninch:
You are taken in between the city utility rate, which do not increase usually, but the increase in the city utility taxes that city hall regurgitates in sound bites inferring no tax increases. That is the lie I`m talking about. Would you rather I say, “untruth” when they lie?
west on April 09 at 7:40 a.m.
Like all cities with deficits..union wages, salaries,perks, pensions and retirements are not in line with current economic conditions……there is no money for the current contracts…the private sector is at dirt level in funding them.
lewis8457 on April 09 at 7:53 a.m.
the city just spent 9 million dollars on two buildings one to be torn down and one they have no immediate plans for. If they want to mismanage the money then some city and county employees will have to fall. they can not keep raising property taxes, at some point the people will stop paying them and then what? A property owner can be 3 years in rears on his taxes. So in a protest we all can stop paying for 2 years.
Anybody who thinks our property axes aren’t the main tax income to the city needs to stop renting and buy some property.
With the decrease in value the increase in property tax it is almost cheaper to just rent.
Albert on April 09 at 8:06 a.m.
“Services”? Last week we had our street swept twice…I seriously doubt we needed this, however it is union time and wages isn’t it? Our trash rates just went up didn’t they? The well documented wages of police and fire employees is far beyond those of the average taxpayer. Lewis is right on as is Mr. Adams. Waste, unions, high wages, and useless city “services” are the problem as I, the average taxpayer, see it. Perhaps a straight-across-the-board 20% cut in “services” and a cessation of foolish spending, (Lewis comments) would actually place a surplus in the city coffers? In any event, it’s time to replace the entire city council and mayor with people who understand the “commoners” in the City of SlowCan.
liarsinnews on April 09 at 9:55 a.m.
I like what your saying, Lewis, but the problem is the bandits in government have a penalty/interest rate for delinquent payments that is worse than the pay day loan sharks. Figures. Throw the bums out might be the only solution.
spokanesausage on April 09 at 10:12 a.m.
Verner is probably going to find a new way to spin what ever she’s going to do. Maybe a level lift like Mayor West did or maybe she can find new ways to tax existing revenue like she did on the sewer capital account to help pay for union raises.
Continued across the board cuts shows no leadership either. Good leadership/management is defining priorities and then allocating your resouces, big or small, to achieve those priorities. For a City those are Police, Fire, Roads and Insfrastructure. By taking the across the board route, it appears she’s avoiding taking a leadership position and is avoiding upsetting a union.
Albert, I’ve got a story too. I was downtown a couple of weeks ago and a city truck rolled up and a guy gets out and he literally went parking meter to parking meter dusting them. Yes dusting them.
Smokie on April 09 at 11:35 a.m.
Dick Adams, I can’t believe that you would call Mayor Verner a liar and then take exception to when someone calls you on your lie.
Here is the truth. The EMS Levy is not a “new” tax. We’ve had it since 1980. The rate does not change. It is still 5% of $1000 home value per year, or as much change that slips out of your sansabelt slacks and into your couch every day - less than 15 cents per day on a $100,000 home.
The Spokane Fire Department is already underfunded, The Abaris Study pointed that out. Spokane firefighters go out on more calls with less people than any other department in the state. Spokane’s department operates on about 2/3rds what other departments operate on.
Not voting for the EMS Levy will make you a hero with some of your anti-government, anti-everything buckos. But, if it doesn’t pass, look for your insurance rates to go up a lot more than what the levy costs you. Also, look for businesses to relocate to a place where public safety has some priority. Not to mention the increased cost in lives and property all because you are an illogical ideologue.
In other words, even if you don’t care about you or your neighbor’s life and property, why would you vote No on the EMS levy knowing it will cost you and the city more money than if you voted Yes? Silly, silly person.
Dick Adams, when you are left holding the bag of the mess you created, you will be boo-hoo-hooing the loudest! Just don’t forget to call 9-1-1. If anyone answers you can tell them your sad story.
MrNatural on April 09 at 1:13 p.m.
Mayor Mary will not raise the tax
On Spookaloo’s citizens backs
She smiles sweet and demure
But is all this manure
As marmot towns services lax
liarsinnews on April 09 at 1:57 p.m.
Hey Smokie: Your name might tell every one what you “may” do for a living. I know its not teaching math. You may hide behind the bushes (not using your name) with statements regarding your calling me on a lie. You don`t even know how the EMS tax works and have the audacity to say you are calling me on a lie and the rate doesn`t change. Is that the so called lie?. Did you flunk math in the 4th grade because a 5th grader knows the increase is based on the value of your house. You get it yet? So if your value of your home changes your tax is higher because of the fixed EMS rate. And don`t give me that crap that if that happens I should be happy because now I`m worth more money. I should explain that but I`ve given you more than I think you have the ability to understand now.
Albert on April 09 at 3:35 p.m.
Mr. Adams, it is obvious what “smokie” does, so why get up tight with his contrite “love ya SFD union” ongoing endorsement? It’s not worth the effort to address his obvious slant towards his employer and buddies. Let it go - we all know what the facts are and will vote accordingly. I dropped our 2 “NO” ballots at the library today, so we’ll all watch for the end results. I will not of course reply to any blister from “smokie” which will follow this comment.
Smokie on April 09 at 5:01 p.m.
Hey Dick, If your house has gone up in value recently, you’re one of the few. And by law, unless we vote for a levy lid lift, it doesn’t matter if your house tripled in value, the tax can only go up by one percent per year regardless of what your house is worth. If you pay $100 in taxes on a $100,000 house and your house doubles in value ($200,000) the next year, your taxes can go up t0 $101. That’s one dollar. That’s the law
I am sure you already know that and continue to be dishonest in order to try to scare people. But that’s OK. Most people know this and your comments just seem to get more outlandish and have less credibility with your every post. Keep talking and we’ll get everyone to vote in favor of the EMS levy.
Albert, I am glad you voted one way or another. Don’t worry, the rest of us will take up the slack from deadbeats like you. We will always take care of you, no matter how much you hate us for it. And when I say we, I mean responsible citizens who pay their taxes to make sure we have a decent city.
A couple of sad, angry guys who don’t want to pay their fair share in a city that makes sure their tax dollars go farther than any other city in the state. I am sure glad I didn’t know that I would be fighting for deadbeats like you when I decided to enlist years ago in the military. You are definitely not what our country was founded upon.
My only solace is that you both actually live in Idaho.
misjustice on April 09 at 5:01 p.m.
Again, of all the posts on this thread, Mr. Natural, the Bard of the SR Blogs RULES! I am starting a collection of your poetic expressions! Thanks, Mr. Natural, for your witty ditties! ; )
smarg on April 09 at 5:14 p.m.
The city would be in the BLACK if it unilaterally cut the salaries of the union thugs that extort super high wages and pension benefits from the taxpayers!! Do you know how much police, fire, garbage/sewer employees make?? It’s ungodly!!
GOVERNMENT WORKER REFORM NOW!!! STOP UNION THUGS FROM BANKRUPTING COMMUNITIES!!!
liarsinnews on April 09 at 6:46 p.m.
To who ever, I`m not up tight. I just would like to hear the truth rather than the persons who don`t know what their talking about. To Smokie, you don`t know what the heck your talking about regarding the 1% cap. That only apply`s to the gross total revenue the city of Spokane uses to calculate the 1% on the gross. A individuals real estate tax can go up, I`ll use an arbitrary number, 20%. Actually there is no cap and for the most part and the sky is the limit. Call Ralph Baker, the guy who panders to the Cowleses, and has lowered most of their properties. Or better yet call Gavin Cooley the city`s CFO. They both will tell you I`m correct. Your so ignorant about the rules and laws, you take the cake. If gambling was legal, I`d bet as much as you would like. And of course you`d lose the bet. You might want to do some homework before you put your foot in your mouth again.
liarsinnews on April 09 at 7:03 p.m.
Albert: We are both on the same wave length. For what it is worth I answered the ninny only because he is so ignorant and if anybody takes the time to find out the truth for themselves re what I`ve opined, it is the whole truth and nothing but. I`ll be dropping off 2 ballots tomorrow myself. I`ll sleep well tonight.
Dazzeetrader11 on April 11 at 8:24 p.m.
Mayor Verner says she won’t raise utility taxes. She doesn’t tell you that she already has…she just won’t raise them again ( for now). If the City is in such financial trouble…Lewis is onto something, why is she spending upwards of $5 million on a building for the police. They’re already housed and taken care of nicely. No new services planned.
So why spend more? Not sure she knows why….but she’s hiding it. Lewis knows I bet. At least stop the bleeding before she cuts the public again. Somebody should ask her why she’s spending money on the one hand when she claims the CIty is suffering on the other.