Oct 22, 2012 2 min read

Fall is here, and so governing bodies are doing their work, planning their annual budget for 2013. While some look at planning as a one-year item, the bravest look at it for years beyond. When was the last time your local government sent you a copy of current and future plans with supporting finances? Does your community have a newsletter to keep you better informed than reading a headline in the Observer-Reporter about a budget deficit? On Oct. 11, we read about our county looking at a financial problem and assuring us there may not be any tax increase for next year. As we take a sigh of relief, a few questions or comments come to mind. With all the growth in this county, how can we read such news? Just a week or two ago, we read where a developer will be getting an extension on his TIF or tax forgiveness contract. We know TIF is and has been used in the county for the last 25 years. As we see developments, that does not mean our tax collections are growing for the county and many local municipalities or school districts. So TIF is a serious loss, but needed if you want growth. We read about all the money from The Meadows Racetrack & Casino coming to our area. We read about the profits of drilling and their priority uses. We like to hear that money is coming but are confused as to where it is going. I believe it is time for all taxpayers to demand a newsletter from all their taxing authorities. It would make us understand what our elected officials are planning and spending. Joann Diesel Washington