ashe

Occasionally taxes just have to go up just to compensate for the cost of money. That's just basic economics. Truth is, it would be best to have very tiny increases every year. If you want services to increase, then you need a bigger tax increase.

The economic impact of the hospital speaks for itself. Airport is ludicrous, it doesn't generate anything. Maybe the airport could be beneficial if several of the surrounding counties created a regional airport.

The budget doesn't change much. Go look at the previous budgets. You can get a really good idea what the budget will look like this year.

Why not have the local papers post the proposed budget? This is supposedly public info now that it has been shown to the Commissioners. That way the public could see where there money is going and could question whatever they think is excessive. Personally it seems a bit unfortunate that taxes are going up and services are not being increased. The county manager seems to think it is necessary to increase income to maintain present levels. that is poor planning by anyone's definition. Has anyone ever heard the economic justification for the airport, the hospital, etc.

Basking, dead on. We may disagree about teachers, but that was well said.

So no one is willing to give up anything, you all want others to give up stuff. Well, let me explain a couple things. The money for housing prisoners was nothing. It's not the problem. The problem is the previous mouth breathers ran a deficit their entire terms. They bled the reserve balance. That needs to be put back. Also, county employees haven't been getting the raises they should have (although I did disagree with the small raises the mouth breathers gave them while robbing the reserve balance). Taxes haven't been raised in at least 8 years. Sorry folks, but eventually they have to go up just to keep up with inflation. Find kept warning everyone of that. Stop being ignorant hicks, It's time to pay up. Even with an increase we will still have some of the lowest property taxes in the nation. I was recently talking to a friend that lives in NJ, and on his $250k home he pays almost $7k a year in property taxes. I decided it's time to stop *****ing.

Basking, maybe you don't realize it but it makes no difference what I would give up. The management of the county has to make the decisions. They won't because it is much easier to raise taxes. A smart team would reduce spending, just as the federal government should do and we will all pay for their stupidity in the future.

In simple terms if I over spend then I should be able to go to my employer and get paid more for my overspending. Stupid but that is what your local and national government is doing.

One thing in the budget will more then cover a tax increase. Truth hit on it and it has long been on my hit list. Lease or sell that dam landing strip. When you need more go to the parks budget and lease or sell those. And third do something with those empty factory buildings if you have to give them away.

I agree with JR. Where to cut. The airport serves some but how many regular people even know anyone who uses it. How much new industry has come here because of it. A while back the commissioners were picking on Donna Weaver. I bet we all know someone who uses social services but can't name anybody who uses that airport. Maybe the airport can be used to bring the rich peoples elderly parents here so social services can put them up in a nursing home on medicaid.

I knew they'd raise property taxes, and that the pitch to get the higher sales tax to prevent a property tax was bogus.

The problem is that in the past County Commissioners and County Managers have relied on what for most was a short term solution, the extra income from housing inmates from other jurisdictions. It is only natural that places paying us to hold their prisoners would expand their on facilities, and as seen in the outlaying budget the drop is pretty significant. You're talking a 1.1 million drop in revenue in 2 years.

The County Manager is proposing a .445 increase in property tax to help plug that hole.

What do we cut is a good question. There would be no real easy choices.

One thing that sticks out at me in the budget is the capitol outlays for the Airport of 500,001. I've never agreed with our expansion of the airport, it is not an essential service. In a time when revenue is falling we have to make cuts, and that would be where I would cut to start with.

I'm not certain of the age of the Sheriff's vehicles they wish to replace but if we could delay purchase of new vehicles that would save another 55,902 on the proposed budget.

Tax Administration and Register of Deeds seem overstaffed, laying off 1 person from each of these assuming the lowest paid employee is laid off would save an additional 63,000.

At a time of declining revenue I would also forgo the proposed 1.5% pay raise for county employees. It is not clear how much this would save. You would need to know the number of employees and multiply that by 600 the proposed raise. Let's assume 60,000 more saved just for the sake of argument.

That's only 678,000 in savings. Cuts beyond this are going to hurt and will be extremely hard choices. Yet this 500,000 short of the savings needed due to declining revenue from the jails. It's true in 2 years we'll have the school paid, that'll free up a little cash but in truth I don't foresee them avoiding a tax increase. The needs are great in this county. We desperately need more jobs, and I'm not talking service jobs. Without more jobs the county will continue to struggle.

I have listed one place that could save some money when it come to the dumpster sites.

What are you willing to give up? Cutting spending means sacrifice. Either tell us what you are willing to give up, or shut up and pay your part

If I were responsible for the budget and to the taxpayers I would certainly find places to cut. Businesses who must answer to shareholders and have good management teams do it all the time.

You want to cut spending, what are you willing to give up?

It cost to play fool...

Say no to a Ashe county tax increase and yes to reduced spending,,,,,, it can be done