Budget Committee Chairman Jeff Caron’s letter in the current Sakonnet Times is not available on the paper’s Web site, so here it is:
To the editor:
I write this letter not as the chairman of the Tiverton Budget Committee but rather as a concerned taxpayer. At the April 12 meeting of the Town Council, Councilor Durfee moved and the council subsequently voted to request a determination from state officials of the maximum amount by which the electors at the May 8 Financial Town Meeting (FTM) may vote to exceed the 4.5% state tax cap.
The Fiscal Year 2010-2011 (FY11) combined school and municipal requested budgets represent a 9.19% tax increase. The Budget Committee proposes a 4.39% tax increase. There has been a lot of buzz that the FY11 Budget Committee recommendation will “decimate” the town, when in fact the FY11 Budget Committee recommendation represents a 1.75% increase to the total budget compared to the amount appropriated at the FY10 FTM. The Budget Committee recommendation to the FTM voters increases total spending 1.75%, maintains town services, and is under the 4.5% state tax cap.
While many taxpayers feel that there should be no tax increase on July 1, those who support the requested budgets endorse a 9% tax increase. I submit that the Budget Committee’s recommended 4.39% increase represents a compromise which is under the state cap. The Town Council’s request to exceed the tax cap is unjustified.
Town Solicitor Teitz has also publicly stated his opinion that the voters at the FTM can vote to levy a tax of whatever amount they choose, even in excess of the 4.5% state tax cap. In short, ‘There is no tax cap in Tiverton.’ Please remember the 2008 FTM debacle which resulted in a 9% tax increase!
Let’s defeat the requested 9% tax increase. Please attend the Financial Town Meeting at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 8, and vote to stay under the 4.5% tax cap and to support the taxpayer resolutions.
Jeff Caron
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