Palm Beach County apparently believes that it's easier to increase taxes than cut budgets. They are not alone. This is prevalent among governments.
They have become spoiled. During the real estate boom of recent years, the tax base increased handsomely. Building permit fees and other related revenues were flowing like water.
Infrastructure was being expanded. The Palm Beach County School Board even convinced voters to add ½ percent to the 6% sales tax - the first time it had ever been done.
It worked once, so why not again. The County Commissioners are considering an additional 1% increase to the sales tax for fire-rescue services. This is supposed to be offset by a concomitant decease in the ad valorem rate. I'm not buying it. They'll get the increase and then somehow forget about the decrease.
If fire-rescue needs money that bad - and I'm not sure that's the case - find the money by cutting other programs, salaries, or staff.
No new taxes! Cutting some of the existing ones wouldn't hurt either.
If you live in Palm Beach County. attend the County Commission meeting this Tuesday, beginning at 9:30 am.
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