By David Cassetti
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| Valley Independent Sentinel photo |
ANSONIA - We need accountability from City Hall. Unfortunately, the Mayor’s recent article blaming revaluation for Ansonia’s high tax debacle is anything but accountable.
Ansonia now carries the ninth highest tax rate in Connecticut. Revaluation does not explain that away.
Every city and town in the state goes through revaluation. Yet not every city and town finds themselves with the ninth highest tax rate— in this case, ninth highest out of 169 other cities and towns.
Revaluation is not an excuse for high taxes in any situation. Lower property assessments do not cause higher taxes. The total city budget determines the money to be raised from property taxes.
Ansonia saw a 7 percent increase in net taxes to be collected in 2013. Net taxes increased by 6 percent last year. These increases have nothing whatsoever to do with revaluation.
Revaluation is also not an excuse for lack of preparation. Revaluation is a process required by state law. It is not performed by surprise. The Della Volpe administration has had since 2007 to plan for the next revaluation. It could have planned for a phased in revaluation. It did not. In fact, net taxes increased by 10.3 percent in 2008!
The current administration dropped the ball with respect to bringing tax-paying businesses into town. It dropped the ball on implementing real cost-saving solutions in time to avoid the mess we now face.
After 14 years, residents deserve more than excuses from City Hall.
On Oct. 9, 2013 my team will unveil a “Game Plan” for Ansonia. My plan contains no excuses. Rather, it addresses Ansonia’s challenges with clear solutions.
These solutions include:
• Implementation of a Cost Cutting Commission to work year-round on identifying cost savings for the city.
• Creation of a professional City Manager position to replace layers of expensive and wasteful bureaucracy in city hall.
• Providing long overdue tax relief for senior citizens, reimbursable by state funds.
• Formation of a task force to plan for the future of Ansonia’s former industrial sites.
• Elimination of the unelected Board of Apportionment and Taxation via charter revision.
I am also in full support of the “Responsible Referendum” proposal brought forth by Republican Aldermen such as Charlie Stowe. That proposal, if passed, will allow residents to vote on net tax increases of 3 percent or more, thereby keeping City Hall accountable regardless of who holds office.
The time for excuses is over. Ansonia deserves a fresh start.
This is a guest column.
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