Taxes For 2014 - Up 3% (Maybe)

8/31/13

As predicted here, Shorewood's Council approved a 3% preliminary tax increase on 8/26. Readers can view the discussion at: http://lmcc.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=717594f9-622e-1031-bc96-29b50f2ba9d1 Look at the work session for detail and the actual vote during the regular meeting at agenda item 10C.

Half of the increase is for general expenses and the plan is to use excess reserves to cover the rest of the spending increases. The other half of the 3% seems destined to be used to increase the subsidy for the South Shore Center to something like $140,000 from the $60,000 expected in 2013.

According to the work session, the increase in subsidy would be to hire a full-time person to manage the Center. This meets the wish of the seniors as shown in the SSSP "Vision." The Insider questions how this can be justified. There is still no plan that shows a full-time manager is needed or warranted.

The Commission of the five Center owner cities did meet on the 27th. Seems that a fourth meeting will happen, but that Tonka Bay and Greenwood are both saying they will not participate in funding any operations. Also, it looks like Greenwood is leaning the same direction. It appears that Shorewood may be in it alone going forward.

Of course, things can change and the tax increase could be reduced before the end of the year or a decision made to spend some or all of the money earmarked for the Center on things like parks where funding is critically short. What would you, the readers do?

Happy Reading!
The Insider