As the city tries to close a looming budget gap, it has two major options: cut spending or increase revenues.
Since city leaders are reluctant to raise property taxes when so many people are struggling, they are likely to take a long look at other ways of increasing the money the city takes in.
City Comptroller Glenn Klocko said the city will have to consider increases in the fees it charges for services it provides and perhaps begin charging some new fees as well.
That could mean higher costs for recreation programs, bigger charges for building permits and much more, officials said.
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Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
8 comments:
Shuda started sooner Art!
Emphasis should be on cutting expenses first. Why raise fees on unemployed taxpayers unless absolutely necessary?
12:57
I agree, 5% for two years is more palatable than 10% for one year.
Ward, a day late and a dollar short!
Didn't he see it coming?
Building permits and other fees associated with expanding the tax base should not be increased. We should be encouraging more people to do new development and improvements to existing structures in Bristol rather than discouraging it.
Same song, different tune
Any City service should be built into the property tax. That includes the dump,garbage pick-up, yard waste, ect...The city should not be in the business to make money - that is not what government is about.
By all means raise the fees on all the things you can, it's not like everyone can afford to rebuild, add on, ect ect that need the permits. The people who can afford to do all this cause they have money can afford it.
Nice that Deputy Mayor Ward has Mayor Kloko setting policy.
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