05/18/06		Meat and Potatoes for Dallas.  (Response to DMN Editorial)
David Tuthill

I have been studying The Dallas Morning News editorial "Meat and Potatoes for Dallas -2006 Billion Dollar Bond Proposal" to find out if they took into account some basic concerns.  I have not been able to figure out DMN's math.

DMN says the increase will be about 21.00 per year for a house valued at $144,266.00 and that in the sixth year it will increase to $988.00.   Is this like a balloon payment (that is in vogue with homebuyers hoping to get into that really big house they really can't afford)?  Every thing is manageable until the sixth year when the city socks it to you?

I guess this covers just the increase for this bond proposal.  What about future bond proposals?  (Like this one will be the last one.)  Does this include the greater than 10% valuation the appraisal district will hit the homeowner with?  Or, does it assume the value of the home will remain at $144,266.00 for the duration of this example (a tactic used by the city in explaining the cost at a recent town meeting regarding the bond proposal).  Of course, this is icing on your present tax bill as DMN's figures do not include present tax rates.

It seems the city is vying for first place on the amount of tax on your property tax bill with the school district, and doing just about as good a job.  Keep in mind there will be additional bond proposals once this one is shoved on the homeowner. 

Again, I do not see anything that gives me confidence the city is spending money wisely.

Don't forget the tax abatements the council constantly gives to developers who won't pay their way.

Dallas City Hall (council and management) constantly amazes me.  Almost as amazing as the Dallas Independent School District and it's past shenanigans.

I noted the debate about the Timbercreek  Apartment complex, a complex that has been kept in good condition with low crime compared to many apartments in the city condemned in favor of a new development by Trammell Crow Company.  Now, it comes to light the Crow people will want a tax subsidy on top of that from the city and taxpayers.  Well, why not?  The city gives out tax abatements like candy to children.  Are you a developer? How about an abatement?

This is on top of the failure of the city to collect $40 million in traffic fines and another hunk of change for library fines, too.  

What about those funds for Love Field landings?  

What ever happened to all those lawsuits (ex-Police Chief Bolton and the Police fake drug stings)?  Have they been paid? 

We have a Billion dollar bond proposal chocked full of such needed items as funding for the "Hanging gardens of Woodall Rodgers" and other "necessary" items.  It will just add a few dollars to your tax bill, but they fail to inform the public their estimates have not factored in the effect of rocketing property appraisals that exceed the mandated 10% cap per year. 

No wonder the city (like other municipalities) bemoans the 5% yearly appraisal cap referendum that was passed in the Republican primary this spring, an election victory buried so deep I had to call my state representative to find out the outcome. 

We should not be forced to live within our means like other people!  We need more money from the taxpayers.  After all, we've got big dreams, as big as the silhouette of Leo Chaney that is to grace Opportunity Park.

The city is jonesing for more of your money, and those poor developers should not be forced to fund their own projects by  themselves.  They need you to help foot the bill. 

David W. Tuthill