SUBJECT:  Bond Issues / Operating Budget/ City Taxes Reference:  District 11 Town Hall Meeting / 1-09-2003

Madam Mayor & City Council:

  A poll was taken at the referenced Town Hall Meeting.  Attendees were asked if they would be open to a Property Tax increase to cover Bond Item issues-Operating Budget.  Much to MY SURPRISE, the poll returned a 2/3 vote in favor of a tax increase to cover bond items (if necessary).

  LATER, it was brought to the attendees attention that as property values increase, so do property taxes, assuming the tax rate does not decrease.  A percentage property valuation increase (with no rate increase) means taxes WILL increase.  It was obvious from attendee reaction that some HAD NO IDEA that their taxes would go up if property valuations increased.  It then became quite obvious that the citizens were being misled when told that a minimal bond package would bring about NO TAX INCREASE.  The City officials have got to learn that some residents of the community have DIFFICULTY with ARITHMETIC.

This statement is not to fault the Citizens, but to fault the City Management for misleading those who require a CLEAR explanation of how the bottom line taxes come about.  This confusion is compounded by the fact that school and other taxing districts are more than likely to be increasing their taxes simultaneously with the City of Dallas.

  Mary Poss, running for Mayor in the next Election, is supporting a No Dallas Property Tax Increase platform.  That would indicate that if valuations increase, then the Dallas City Tax Rate MUST BE REDUCED. I assume that Ms. Poss knows that.

  The Citizens of Dallas are getting VERY mixed signals from government officials who should be up front and honest with them. Sound city departmental internal audits will surely find waste, inefficiency, corruption, and other sources of lost revenue that could well reduce the need for additional resident taxation.  Problems found in such an audit should be blamed upon the City Manger and his inability to manage effectively.

  I'm for getting the departmental audits into a "Full Speed Ahead Mode" right now. Additionally, all City officials speaking publicly about taxation need to STOP MISREPRESENTATION of the facts immediately.  Then, when polls are taken as to who wants a tax increase, the results may be different.

  A country that has a poor economy should NOT be raising taxes on its citizens at this time.  If anything, tax CUTS are in order.  Prospective new residents and businesses considering Dallas as a home do not want to see a consistent history of increased property taxes each year.

Rad Field
District 11