Editor, Commonwealth:
On Oct. 1, the 2018 fiscal year budget began for the city of Greenwood. In addition to the beginning of the fiscal year, there will be an increase in the property tax rate by 4.1 percent. By doing so, the budget increased from $11.7 million to $12.2 million, roughly a $500,000 increase from the previous year, the same amount the city had to take from the $2.7 million reserve fund to balance the 2017 budget. A large portion of the $500,000 went to the firefighters’ and policemen’s salary raise.
The unbalancing of the budget happened over a six-month stretch, with both departments vastly undermanned. So I ask the question, What will happen to the budget over a 12-month span? What will happen to the budget if both departments are fully staffed? Will the $500,000 increase cover the additional expenditures that will occur? Will we have to continue to dip into our reserve funding to balance our budget year after year? Are we interested in providing adequate departments for the protection of our community? These are some of the questions that need answers.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not against anyone getting a raise or tax increases. However, taxes and grants cannot be the “be all to end all” solutions to combat foreseen or unforeseen expenditures. The city is a multimillion-dollar business, and for any business to thrive, revenue must exceed expenses. Based on our previous solution to unbalanced budgets, the city’s reserve funds will be depleted in the very near future.
Greenwood has multiple outlets that can strengthen the budget and reserve funding as a well as adequate raises, but yet they are left untapped. One of the most prime examples was discussed at the latest Greenwood Voters League meeting: the unkempt real estate throughout the city of which owners are not being held accountable for the upkeep. We’re losing thousands of dollars for not holding these owners responsible. Topping it off, tax dollars are used on the property when it becomes a health hazard.
Whenever the problem is brought up for discussion, we’re often given the excuse, “Owners live out of town, and they’re hard to track down.” Are we putting our best foot forward to track down these owners? We do know there are companies whose sole purpose is to contact people who become delinquent on agreements. If you don’t believe me, miss a couple car notes or mortgage payments.
At the Voters League meeting, a city official stated the city spent $100,000 (another expense that doesn’t generate profit) on two demolition bids. Demolition of vacant homes creates vacant lots. Vacant lots grow into unkempt lots. Unkempt lots become home for rodents and trash, which are a health hazard that the city is obligated to address.
Instead of demolition, the property could be renovated by Delta Design Build Workshop or the Greenwood Housing Authority to provide a member of the community the opportunity to become a homeowner.
It’s time-out for temporary fixes and excuses. We have pressing issues that are continuing to become larger daily. Time is of the essence.
Kenderick Cox
Greenwood
