Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/112475
Sarasota News Leader March 1, 2013 Page 19 Would you consider a bond issue to cov- it is going to cost us even more, and, by er the shortfall (as Fort Lauderdale did the way, we have a pension deficit that last November)? has to be dealt with. Vote for me. I will raise your taxes.��� Nobody is offering Chapman: I would look at anything to try and that choice. solve the problem. But a bond has to be paid, too. That may not be an adequate solution. Holland: Nobody wants to say directly: ���That���s what I���ll do.��� And I don���t want to say Private industry is realizing that fixed-benefit that because I���m a candidate and there are [retirement plans] cannot work, and public people out there who are going to say, ���She���s pensions have not caught up. I���m sorry about that, because I do think public employees are going to raise my taxes, so I���m not going to deserving, but it���s a matter that there is no po- vote for her.��� But I think if you take raising the litical will to continue unaffordable pensions taxes off the table, you���re not being realistic. at the cost of all city services. I���m a taxpayer. I don���t want my taxes raised. Have you ever attended any of the three But do I want a safer city? Absolutely. And do I want city services? Absolutely. They don���t pension board meetings? have to be frivolous or excessive, but I want a Chapman: No, but I���ve watched them. safe place to live and good municipal services. I think every possibility has to be put on the ��� ��� ��� table. You���re aware of the overall dynamic of the pension shortfall. Is a tax increase As property values declined for tax purthe answer to this problem? If not, would poses, the dollars out of your pocket you support a bond issue to cover the have gone. That is what has caused the shortfall as Fort Lauderdale did last No- budget crisis at City Hall. vember? Holland: Exactly. It���s an education because Holland: So we���re saddling the next generation, kicking the can down the road? Answer: ���Yes.��� I had not heard of Fort Lauderdale���s bond issue. Raising taxes is not a popular choice. If those were the two choices, I guess you���d let the electorate decide ... if they want their taxes raised or if they want the bond. so many people either don���t understand that or just ignore it and don���t want to understand it because raising taxes is a difficult thing for anybody to say or do. But it has to be a consideration. There is just no question. ��� ��� ��� Do you support Paul Caragiulo���s efforts What if you had a City Commission can- to reevaluate the noise ordinance? didate saying, ���We have to raise taxes, folks���? ���The city doesn���t have the re- Atwell: Oh yes. I said that at [the] Tiger Bay serves anymore. If we���re going to bal- [Club���s recent meeting]. I want to take a look ance our budget, we have to raise taxes, at it. He���s had two meetings. We need to reand if we want to improve our services, frame this, frame it into something palatable