Corrections to the Tax Increase Chairman’s Video

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By Steve Huffman, Citizen of Tipp City

I would like to make some corrections that Mike said in this video. This video is nearly 21 minutes long so you know before you start. He initially states that this is a 0.25% for Capital Improvement Fund. This is a false statement it is 0.50% for the Capital Improvement Fund, which is 250% increase over previous budgeted amounts. Also a correct statement would be this would be a 0.25% tax increase. He does correct himself at the end of the video.

The City Council tried to increase revenue without the voters approval. This was proposed by the tax and spend council member George Lovett. Council made the decision not to do this. Mike does not remind everyone that this was voted on two previous times and it was defeated.

Mike is correct that no new roads would be made. It does provide $100,000 to by land to expand Kinna Drive in the future. If the city does not plan to build a new road why are they so much spending money for land? But he states that ‘It would not pay for one stitch of new equipment.’ In the ten year plan this tax increase would be provide money for new EMS equipment that they do not currently have. It would provide $200,000 for land just to throw our leaves and $200,00 for a brand new cold storage/garage we currently do not have to now. This is over half a million dollars of new stuff but he states not one stitch of new .

This tax increase would provide nearly $2 million for the parks and $1.2 million for administrative needs but less than a million dollars for EMS.

The Citizens for a Strong Tipp City wants everyone to think that if this tax increase fails we will no longer have EMS or fire department, or as Mike says their equipment might fail. This will not happen because the money is already there. Instead of paving roads and buying a new fire truck the city council chose to spend $1.8 million dollars on new electric and water meters. The city currently budgets well over a half of a million dollars to the capital improvement fund. This can always be increased but city council has chosen not to do it. They do not want to look at operating cost they just want more money. The City of Tipp City currently has over $3 million in a reserve fund, they could right a check for that fire truck right now but would rather force on the 40% of the tax payers that it would effect.

I do appreciate Mike thanking me for the time I spent with him on this CIP committee. We do not agree on this tax increase campaign, which is financed by big business and not by the citizens of Tipp City. We do agree Tipp City is a great place to live and I believe will be for years to come because the roads will get paved and the fire truck will still get bought even if this tax increase fails.