Advocacy for the various interests that re-elect them biennially has resulted in Bethel officials supporting a nearly 5 percent spending increase in municipal base spending for the coming year! An unrealistic, excessive percentage to most taxpayers.
While grand list revenue will blunt the proposed tax increase to around 2.4 percent for one year, the millions in increased spending will be with taxpayers forever!
Whether it be the Educational Enhancement Act of the '80s, the Community Policing grant of the '90s, the "shovel ready" Obama stimulus or robust grand list growth, these revenues are temporary while the increase to municipal base spending is forever. These revenues always raise taxes for property owners forever.
Sadly, federal and state grants to "help" municipalities ultimately land on the backs of homeowners and business and motorists.
Local tax hikes caused by this massive spending hike will only be compounded by inevitable tolls, taxes and fees coming from Gov. Lamont.
Bethel, with one of the highest equalized tax rates in the area, is poised to vote on the highest municipal base spending hike we've seen in years.
Vote "No-Too High" Thursday April 11th.