12/22/1987 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

BOOK 70F'UE98 elite on the government payroll to get a cost of living raise every year and the poor man on Social Security is getting nothing, or if they do, it is taken out by Medicare. Mrs. Strickland was proud of asking for the $300,000 to provide low income housing. Chairman Scurlock noted that his point was that $300,000 also is taxes. Commissioner Wheeler pointed out that the Board sat here and listened to all the various requests at Budget sessions and -tried to be objective about what we pay taxes for. He noted that he doesn't like paying taxes either, but we have a certain responsibility to see that services are provided and maintained. We have to have a place to put garbage, but nobody wants to pay for it. Nancy Offutt came before the Board representing the Chamber of Commerce and Board of Realtors and advised that neither takes a position on the issue being discussed; however, she felt the comments made by the public really deserve note, and would suggest that they speak to the need for a diversification of our tax base through economic development and other innovative means of providing relief to the residential tax payer. There must be a realistic balance of how the taxes are borne, and Mrs. Offut pointed out that not all can afford to maintain the exclusiveness and ambiance of the Indian River community. Fred Mensing, Roseland, understood there is a law which allows senior citizens, if they can show their taxes are taxing them out of their homes, to pay 50 of their income and not be put out of their home. If that is correct, he wished to know if the special assessments fall into that Bill. Attorney Vitunac pointed out that special assessment is not a tax, and there are no provisions for putting that off. Mr. Mensing then spoke in favor of getting the Tax Collector to enclose with his bills stickers per residence giving them access to the transfer station and dump. He also felt the fine 48