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Anthony Esposito, 624 Southeast 23rd Street, Vero Shores, <br />estimated that his taxes have increased 150 percent since he moved <br />here. He was not sure where the Board should make cuts; the <br />Commissioners were elected to make those decisions. He thought the <br />Commissioners did a good job until a few years ago. He stated that <br />everyone has cut back in their households and it is common sense <br />that you cannot spend money you do not have. <br />Mary Masters, 9845 61st Terrace, Breezy Village, Sebastian, <br />stated that the assessed value on her 20 -year old mobile home with <br />no improvements went up $8,180 over last year's assessed value. If <br />she tried to sell it, the buyer would have to have cash because she <br />did not think they could get a loan on an older house like hers. <br />She thought the newest assessment is too high. <br />Robert Haas, 2254 5th Court, S.E., explained that his $240 tax <br />increase on his house is a 10 percent increase. He had to lower <br />the rent on his rental property, property taxes and hurricane <br />insurance have increased, and he stated that he is going down the <br />tube little by little. <br />Donna Cathcart, 1025 54th Avenue, was not prepared to speak <br />but felt that the Commissioners should know that she reduced use of <br />her air conditioning and pool so that she can afford electricity, <br />and it is time for government to cut someplace. She lives in a <br />subdivision that does not have full services, but every year her <br />taxes have increased, and now her taxes are more than double. She <br />believed that the Sheriff needs to tighten his budget just as <br />everybody must. She criticized officials who are elected to office <br />based on their promises and within months their promises are <br />forgotten. She predicted that their names will be forgotten four <br />years from now. <br />Bob Grice, 710 Canoe Trail, stated that County government and <br />the City of Vero Beach are running counter to the economy. <br />Citizens are having a tough time. They are asking for services and <br />lower taxes, and they trust elected officials to make the right <br />decisions. <br />Lawrence Freeb, Compass Cove, stated that the 20 and 30 <br />percent tax increases are destroying public trust in government. <br />That should scare everyone because without that trust, government <br />will fail. He was sure the Commissioners were aware that many <br />people are being put out of business in their personal budgets and <br />in maintaining a home. He hoped it would not take a constitutional <br />amendment to get the point across to government officials. There <br />is a crisis in the national budget and in national health care, and <br />local government should be aware that we have a local crisis. He <br />urged the Board to be fair and make budgets cuts across the board. <br />13 <br />BOOK 00 FAG F 4S <br />SEP 81993 <br />