The taxpayers are burning

Click title for link to opinion piece from the PB Post.  Lake Worth is getting a pat on the back for holding firm on the tax rate, even at the expense of public safety.  However, the large female with the horns hasn't sung yet.  The City Commission set the millage rate at the limit of 10 mills, including the MSTU for county fire services - the thinking being, you can always lower it, but you can't raise the rate after the initial one is set.

I have yet to be convinced that the city is in a realistic bargaining position to win over the three unions to cut pension benefits, convince PBSO to accept an amount less than their original 2008 contract - three fiscal years later and/or get concessions from the county fire deal.  And I hope that it is not likely that the city will implement pay parking in the downtown - for reasons already laid out here.  The risk is not worth the reward.  I also don't see this Commission approving red light cameras.  Both measures are the only new revenue generating ideas in this proposed budget.

As soon as someone shows me that these groups agree to reductions, then maintaining the 4.999 millage rate is realistic.  Beyond that, what sort of time frame and money are we talking to mediate the issue with the unions?  No one has talked about that yet.  Until there is something concrete, it is not realistic to think we will not raise the millage.

What this preliminary budget document represents is the beginning of a negotiating position - nothing more.  That is the reason that it is such a bleak assessment - an accurate one - but the first time it is being admitted to by the administration or those on the dais.  This is noteworthy and an opportunity, if someone wants to take it.