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Bonita plans to reduce spending by 41 percent next year
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Bonita Springs city government will reduce its spending by as much as 41 percent next year as falling revenues has forced the government to cut back.
This proposed figure comes from the city manager's budget, which is the working document the City Council uses when making the final decisions regarding city revenue collection and expenditures.
In the proposed budget, the city is considering raising its tax rate by 15 percent. The total amount of taxes collected would still decrease because of falling taxable property values, but it would be the first tax rate increase in Bonita Springs city history. It comes after the city decrease its tax rate the past two years.
The biggest cuts in the proposed city budget come from capital projects like road construction. The amount spent will fall from $17.2 million to $3.5 million. The general fund, which pays for the bulk of city services, in the proposed budget increases by 2 percent over last year.
The City Council will meet starting Tuesday to discuss changes they want to make in the proposed budget. They will also discuss what the new tax rate will be. The changes will go into effect Oct. 1.
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Now, that's a great start for their community. Naples, you paying attention? If our elected officials aren't in line with what Bonita Springs has allready figured out.
VOTE OUT ALL ENCUMBENTS!!!
We need poloticians for the people, the normal everyday type of people that do the physical work. Not the for the Ivory Tower type of people.
#1 Posted by RainMan on July 16, 2008 at 7:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Rainman: You've got to work on your spelling if you expect to be taken seriously.
I'm getting concerned with Bonita's decision to outsource community development.
From what I've seen so far it's a clown show.
I'm about to pack my toys and leave.
Like Antaramian.
There's going to be a LOT of vacant commercial lots for a long time if they don't get their act together...at least until the next election.
#2 Posted by Naplestango on July 16, 2008 at 7:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Tango:
I share your concern.
On the one hand, bringing in a private engineering firm could possibly speed up the process and give the City a better control on what's going on within its boundaries.
If that's the case then I'm all for it!
On the other hand, by going with a for-profit firm; could we be submitting the entrepeneurs and builders who are trying to get things going to endless unnecessary review upon review to pump up fees?
That was my experience today.
#3 Posted by alancodi on July 16, 2008 at 8:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Will reporter be reminding readers of increase in Bonita general fund spending since 2000?
Also fun, tell us about property tax collections since you know when.
#4 Posted by BonitaSprings1 on July 16, 2008 at 9:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Tango when you pack up, please don't forget to take your Buddy BS1 Pure with you.
#5 Posted by JohhnyB on July 16, 2008 at 11:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I just love the high maintenance medians you have down here. They are so pretty.
#6 Posted by volochine on July 17, 2008 at 1:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You go JohhnyB, that's right. I'm so sick of Bonita Springs 1 (AKA Ron Pure) I could vomit. This guy is a disease to our community and his thoughts and ideas let alone delusions of grandeur are frightning.
#7 Posted by registerednurse on July 17, 2008 at 5:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Increased general fund spending since 2000? Increased property tax revenue? How can you not?? It goes hand in hand with increased population, increased services, and improved services. The population alone went from 32,700 in 2000 to over 45,000 in 2007 - an almost 40% increase. Not to mention increased costs of fuel, maintenance costs, insurance, etc. It's extremely unrealistic to think that taxes and spending are going to remain stagnant - nothing else does. Do you pay the same amount of money for the same amount of groceries today as you did in 2000? If so, tell me where I can join!
#8 Posted by bonita100 on July 17, 2008 at 8:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Bonita100,
You'll find Bonita spending growth and tax collections running with the oil industry.
Does that make you a happy, dutiful dispatcher of disssinformation?
#9 Posted by BonitaSprings1 on July 17, 2008 at 9:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yeah yeah Ron, tell about that mighty sum you pay each year in taxes to Bonita Springs!! Is it even a $100 per year? We taxpayers have a real bargain in the little tax we pay our city. Please pack it in and take all your TAG members (are there any) with you. Your libertarian ideology is so wrong for Bonita Springs. Just so you know I have received dimes from a whole lot of citizens who will pay your tax to the city if you would just shut up.
Estero is so jealous that we are keeping our taxes in the community where we can improve our quality of life while they give theirs to Lee County with only a small return of services.
#10 Posted by JohhnyB on July 17, 2008 at 12:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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