HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-17-24 Public Comment - B. Smith - Objection to proposed two-year budgetFrom:Bruce Smith
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Objection to proposed two-year budget
Date:Monday, June 17, 2024 4:36:07 PM
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As a retiree living in Bozeman I want to state my strident opposition to
continuing the unending increase in our taxes that the proposed budget
represents. I am paying a large increase in taxes thanks to the state, increased
school taxes and an unending series of mil levies that, somehow, is not
reflected in my income. This new budget, unexamined by the public or the
commission, requests an unjustified increase in taxes far beyond the inflation
that also plagues those of us on a limited budget. My objections include the
following points.
1. Like so much of city government, having a vote on this on short notice
keeps people out of the process. I see no reason that a two-year budget
needs to be proposed and passed within such a quick time frame.
2. There needs to be justification for increases that are far beyond the
inflation rate. This appears to be a wish list prepared by each city staff
member.
3. We are being asked to pay for roads and other infrastructure that whose
cost should be covered by impact fees and the increase in taxpayer base.
Instead, the commission is loading development costs onto existing
taxpayers.
4. This budget is prepared by a staff that has been with questionable
leadership for months.
5. This budget seems unreasonably committed to supporting developers at
the expense of existing homeowners as we march toward becoming an
exclusive enclave for the wealthy.
Bruce Smith
1116 Cherry Drive