Sept. 18, 2007 Trustee Meeting - Tax Cut Proposed

A month ago, I initiated a process of placing Sylvania Township on a five-year funding horizon, where every five years the voters of Sylvania Township will have the opportunity to vote on the level of spending and the level of services desired. The first step of this process was to place on the November ballot a 0.5 mill, 5 year levy for fire department operations. This levy will provide sufficient funding to operate the fire department for five years.

The second step of implementing a 5-year funding horizon for township services will begin as we start discussing our annual resolution to authorize necessary tax levies and certify them to the county auditor.

I have reviewed the current financial information for each department, and while several departments appear to be financially healthy, only the police department will not be affected by the result of levies that are on the November ballot.

When the township requested a 2.5 mil police levy in 2004, taxpayers were told those funds would create a maximum $1.8 million in cash reserves. As 2007 concludes, the police department will actually have $3.3 million in cash reserves. I recognize and appreciate the hard work of members and supporters of the Police Department to pass levies, but diligent work at controlling their budgets have paid off.

The result of the healthy financial position of the police department means that we can safely forego collecting the 1984 1.5 mill levy which currently collects approximately $757,000 without reducing police services.

If we were to choose to not take this action, the police department would continue to build cash reserves. In essence, the people who live here today would be paying for police service 15-20 years in the future. My proposal today simply begins to realign our funding sources so that those who are paying for the services actually receive the services.

I believe this is a reasonable step to take, so that we can assure tax payers that we are being prudent and efficient with their tax dollars while being cognizant of the burden property taxes place on the residents and businesses of our community. It is not the place of government to collect whatever revenue it possibly can, just because they can. Government should burden the taxpayers no more than necessary to provide basic necessary services, including emergency services of police and fire.

I believe that we are currently burdening our residents more than necessary, and will continue to support a reduction of tax revenue.