BUDGET PROPOSAL 2010/2011

In this weeks local paper (4/28/2010) it was stated that there would be no fee increases for the 2010/2011 budget. I think that’s fine except Town employees did not also get a raise again and then it was stated that a double bonus would be considered at Christmas for them. (Bonuses with tax payer dollars??!!)

Once again they did not raise the meal and lodging tax to 5.5% from the current 5%. It was stated that we have too many empty stores to implement this tax now. First of all this is a PASS THRU TAX which has not hurt the Town of South Hill at all. Per their budget report in the same paper, they stated their tax rate at 5.5% last year and their new proposed budget for 2010/2011 at 5.5%. Secondly, what does a meal and lodging tax have to due with empty store fronts? THIS IS A FOOD AND LODGING TAX. Our Town employees could have gotten their raise with this tax. We could also use the monies to help pay down our 6.5 million dollar debt.