Friday, October 10, 2003
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Friday, October 10, 2003 |
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War of words prelude to final tax vote By J. FRANK
LYNCH
The bitter and personal political feud that’s been waged in recent months between Mayor Steve Brown and Mayor Pro Tem Dan Tennant reached a furious pitch at last week’s council meeting, displayed in a debate on city spending that left even veteran observers of city politics shaking their heads. The odds were in favor of some type of confrontation going into the meeting, loaded with two very high profile issues that have divided Tennant and Brown: Raising the millage rate to cover the city’s $27 million budget, and the future of the development authority. What nobody expected, perhaps, was the turnout from the citizenry themselves — dozens of residents who used an open forum period created last-minute by Brown to express their anger and frustration at the state of city affairs. The target of much of their ire was Brown, the first-time mayor who rode into office in 2001 on a pledge to sweep the old political establishment from power. But with the future of the development authority in doubt, and management of the city’s tennis center and amphitheater hanging in the balance, combined with a financial reality that will likely demand another tax increase a year from now, Brown’s job looks to get no easier. Enter Tennant, the Post 2 candidate running for re-election largely on a platform that appears to directly oppose Brown on just about every issue. During budget hearings in August, Tennant offered three spending proposals that would have required no tax increase, but slight cuts to city staff, benefits and some services. He also offered, for the first time, an idea to raise some city fees, particularly those charged on traffic violations. But when a proposal to raise the occupational businesses tax came up for approval last Thursday, Tennant nixed it — arguing against any tax increase. As the final consideration of the .53 increase in the millage was discussed last week, Tennant reminded the audience of his own efforts to force the city to live within its means. Brown, apparently, had had enough. “I didn’t know you were going to take this in the direction you did,” Brown said near the end of Tennant’s comments. “Well did you think I was going to be in favor of a tax increase?” Tennant replied. Brown discredited Tennant’s budget proposals as being unworkable, particularly since they would have given raises to public safety workers but denied them to maintenance employees. Councilmen Murray Weed and Steve Rapson sided with the mayor on the wisdom of such a move. “Look, it may be a difference of opinion, but that’s my opinion,” Tennant argued. Said Weed, “You’re entitled to your opinion.” Added Rapson, “It’s also important to note that the fire and police departments also disagreed with you.” Tennant shot back, “Why don’t you make yourselves feel better and pass your tax increase?” But Brown wasn’t finished: “The ‘no tax’ rhetoric of your previous election was followed by the biggest tax increase in city history,” the mayor said. “Is this what we can expect of you if you get reelected again?” “I don’t know, we may not have to worry about it, will we?” replied Tennant. Said Brown, “We can only hope now, can’t we?” With that, City Manager Bernard McMullen interrupted and requested a vote on the millage and budget be taken. It was approved, 3-1, with Tennant casting the dissenting vote. Councilwoman Annie McMenamin was absent. The 12.3 percent tax increase will raise the taxes on an average $200,000 house by about $100 annually, city staff claimed. It was retroactive, going into effect as of Oct. 1, the start of the fiscal year. The city election is Nov. 4.
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