They say a picture paints a thousand words.
But a couple hundred words can pen a poignant portrait, when the language is descriptive, the content is meaningful.
A recent letter written to local county commissioners conveyed both advice and caution. It concerned the budget process for this year. It centered specifically on property taxes and fees.
The letter carried even more meaning because of its author -- John Crawford, who is the clerk of courts and the custodian of county funds. Crawford deplored the notion of raising taxes in a difficult economic recession.
Commissioners are formulating the budget for this year, and have left open the possibility of raising the property-tax rate. This development has occurred suddenly. Initially, county officials expressed the hope and intention of reducing the county budget by as much as 15 percent -- as engineered by county finance director Ted Selby.
Crawford echoes such frugal action in his letter. He praises commissioners for putting the county’s finances in order over the recent years. However, he blasts them for even considering a tax increase right now.
“... Nassau County government is currently in much better financial condition than the taxpayers who support it,” Crawford writes. “This is a time when governmental frugality and taxpayer relief are sorely needed.”
While the letter was directed at county commissioners, their counterparts in Fernandina Beach should take notice. City officials are raising fees and exploring other tax-generating ideas (such as parking meters) to help raise funds to support governmental expenses.
This is unfortunate. There is probably not a private company in the U.S. -- large, medium or small -- that has not responsibly pared expenses during the past couple of years. Companies have acted to withstand the economic downturn and the potential that it may persist.
On a local level, you hope government officials will act accordingly. They can easily see the impact of the recession on local businesses and families. The owner of the biggest mill here is in bankruptcy; a major resort is scrambling for financing alternatives; and empty storefronts persist.
To look the other way, and not see the signs of distress, is irresponsible and callous. Elected officials are often elected on promises of prudent government and reduced spending. They uncannily abandon this platform once elected. Unfortunately, we’ve seen this picture before -- like hundreds of times.
(Steve Nicklas is a financial advisor who lives on Amelia Island. He can be reached at 904-753-0236 or at thenicklasteam2@msn.com.)
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A four-week adult-education class, "Investing in Today's Financial Markets," will be offered beginning Sept. 22, 2009 at the Florida State College’s Nassau Center on State Highway A1A in Yulee. The class will cover many aspects of the financial markets, including stocks and bonds and popular vehicles such as mutual funds. Local financial advisor Steve Nicklas will teach the class, which has been offered locally for eight years. The class will meet weekly on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The cost of the class is $36. The college can be reached at 904- 548-4432.
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