Re: Taxesby DeputyHowdy All, I have a few questions. The City Council says that we need to increase tax revenue. Why? In the year ending in June of 2006, according to the outside independent auditor, "the City of Lawton the City’s total net assets increased by $5.6 million or 3.6% from the prior year." [Page 8] While Randy does say that the increase cost of fuel and other cost is the reason for the needed tax increase, I find it extremely interesting that city during this same time "the City’s business-type activities, such as utilities, program revenues exceeded expenses by$10.8 million." [ID.] Further, according to the outside, auditor, "At June 30, 2006, the General Fund reported an unreserved, undesignated fund balance of $6 million, which is an increase of 6.3% from the prior year." [Id.] Now, it is important for the citizens to realize that the city must have some carryover in the budget for emergency's. These should be planned and while $6 million may seem like a great deal of money, it may not be if such an emergency did come up. My question is, what happens to the money, is it spent? Is it put into an account? If as the report suggested that the overflow, increases then are we taxing too much? With this in mind, I think that the City Council is asking too much of its citizens to raise taxes when this same report says "For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2006, the City’s total net assets increased by $5.6 million or 3.6% from the prior year." [Id.] The City council should also take into account when asking for more of my hard dollars, what about the increase in the population and the added dollars they bring in. It is my suggestion that the City of Lawton should abandon the 2nd street project, or find private dollars to conduct that project in its entirety. I would also suggest that we get rid of LATS. We do not need to compete against the local cab companies, and doesn't one of the local tribes also operate a competing bus? One last question, on page 16 of this same report, it says the City This year’s more significant capital asset additions included: Street reconstruction - $567,000 Sewer line reconstruction - $2.4 million Traffic signals - $278,000 Southeast water treatment plant - $1.8 million 2 bathrooms - $821,000 Water storage tank – $247,000 I know that Bathrooms are expensive, but $410500 per bathroom? I would like to know more about that capital outlay. Do not take my word for it, read the report yourself. http://www.cityof.lawton.ok.us/Finance/FinRpts/2006%20Financial%20Report... The Deputy
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