Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Tax Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents criticize tax abatements and warn of traffic, school funding impacts
Summary
Speakers at public comment questioned the use of 10-year tax abatements amid a $4 million reported school shortfall and raised parking and safety concerns about a proposed Dairy Belle and laundromat near local schools; speakers urged the council to reconsider abatement policies.
Mary Shones told the council she is concerned about the link between tax abatements and the city's budget problems, saying schools face a $4,000,000 shortfall and arguing that generous abatements for businesses shift tax burdens to working residents. "Giving a business a 10 year tax amnesty when our schools are having a $4,000,000 budget shortfall is not sound fiscal practice," she said.
George Stoya, a resident of Robertsdale, echoed concerns about abatements and pressed the council to consider traffic and safety impacts from the Dairy Belle and laundromat planned for 1719'1733 Indianapolis Boulevard. He warned lines and parking could create congestion near nearby schools and urged the council to ensure the developer addresses traffic mitigation. Both speakers asked the council to reconsider routine use of long abatements except for extraordinary projects.
