CITY: Tax hike timing is terrible

A recent article in The Press stated that the city is going to raise property taxes because they are unable to fund all of the city's obligations. This is because of reduced income from the community as a result of the current recession.

Now today (Aug. 5, 2010) I read that the city is going to give a one percent pay raise to city employees. If they don't have the money to meet current obligations then they don't have the money for pay raises.

This is the worst recession that I have seen in 60 years. Social Security raises are frozen and my investment income has taken a big hit. The housing market collapsed and there is 10 percent unemployment. The city needs to freeze wages and hiring until the economy recovers. I was a city employee and in the last recession the city I worked for had to freeze wages and hiring for a five-year period.

You and I have had to adjust our budgets and it's time the city did the same. How about putting the McEwen field project on hold and cutting LCDC's tax income by the amount the city needs to exist. The city does control LCDC, doesn't it? Wake up City Council, the community is financially hurting and can't afford your tax increase.

LARRY CLARK

Coeur d'Alene