Howe: Court Debt Not Responsible

I would like to commend Fredericksburg Patch Editor Michael Theis for laying out the facts associated with the city debt increases with the proposed courts project that I and two other City Council members have consistently voted against.

The tax increase, which represents approximately 10 percent for this project alone, doesn't even account for the many needs of the city and the subsequent tax increases which will follow within the next two years. The next increase will be the real estate reassessment followed by the next wave of capital improvement projects and state budget shifts back to the city. I am projecting based on what we have identified to date that the city tax rate will need to increase 20-25 percent in the next two to three years. We are and will systematically drive business and home owners out of the city with these tax projections.

Fiscal accountability should be demanded by the city tax payers - yet they remained largely silent and uninvolved during this entire courts project purchase; they have therefore in my mind - agreed to pay the price for ownership.

Fred Howe

Councilman, Ward 3