Baldwin taxpayers will pay hundreds more in property taxes this year after the Baldwin City Council voted to raise the millage rate. Council members Stephanie Almagno, Theron Ayers, Alice Venter, and Maarten Venter voted for the increase. Councilman Larry Lewallen was the only one to vote against it.
The vote came on the heels of the council’s third and final public hearing on the rate hike. City Clerk Emily Woodmaster read aloud a letter from a couple in Lake Ridge Trail who were opposed.
Nancy and Ted Lehman addressed their comments to the council and spoke of how their taxes would nearly double if the rate was approved (which it was).
“A 90% increase in city tax in one year is excessive. Yes, we like having 24- hour police protection. We like having the fire department with the outstanding ISO rating that Baldwin has. We would very much like to have Animal Control – one of our most important services in our neighborhood which no longer exists. We know all of these things take money and that costs have risen, but costs have not doubled. We strongly encourage the city to re-evaluate the millage rate increase. The city budget should not have doubled in one year and neither should the real estate tax.”
The Lehman’s were among a handful of residents who spoke out against the tax increase over the course of the hearings. After the vote was taken, Mayor Joe Elam announced, “We have adopted our millage rate which means we have solidified our budget for this next fiscal year.”
Following that pronouncement, Elam somewhat distanced himself calling it “one of the most difficult decisions” made in all his years on the council.
“I am going to say I have not voted on this. That does not mean that I do not support this. In my position as Mayor, I was not given the opportunity to either vote or not vote for this. I want to thank the council. I want to thank the staff for the incredible amount of effort they put into this millage and budget. I want to also say that there are substantial opportunities on the horizon. That if we are blessed enough, hopefully, the time will come when we can readjust this millage rate.”
Elam vowed to “hold our city accountable to prove that this increase in service will play out in our daily lives.”
Almagno, who is up for re-election next year, says by voting on the tax increase she raised her own taxes $90 a month.
“My taxes went up almost $400 a year. What that represents though is $90 a month and for $90 a month total……I am getting 24-hour fire, I am getting police, I know the city has legal counsel, and I know we have IT, I know we have excellent staff. So, while my taxes went up, I feel for $90 a month – the streets, can’t forget streets – I feel like I’m getting excellent service and appreciate the folks that work for the city, for me, for all of the residents.”
Councilman Maarten Venter said this would likely be the last time he votes for a millage rate hike.
“My goal is to increase investment in Baldwin as far as the commercial side is concerned, so, we’ll be able to start rolling this back.”
