How about returning any extra tax money?

By GREG HAMILTON

© St. Petersburg Times, published August 6, 2000

A funny thing is happening these days as our elected representatives ponder how to spend our money next year. From commissioners to legislators and everything in between, they're wringing their hands over having too much tax money.

And in nearly every case, they're missing the obvious answer: Give it back to us.

Just last week, School Superintendent Pete Kelly boasted to the School Board about how fat the district's wallet is for the coming year. The district finished the last school year with an extra $7-million, and even after filling up various contingency funds, Kelly still expects to have $3-million lying around.

"That's pure cash," he announced.

Terrific. Now, give it back.

A similar scene played out Wednesday before the county commissioners. The garbage tax that we've been paying since 1997 has raised enough revenue to pay off the landfill mortgage by 2002 and still have $4-million to set aside for future projects.

Excellent work, folks. When can we expect our refund check?

Yeah, yeah, I know. It's in the mail.

It's not that simple, of course. There are many public needs to be addressed after being underfunded or unmet entirely over the years, plus our representatives must set aside contingency funds.

But before they go feverishly throwing millions of extra dollars around, can they at least consider Plan B: Return to sender?

The healthy economy is being credited for this rise in revenue. Property values are going up (6 percent in Citrus County last year, according to our property appraiser).

As that continues, budget drafters can expect much more tax revenue, even if the tax rate stays the same. The county, for instance, is expected to take in $2.46-million more this year than last.

So, why not ease the load on the taxpayers?

Mild applause for the School Board, which is doing just that with a modest millage cut. But county commissioners, after a couple of years of similar rollbacks, are sticking to their rate.

The Southwest Florida Water Management District also is standing pat, which this year will mean $200-million to spend. The city of Crystal River is actually raising its rate. Inverness has jacked its rate, too, but expects to lower it by the final budget hearing.

We've all heard about the bazillion-dollar national surplus that the Beltway Boys are wrestling over how to spend.

And in Tallahassee, our legislators approved a $50.9-billion budget and still had so much money left over they sprinkled more than 20 tax breaks among the masses. Of course, some members of the public are luckier than others in catching those breaks.

For the second straight year, investors won a cut in intangibles taxes on stocks and bonds. Hospitals, developers, and parimutuels also were so blessed.

And the rest of us? Hope you enjoyed your sales tax-free shopping last week.

Not all of the office-holders are tone deaf when it comes to excess tax revenues. County Commissioner Jim Fowler got it right last week during discussion of the garbage tax.

"If we've got $4-million extra that came about because we imposed a new tax on the citizens and businesses of this county, we might want to consider reducing that tax," he said, a sentiment not universally embraced by his colleagues.

Superintendent Kelly's comments about the extra money as well as the School Board's move to nibble at the tax rate drew complaints that the cut is too puny at best and an election-year ploy at worse.

So what? Even if it is political pandering, it's a step in the right direction.

Almost every day, some pundit or talking head on television chirps about this "period of unprecedented prosperity." Maybe, but not for everyone.

For so many working families and retirees in Citrus and elsewhere, life remains a financial struggle and any reduction by our elected leaders in the tax burden would be welcome.

What part of that don't they understand?

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