It's time for all 'tax slaves' to take control

Attention tax slaves to the public employees and elected elites. We cave dwellers can expect a new and improved series of tax levies, fees, assessments, bonds or whatever they call them, of not only greater amounts but for longer periods of time – like the never ending library taxes(s). New scheme; a regional “non” stinking wastewater treatment site.

The City Council spent $905,000 on 32.2 acres in the hope of housing a waste-water plant serving five area sewer districts (missed that vote). How nice that the city had this “leftover tax money” to shell out for four other towns in Bonner County — happy birthday y’all, we homeowners in Sandpoint have lots of money to throw away. Oh and Councilwoman  Carrie Logan, it doesn’t matter what pot you take it from, it’s our money and if not spent for its taxed purpose then it must be returned to us, those paying excessive property taxes.

 Now don’t be surprised, the next part of their scheme is to begin collecting property taxes now and for the next 15 years in advance just in case this scheme comes about. Two years ago Public Works Director Kody Van Dyk got an $8.5 million tax levy for sewer renovations; however, it actually cost $7.5 million leaving $1 million of taxpayer money left over. This money should have been returned to the taxpayers from whom you conned it out of. How many other such tax schemes have “leftover” monies, and he wants another $20.5 million for a new water plant that we already voted down, God we must be stupid.

In addition, the county commissioners and City Council are going to increase property taxes this year to cover the ever expanding county and city governments payroll, expect an increase of approximately 11-13 percent on top of all the levy’s we’re paying. Cut the cost of government, institute a two-year hiring freeze, pay freeze, promotion freeze, equipment purchases. Eliminate positions by 10 percent, straight line organizations, consolidate functions, etc., and cut all other discretionary spending by 20 percent including public employees driving taxpayers vehicles to and from work, that’s our money you’re wasting.

Tax slaves, come November vote no on every tax scheme presented and every incumbent on the ballot, we must get the governments back and run things for us not public department heads and the elected elites.

THOMAS F. DICKSON

Sandpoint