The Political Motivation Behind the Roswell Bond Question

This bond referendum question is politically motivated!

There has been a lot of rhetoric about the Roswell bond question. It’s all been a smokescreen; a diversion to focus the public’s attention away from the real dilemma facing Roswell’s city government!

The absolute worst case scenario for a politician is to have to publicize a property tax increase during an election year. That is precisely what Mayor Wood wishes to avoid, as well as the next three Council members up for re-election, even if it requires deceiving the public.

If this bond issue is voted down, then the last dollar that the city needs to take in to retire all existing debt will be during the next fiscal year.

Does that mean my taxes will go down?

That would be completely up to the Roswell City Council and they would have two options. They could decrease taxes for property owners, but the only thing the Mayor and Council admit is that property taxes will not go up.

Well that is the wrong answer to the important question!

Or will they issue a new bond that continues to utilize existing debt service income that would otherwise have been retired, allowing the city government to continue to collect property owner’s money?

This latter option is their intention and it will temporarily allow them to avoid advertising a property tax increase until after the next election in November 2013.

Lee Fleck

Roswell's Budget Hawk