E-City Beat Editor’s Candidate Endorsements
Many Great Falls property owners received their ballots today for the upcoming City Park District and the Great Falls Public School District levies. Following right behind Federal Tax Day and a little more than a month away from Montana Property Tax Day, it seems like every level of government wants more of our money.
Sometimes we get to vote, and sometimes we don’t. You might ask, how does that work? In the case of the school district, the Board of Trustees without a vote of the taxpayers has already decided to levy an additional $649,441 (bet you didn’t know that), and wants another $1,348,000 to pay for operational cost increases. That means we’re all paying for increases in health insurance premiums for district employees including administrators and negotiated raises. But, of course the narrative from the school district is always the same, “it’s for the kids”.
“In the case of the school district, the Board of Trustees without a vote of the taxpayers has already decided to levy an additional $649,441 (bet you didn’t know that), and wants another $1,348,000 to pay for operational cost increases.”
The City wants $12,600,000 for the creation of a citywide Park District to cover deferred maintenance costs of park properties and additional personnel. Keep in mind that a lot of the property owners whose property lies within the existing boulevard district already are assessed added taxes, so they get a double whammy. That should make you feel special. To make the increase in taxes more palatable, the City promises not to levy more than $1.5M per year for the next three years. After that it would only take an affirmative vote by the city commission to increase the annual amount until the whole $12.6 is on the tax rolls.
In addition to the two levy requests, two seats are open on the GFPS Board of Trustees.
As Editor of E-City Beat, I have decided to endorse Barbara Going and Judy Tankink for the school board and here’s why:
“As Editor of E-City Beat, I have decided to endorse Barbara Going and Judy Tankink for the school board and here’s why:”
Both Barbara and Judy believe in Term limits for school board trustees. Some existing trustees have served well over 10 years and it’s time for a change. Barbara and Judy are not afraid to speak up and defend traditional values.
I believe both Barbara and Judy are in favor of common sense over Common Core. I also believe that Barbara and Judy are fiscal conservatives and will be good stewards of taxpayer money. Barbara and Judy have an inclusive mindset and will allow varying opinions about the operation of the school district to be heard.
If you don’t vote, you have no voice at all.
Yup…. I said that yesterday.
Wish I had this info BEFORE I sent my ballot in.
Lynn, You can go down to the Elections office, 325 2nd Ave North, and ask for a replacement ballot. They will give you the one that you filled out and mailed, destroy it, and give you a new ballot which you can fill out on the spot.