Lake Worth, Florida - Citizens Against Unfair Taxation

Lake Worth, Florida  - Citizens Against Unfair Taxation

 

Dear Neighbor, It is obvious that the price for utilities is the highest in the entire country. Water costs are high and sewage calculation is a scandal. I have written innumerous letters to city commissioners asking to explain why there is a cap on sewage that makes it cheaper for business owners and extremely expensive for residents.

When my water bill is $60.00 my sewage bill is $55.00 and it doesn’t make sense.  

I don’t believe that the commissioners were able to create a plan for Tax increase on their own, but they are being manipulated by other interest groups to show that it will be good for this bankrupted city.

Please Vote AGAINST the $63.5 Million Lake Worth Tax Bonds on Tuesday, August 26th. Polls are open from 7am to 7pm. 

THIS ELECTION COULD BE DECIDED BY VERY FEW VOTES

YOUR VOTE COUNTS.

Reasons to Vote AGAINST Bonds:

 

1. Lake Worth could pay the HIGHEST taxes in Palm Beach County.

​2. The City says only 30% of our roads will be repaired with the bond money.

3. $63.5 million PLUS interest and expenses will cost at least $131 million over 30 years.

4. A 30 year tax burden for you, your kids and your grandkids is a long time.

5. We could be taxed out of our homes. The commission already voted for higher water & sewer rates; ADD in the bond and property taxes could skyrocket!

6. Landlords are likely to pass along the NEW TAX by charging higher rents.

7. There is NO CAP on per household repayment amount and the City estimates are based on UNSUBSTANTIATED ASSUMPTIONS.

​8. The City will add the cost of repaying this bond to the Non-Ad Valorem section of your tax bill. The average Lake Worth homeowner currently pays $495 a year in these extra taxes.  If this bond passes, that amount could double.

​9. Our small business community will be hard hit by this tax as they do not get the benefits of homesteading.  Some businesses could see their tax bill increase as much as $5000 a year to pay for this bond and many will close up and leave as our neighboring cities offer lower utility rates and taxes..

Citizens Against Unfair Taxation is a group of Lake Worth residents and business owners who work to provide fair and accurate information about issues that affect the taxes you pay.  

 

Risk vs Reward

 

Why are we so concerned about the city's plan to borrow $63.5 million?  We're worried about escalating taxes, to be sure.  But we're also worried about the details -- or lack of details -- in the city's plan.  We understand that infrastructure needs to be addressed.  But we believe that there is a way to do so with much less risk to homeowners.  After all, isn't that what a sound financial plan is about -- maximizing reward while minimizing risk?  So let's take a look at the risks of the current plan:

 

Your Home is On the Line - A General Obligation Bond such as the one you are being asked to vote for on August 26 legally requires the city to raise taxes to whatever level is needed for repayment.  There is no cap and no exception.  If for any reason you cannot make the payment, you can lose your home. 

 

Fuzzy Math - It costs an average of $200,000 to mil (drain) and resurface (pave) 1 mile of a one-lane road according to the American Road and Transportation Builders Association.  The city is asking you to vote for a $63.5 MILLION bond.  That's enough to pave 317 miles of roads!  

 

Fantasy Estimates - The city's repayment estimates are based on a hypothetical increase in property values of 4% per year for each of the next 30+ years.  This has never happened historically.  

Visit www.cautpac.org and register to get a sign in your lawn.

Share this information with your friends. Let them know that a city like Lake Worth should not have taxes more expensive than Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach.
My suggestion: Lets turn the Municipal Golf Course into a city place of Lake Worth, with store, buildings and the money will flow...into the city.

Milton L. Araujo