While the original numbers floating around the Internet were to be "2.999%", the City of Franklin approved its 2011 budget Tuesday night that raises the tax levy by 2.6%. Despite the rise in the levy, many residents likely won't be seeing much (or any) in terms of an increase on their bills next month. Thanks to the reassessments of properties throughout the city, most homes have decreased in value thanks to the Great Recession.
Aldermen and Mayor Taylor argued heavily that the residents of Franklin appreciate the quality of what amenities and offerings are presented to them today. When quality begins to suffer, people are quick to notice and request that it improve. I tend to agree with this notion, primarily because we have an interesting situation in our community. Since we don't have the wide variety of amenities to pick and choose from, when something here looks amiss or impacted in a negative way, it really is highlighted for the world to see like a beacon.
As of right now, the top areas that residents appreciate the most are likely the police, fire, and public works departments. Schools are in need to be looked over, especially the high school, but that's a district issue. Our parks certainly could use more in terms of building a bridge to bringing in the community parks with the subdivisions adjoining them. They're gems that aren't proudly displayed, and given that significant amounts of our tax dollars goes to fund them, they should be. The only significant community amenity here in Franklin is the library, and when service levels at the library falter it's certainly made known not by Barb Roark, but by the people who utilize our library.
So yes, some are upset over the levy increase. But I remember a time back in 2008 where taxes were being raised to a point where several bloggers asked the mayoral candidates at the time to sign a pledge not to increase the tax levy above 3%. Both candidates signed that pledge, and Mayor Taylor upon re-election has proposed tax levies under 3%. The same goes for Franklin Public Schools, where the 2007-08 radical levy increase of 11% jolted residents and helped with a new batch of board members to replace resigning ones. Since then, the levy increases have been modest at best, floating between 3-5% each year since.
There are times when we complain just for the sake of complaining. It's fine to do this, and we're all guilty of it at some time or another. But for these cases I hope a little history and explanation behind why the budget is what it is can prove to be helpful.
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