Budget - E-mail to Largo Mayor and City CommissionersFirst of all, congratulations Mayor on winning your second term, I only wish you had done it without Mr. Jackson's, and the city employees' mistakes. On the budget issue, I cannot implore you enough not to raise taxes. I can't tell you how many people I know are living on the edge as it is, and any increase will really hurt them. With unemployment at almost 12% I don't know how you can justify having the maximum rate allowed by law. What will you do next year? I foresee that having a negative impact on property values, and unemployment, and don't understand why you can't see that also. You folks need to make the hard decisions, and maybe compare the city to private businesses, but that is the job you campaigned for. Many private employers have lowered the amount they contribute to employees health plans, or done away with them completely, and have put on hold the beautification of their land, maybe the city should consider this also. There has to be some places you can cut expenditures. Look harder, and demand your city manager that he look harder. Other cities have managed to find them; you can too. Largo is the City of Progress, but I think we will become the City of Regress unless you act appropriately. - Steve Trizis
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