William G. Faust Jr. is a resident of Dover.
On June 23, I witnessed the passing of the new Dover budget, with a 10% increase in the electricity rate and with an increase in the cost of treating our water and wastewater. I was appalled by the lack of sympathy and compassion of most council members. The only two who voted no on the budget, because they knew the hardship it would cause their constituents, were Councilmen Brian Lewis and Roy Sudler Jr. Their constituents should be proud of the stance they took.
I felt like I was on a used-car lot, with multiple slick salespeople trying to sell me a lemon. Some on council wanted to stand on studies and our bond rating to justify the new budget. Councilman Sudler made a motion to pass the budget but pause the 10% increase in our electric rate, so council could look at other ways of trimming the budget. This was shot down, with some stating that they had cut all that they could have.
I feel the mayor and council members are not spending city funds wisely. Looking back at our grandparents and the generations that grew up during or after the Depression, they learned to live on a string budget and knew how to stretch a dollar. If council cannot find fat to cut, I believe it is time for an independent or state audit of the city’s revenue use.
Councilwoman Donyale Hall, a newcomer to the body, stated that the 10% increase would help restore the crumbling electrical infrastructure. So, the city failed to put away for a rainy day again. President Fred Neil stated that the budget has no tax increase in it. Big deal! When you have already passed on an emergency medical services fee, an increase in our trash fee, an increase in our electricity rate and a 2% square-footage tax in the last budget, this is a moot point. Now, with the new increases, this is the stance the mayor and council want to be proud of.
The way things are going, I can see additional fees and other increases before the year is out, due to the lack of revenue coming into the city.
The demographics of Dover are not going to change. We have many tax-exempt businesses in Dover, which was expressed loudly at June 23’s meeting. OK, what are the mayor and council doing to bring in the much-needed revenue?
Past actions speak louder than words. There has been no action showing the residents any type of saving or relief from the most recent fees or increases over the past two years. The mayor and council only seem to be able to pass the burden on to the citizens. It seems that they have not found a fee or increase that they are not willing to approve.
With all the violence, prostitution, homelessness and murders occurring in our fair city, who would want to set up a business or raise a family here?
Remember, elections for a new mayor and councilpersons whose terms are ending are only two years away. Keep doing what you are doing, and you may have a different outcome in two years. Keep beating the citizens down with fees and increases of all different types, and you may see some changes in who is elected. This is something the mayor and council should consider when they conduct the required business of the city.
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.
