Tax Increase? No thanks!

It is no secret that I do not support the upcoming $40M Transportation Referendum.  The town has been coyly campaigning and politicking the benefits of this 11% tax increase over the past few months.  Over the last two decades, the town has done an admirable job with putting the cost of road improvements on the backs of developers, both residential and commercial.  The town has also done an outstanding job with receiving grants to help with various road improvements throughout town.  This has all been done within budget.  We did not live beyond our means.

Now with this “new” town council, we will be faced with the potential of an 11% tax increase.  I have not polled all the members to ask where they stand on the issue, but I expect the majority are in support of the bond. In the spirit of transparency, they probably need to share how they will vote on this when they get to the polls this fall.  

In my opinion, it’s pretty clear that the majority of this council wants to make development more difficult for investors.  Some have also used terms like “responsible” growth to explain their actions.  However, once again, their actions are contrary to what they truly want to accomplish.  We saw that with the Southern Area Planning Initiative (SAPI), where they just implemented urban sprawl style zoning.  In the case of this bond, the intent is to pay for road widening on some state maintained roads.  A good portion of these roads pass undeveloped land, and taxpayers will essentially be paying for these road improvements instead of the future developers.....and there is no legal way for the town to recoup this expense without an action by the General Assembly, which would be unlikely.   Development needs to pay their fare share, not the taxpayers.  Also, these road enhancements will serve to benefit those who pass through Holly Springs from other areas.

Holly Springs did not become one of the most desired places to live and build a business overnight.  The town followed a strong, consistent, logical and successful path which brought many here.  Now this town council wants to change what brought them and many businesses and investment here.  As voters we need to send them the message that we want our tax dollars to be treated seriously.  It is real money, not a credit card with a $40M limit.   We are taught to live within our means....save for a rainy day.....it got us this far, why change the path and saddle us with more of a tax burden?