Fighting Back Against Unsustainable Property Tax Increases
Mount Vernon’s residents are being crushed under the weight of ever-increasing property taxes. Year after year, the city has relied on raising taxes as the go-to solution for its financial challenges, often exceeding the state property tax cap. This approach unfairly burdens hardworking homeowners and renters, forcing them to pay for the city’s inefficiencies, mismanagement, and poor leadership.
A Tax System That Punishes Residents
For too long, city leaders have treated Mount Vernon’s residents as their personal ATM, using tax hikes to cover up fiscal mismanagement rather than addressing the root causes of our financial problems. Instead of solving issues, they pass the cost of their failures onto families and businesses, making it harder for people to afford to live and thrive in our city.
The Real Problem: Inefficiency, Mismanagement, and Waste
Mount Vernon’s financial woes are not due to a lack of resources but to how those resources are managed. Millions of dollars are wasted annually due to inefficient government operations, mismanagement of personnel and resources, and a bloated budget filled with unnecessary jobs handed out to political allies. This culture of waste and favoritism not only drains city coffers but also erodes public trust.
A Smarter Approach to City Finances
Raising taxes is not the answer—it’s time for Mount Vernon to live within its means and ensure every dollar is spent effectively. By tackling inefficiencies and holding city leadership accountable, we can save millions and reduce the financial burden on residents.
My Plan for Financial Responsibility
As your City Council representative, I will:
- Conduct a top-to-bottom review of all city departments to identify inefficiencies and areas for cost savings.
- Eliminate unnecessary positions created as political favors and focus on hiring based on merit and need.
- Improve resource and personnel management to maximize productivity and reduce waste.
- Hold city leaders accountable for staying within the state property tax cap and exploring alternative revenue streams that do not burden residents.
- Create a transparent budget process to ensure residents understand how their tax dollars are being spent and can hold leadership accountable.
A Path to a Better Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon doesn’t have a revenue problem—it has a leadership problem. By addressing the waste, inefficiency, and mismanagement that plague our city government, we can ease the burden on residents while still investing in the future of our community. It’s time to say no to endless tax hikes and demand smarter solutions for Mount Vernon’s financial challenges. Together, we can ensure that our city works for its residents, not at their expense.