Tax hikes deemed unlikely
But council may let voters decide
Even if the Brockton City Council agrees to put Mayor James Harrington's proposed tax overrides on the November ballot - and that's no sure thing - voters are unlikely to pass them, say some council members.
"I'm hearing from people that they're not going to support this," said Councilor at Large Thomas Brophy. "I don't believe they're going to pass."
With that view as the backdrop, the council's Finance Committee July 21 will consider whether to put some or all of the four proposed overrides on the November ballot. The items total $3.59 million. A week later, on July 28, the City Council will make the final decision about what goes on the ballot.
"It's going to be a pretty good discussion," said Councilor at Large Robert Sullivan, who chairs the City Council, of the first session. "Some councilors don't want the overrides to go forward, but my opinion is, what's the harm of putting them on the ballot? On the basis of democracy, let the public decide."
But, he cautioned, it's not clear a successful override campaign could be organized quickly enough. And taxpayers are already facing major increases, he said, including a recently approved 60 percent hike in their water rates.
According to Jay Condon, Brockton's chief financial officer, the tax bill on the average-priced home, assessed at $264,000, is currently a little more than $2,500. The $3.59 million in overrides would increase that bill by a little less than $100.
The last time Brockton voters were asked to permanently increase their taxes to cover operational expenses was in 1991. The three questions - for police, fire, and schools - all failed by large margins, Brophy said.
The mayor's slate of tax increases calls for $780,000 for the Police Department to cover the hiring of 10 officers; $350,000 for the Fire Department to hire six firefighters; $210,000 for the public library to allow the return of full services; and $2.25 million to fully restore school transportation.
The money for the 10 police officers and six firefighters would fill jobs left vacant due to budget constraints.
Not only did positions go unfilled as a way to stay within this year's budget, but 15 city employees were laid off when the new fiscal year began this week. The library was the heaviest hit, losing five from its staff.
The School Department, meanwhile, decided to stagger school starting and dismissal times this fall to accommodate a reduction in its fleet of buses from 77 to 50.
"The $2.25 million for the schools is the most controversial of the overrides," Brophy said. "The question itself just says for the Brockton public schools. I want to make sure the question is specific to its purpose."
Transportation expenses for the schools are paid with funds from general government accounts.
Brophy isn't alone in his concern over the wording of the tax increases.
"The questions are all too vague," said Councilor at Large Linda Balzotti.
"They ask for money for the police and money for the Fire Department. We need to amend them to make them more specific."
Balzotti's prediction on the outcome of any proposed tax increases resembled Brophy's. "My contacts tell me that due to the economy, the questions more than likely won't pass," she said. But, she said, "I would still like to give the people the opportunity to vote."
Because a portion of this year's taxes will have already been collected by November, the overrides, even if they pass, will only marginally affect the current year, said Ward Three Councilor Dennis Eaniri.
"We're already balanced somewhat for this year," Eaniri said. "If these are approved in November, you may see some revenue increases at the tail end of this fiscal year, but it's more about what we're going to do in 2010."
He continued: "If the overrides fail or don't get on the ballot, you'll soon know who is going to be laid off. We would definitely have to attack bodies next year, unless we got some huge windfall from the state."
Christine Legere can be reached at christinelegere@yahoo.com.
