It seems to me that no matter what party affiliation an elected official claims, they all love to spend money.
I would hazard a guess many politicians have never met a tax increase they won't embrace.
While I understand there are real needs to be addressed in Crestview — like new police cars and fire equipment — I am sure that the city's budgets are not what many families would consider bare bones.
I haven't seen the financial statements or the budgets, but I imagine the average family could find many ways to still cut expenses from the city's lean budget.
A financially strapped family must make difficult decisions; needed items are put on the back burner to pay for necessities, such as food and shelter.
Making do with what one has is the norm for many residents; families (tax payers) have to tighten their belts to make ends meet — so should cities, counties, states and the federal government.
Make some meaningful, tax-saving changes.
In addition, difficult questions must be asked. First, why were 26 police cars purchased the same year? Most financial experts would recommend making capital expenditures over several years, so that in the case of needed police vehicles, they can be replaced over an extended period.
I would highly recommend that this type of procedure is implemented when new cruisers are purchased.
I fully support raising our fine police officers' salaries, and I know that we need to replace some fire equipment; but we also need to be aware that raising taxes strains already financially strapped families.
Long-term expenditures should be carefully examined to see if they are truly needed.
City leaders: Please be responsible, as paying tax increases, for those on fixed incomes, may mean going hungry or losing their homes.
We need to protect our vulnerable elderly and disabled residents.
Janice Lynn Crose lives in Crestview with her husband, Jim; her two rescue collies, Shane and Jasmine; and two cats, Kathryn and Prince Valiant.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CROSE: City should consider elderly, disabled when budgeting