Lawsuit Filed Against Curry's Pension Sales Tax

[vicupstate]

The answer to the problem is by a referendum, sadly, because Council won't approve higher millages.  Brown had the same problem.  It's just now going to happen in Jacksonville anytime soon.

Actually city council DID approve a millage increase during the Brown administration, against his strong protest to balance the General budget.   

Ok, great point. Millages were raised, but yet the pension problem wasn't fixed?  And yet there is faith here that millages will be raised enough to fix the pension, AND it won't be used for other purposes?  Hasn't this already happened a dozen times?  Where's the guarantee that increases millages will be used to fix the pension? 

Voting NO blindly puts faith in Council, right?  No thanks.   

Also, I find it somewhat confusing for anyone to have voted Curry in, and be voting this plan NO.  There's probably a handful of folks here that are finding themselves in that  situation.

The tax increase was not pegged to the Pension but other general fund items. It was the first millage increase in many years and came after several tax DECREASES earlier in the last 20 years, which is part of the reason this problem occurred.

This is NOT the Federal government, deficit spending cannot occur. JAX MUST pay the pension. If this option isn't taken, another will be forthcoming, hopefully one that doesn't kick the can down the road. 

No, voting for Curry does not mean you are obligated to support anything and everything he supports til death do us part. 

[southsider1015]

If you voted for Lenny, you voted for his policies, no?  He ran on fixing the pension problem, not sure on what was promised. 

My other point was that, sure, millages were raised, but not to fix the pension.  Council won't raise millages to fix the pension.  They could, and Lenny could approve or try to veto like Alvin Brown.

Council is weak on pension.  Lenny is doing the dirty work.   If it doesn't pass, well have to cut services because Council won't raise millages.  Watch.

[Chris Hand]

My other point was that, sure, millages were raised, but not to fix the pension.  Council won't raise millages to fix the pension.  They could, and Lenny could approve or try to veto like Alvin Brown.

Just to be clear on a legal point because I have seen this subject raised elsewhere on MJ: A City of Jacksonville mayor can recommend a millage rate, but does not have the power to decide the millage rate. Only City Council has the authority to establish that rate, and the mayor cannot veto the millage rate set by City Council.

Here is a comprehensive treatment of the issue from the COJ Office of General Counsel: http://apps2.coj.net/City_Council_Public_Notices_Repository/20130722%2013-2%20Legal%20Opinion.pdf

[tufsu1]

Council is weak on pension.  Lenny is doing the dirty work.   If it doesn't pass, well have to cut services because Council won't raise millages.  Watch.

he isn't doing any dirty work.  He is supporting a plan that doesn't raise revenues for 15 years!

[southsider1015]

My other point was that, sure, millages were raised, but not to fix the pension.  Council won't raise millages to fix the pension.  They could, and Lenny could approve or try to veto like Alvin Brown.

Just to be clear on a legal point because I have seen this subject raised elsewhere on MJ: A City of Jacksonville mayor can recommend a millage rate, but does not have the power to decide the millage rate. Only City Council has the authority to establish that rate, and the mayor cannot veto the millage rate set by City Council.

Here is a comprehensive treatment of the issue from the COJ Office of General Counsel: http://apps2.coj.net/City_Council_Public_Notices_Repository/20130722%2013-2%20Legal%20Opinion.pdf

Thanks Chris.  My first point is further validated.   All this focus on the current and past mayors.  Council sets the millages and revenues, not the mayor.  Lenny is attempting to solve the problem with a referendum since Council won't. 

If this doesn't pass, and given that we must balance the budget, I see Council cutting services, not raising millages, given this City's history.    Just my prediction.

[Sunbeam]

no they wont cut anything they will continue to add more debt by using the credit card banking fund while pretending and stating they havent raised taxes

the banking fund debt in 2010 was $65 million today it over 1/2 BILLION dollars of debt-all because they want to say they didnt raise taxes mean while our debt has NEVER been higher

[tufsu1]

^ what the heck are you talking about?  Council raised the millage rate (yes taxes) just a few years ago.

[southsider1015]

^ what the heck are you talking about?  Council raised the millage rate (yes taxes) just a few years ago.

Why would they raise millages to fix the pension problem now?   Because the referendum doesn't pass, tha will convince them now to fix the problem?  Not likely.  The problem will just continue to grow, and sure, one day, they'll have to raise revenues because they can't cut services anymore. 

[tufsu1]

I'm willing to bet that, if it doesn't pass, Council debates a millage rate increase in September.

[MusicMan]

Lenny's plan is a POS.

Start the half cent tax immediately and then tell me what the total payback is. His plan kicks the can down the road for everyone's children
to pay, at least those who stay in Jax.

This is such a piece of Bull sh%t, why can't the partisan Repubs admit it?