Budget belongs to mayor, political foe says

Mayor Steve Acropolis is blaming everyone but himself for the 9.6-cent tax increase. The reality is that the council must approve the budget. Councilman Acropolis voted to approve those budgets in past years.

Mayor Acropolis deferred $5.8 million of this year's school payment and erased the $3.6 million surplus from Mayor Kelly's budget. A total of $9.4 million is buried in this budget as a result.

Last year then-Councilman Acropolis touted reducing the municipal tax by deferring the school tax payment by $3.4 million so this year's budget has the benefit of an additional $2.4 million deferred school payment plus erasing the $3.6 million surplus for a total of $6.0 million over last year's budget.

Because $468,000 equates to a one-cent increase in the tax rate, Mayor Acropolis actually raised taxes an additional 12.8 cents for a total increase of 22.4 cents. When you add the county tax increase of 3.4 cents and the school tax increase of 9.8 cents, the total tax is actually 35.6 cents.

The mayor can try to place the blame with others, but it's his budget.
Joseph Lamb Sr.
Brick