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Annexation: No "Little Blue Pill"
Kokomo has an E.D. Problem.
E = Economic
D = Development
Annexation is no 'little blue pill.'
Even as a casual observer, it is plain to see that the 'good old boy' system in Local Government is to blame.
With the annexation, your elected officials have demonstrated that they are more focused on adding people to Kokomo's count than they are on adding jobs. That only helps politicians, not the people.
Stop looking for little blue pills, Kokomo.
5th District: "No" on 6590
Well at least someone is looking out for you, instead of their pet projects, Kokomo.
According to the Kokomo Perspective, Councilwoman Cindy Sanders has committed to voting against Ordinance 6590, which would spend $350,000 of your tax money on plans and land for a new fire station. Don't feel like you need a fire station? Of course you don't, it's only the mayor and council who want to force city services on a bunch of people who don't want them, via annexation. Are you willing to pay for the mayor's risky annexation scheme, Kokomo?
Sanders says that there can be no sacred cows with next year's budget, and that she doesn't "believe appropriating money to hire an architect to design a new fire station or to purchase land to build outside of the city is in the best interest of the community"
This doesn't shock me a bit. Sanders was one of only two council members who voted against annexation last summer. At the time, the councilwoman stated, "After much consideration, with the high cost of fuel, goods, services and with the uncertainties I feel in the city’s ability to make needed capital improvements I will vote no to the annexation plan. Making sure we can provide the necessary services and protecting our citizens is the goal. Furthermore having the flexibility to invest in economic development in order to expand our tax base will be a major factor in determining our future."
Kokomo, this lady is looking out for you. She sees the economic and financial troubles the city is in. She knows that what this town needs is jobs, not new citizens (who already live here.) She knows that it is more important to work hard at cutting the budget, while trying to maintain services for existing residents than it is to extend unsustainable services to newly annexed citizens.
Contact YOUR representatives and tell them to side with Mrs. Sanders. Tell them that you reject annexation. Tell them you reject 6590, tell them you want real economic development. The kind that creates jobs.
According to the Kokomo Perspective, Councilwoman Cindy Sanders has committed to voting against Ordinance 6590, which would spend $350,000 of your tax money on plans and land for a new fire station. Don't feel like you need a fire station? Of course you don't, it's only the mayor and council who want to force city services on a bunch of people who don't want them, via annexation. Are you willing to pay for the mayor's risky annexation scheme, Kokomo?
Sanders says that there can be no sacred cows with next year's budget, and that she doesn't "believe appropriating money to hire an architect to design a new fire station or to purchase land to build outside of the city is in the best interest of the community"
This doesn't shock me a bit. Sanders was one of only two council members who voted against annexation last summer. At the time, the councilwoman stated, "After much consideration, with the high cost of fuel, goods, services and with the uncertainties I feel in the city’s ability to make needed capital improvements I will vote no to the annexation plan. Making sure we can provide the necessary services and protecting our citizens is the goal. Furthermore having the flexibility to invest in economic development in order to expand our tax base will be a major factor in determining our future."
Kokomo, this lady is looking out for you. She sees the economic and financial troubles the city is in. She knows that what this town needs is jobs, not new citizens (who already live here.) She knows that it is more important to work hard at cutting the budget, while trying to maintain services for existing residents than it is to extend unsustainable services to newly annexed citizens.
Contact YOUR representatives and tell them to side with Mrs. Sanders. Tell them that you reject annexation. Tell them you reject 6590, tell them you want real economic development. The kind that creates jobs.
8 Ways To Stick It To Them
In response to the Administration's "take it and like it" tone and actions on annexation, I've devised a set of ways you can stick it to them if things don't "go your way."
I seriously hope it doesn't come down to this folks, but you have stay two steps ahead of 'these people.' Lucky for us, its 'these people' that we're dealing with and it isn't too hard to stay out front. I've been looking over their blueprint for annexation and I see some fun ways to ensure you get your money's worth and jack with the estimates in their financial plan. Without further ado, I present "8 Ways to Stick it to the City Administration."
1. Shoot for 2 tons of trash a year.The city has estimated that as newly annexed citizens, you'll throw away a ton of garbage a year. Don't let them sell you short, folks. Double it.
2. Get rid of it.
2. Get rid of it.
Well, you can't burn it can you? Kick that mattress to the curb. Let Mayor Goodnight find a spot for that broken console TV. Maybe he can recycle it and turn it into "green energy" and power Kokomo City Hall. Ditch something big every time you are eligible.
3. Insist that any township-owned parks be transferred to the city's care for maintenance.
3. Insist that any township-owned parks be transferred to the city's care for maintenance.
Seriously. I know you don't really care who maintains, but the administration seems quick to take your taxes. They are a little hesitant about picing up all the related costs though.
4. Senior Citizens, take the bus once a day, just for kicks.
4. Senior Citizens, take the bus once a day, just for kicks.
Sure you've got 'the car', but its your civic duty to be a good citizen of Kokomo, right? Take the bus. Get to know your new neighbors. It's paid for.
5. Adopt covenants now that forbid installation of street lights using overhead wiring.
5. Adopt covenants now that forbid installation of street lights using overhead wiring.
If you don't, overhead is what you'll end up with. The financial "plan" says so. Make sure it states that the wiring has to be underground, and the lamposts have to be designer. High quality stuff, like they used on Sycamore (where the mayor lives.)
6. Make Freedom of Information Act requests at City Hall. Potential topics include:
a. Everything relating to my neighborhood
b. All interoffice e-mail correspondence involving annexation, k-fuel, Fireman contract negotiations and layoffs, etc.
c. The financial statements for the last 2 years
6. Make Freedom of Information Act requests at City Hall. Potential topics include:
a. Everything relating to my neighborhood
b. All interoffice e-mail correspondence involving annexation, k-fuel, Fireman contract negotiations and layoffs, etc.
c. The financial statements for the last 2 years
d. All maintenance records for each park .
Better yet, make up your own. Just flood the office. As new citizens you need to be in the know, right? Tell them to get it all out. Demand they start implementing electronic document management and delivery for these requests if they don't have it.
7. Townships, go into debt for a 'parting gift' for each of your annexed property owners. Make it a really nice one.
7. Townships, go into debt for a 'parting gift' for each of your annexed property owners. Make it a really nice one.
The City of Kokomo of Kokomo is obligated to take on the debt of the townships. Make sure they fulfill that obligation. Personally, I am thinking a super-nice wall plaque with an engraved message to the property owner and the name of the township trustee. That would be a really classy way to part.
8. Don't miss a council meeting. Run when you are eligible. Work for the people when you get elected.
These folks like governing unchecked. Stick it to them.
Open Letter to Kokomo
Kokomo,
We, your neighbors, as people who work, dine, shop, worship and study in your city, believe you deserve better than what you have been presented by your current "leadership." Mayor Goodnight and the City Council have neglected to tackle the issues you elected them address. Instead, they choose to turn a blind eye to the issues affecting you the most, in favor of a large power and money grab in the form of an annexation of a large part of Howard County.
At the second reading of the proposed annexation ordinances, question after question was answered by the council with a common refrain: "We don't know that yet." This is indicative of a lack of planning and fact gathering before the ordinances were announced. It wasn't even until well after the plans were released that an outside firm was contracted to determine the financial impact that annexation would cause to the county and city taxpayers. Of course, this came after weeks of promises that residents should not be concerned because taxes would not increase and the proposal would be "revenue neutral" for the county. How could they make those promises then when the full financial impact is still unknown? In another misstep, the original plans regarding the areas to be annexed had to be changed because they did not meet the requirements set forth by state laws concerning annexation. Questions remain whether or not the amended plans even comply.
With the absence of any real planning, the first major initiative of the administration has been a disaster from its inception. By bringing an incomplete plan to the table, the administration has shortchanged the citizens of Kokomo. What makes this all even more appalling is that these local leaders are ignoring the existing problems that they campaigned on in order to pursue the annexation plan that they never mentioned when they were running for office. Be assured that this forced annexation plan will only compound your existing problems and add new ones that the city tax payers cannot afford. You've seen this pattern before, Kokomo. It happens all the time. The only planning that seems to have occurred is how to obscure the fact that the plan is incomplete and how to force the plan through the process in order to meet the deadline.
So, even with all of these unanswered questions, the ordinances live to see a third reading. With only one dissenting vote, your Council chose to turn a blind eye as the administration's plan moved one step closer to causing a still undetermined financial shock to city and county taxpayers. No matter what the administration and the city council claim the costs will be to city residents, (for infrastructure, police and fire service, trash removal, and other increases in city services) the real financial impact will not be known for years. You can be certain, every question that was answered with "We don't know yet" will have a dollar amount attached to it as the facts solidify. Kokomo politicians for years to come will propose tax increases on current and future residents to pay for the holes in the plan that cannot be explained now.
This is not idle speculation: the council made its intentions clear at the July 16th meeting. During a discussion of the recent state property tax reform bill, it was pointed out that the Indiana state legislature has recommended that the best strategy for municipalities under the new laws would be to reduce spending. Instead of embracing that advice, the council seems to be entrenched in the mindset of "raising more money." In a tell-tale sign of what is to come for Kokomo, the council discussed new ways of taxing people who choose to engage in commerce in Kokomo. This arrogant disregard for the principles of limited government and fiscal responsibility should frighten every citizen of Kokomo and Howard County alike. New taxes that punish those who contribute to the Kokomo economy will likely speed up the decline of the community which is already underway, due to a lack of leadership. As the manufacturing sector declines nationwide, we'll see the collapse of the local economy accelerated exponentially as these new taxes are levied. 'Commuter' taxes and 'Food and Beverage' taxes were mentioned as possibilities in Kokomo. Instead of working to create jobs for the new economy, city officials seem to have turned a blind eye to Kokomo's labor concerns with talks of "economy-killer" tax plans.
Kokomo, it is clear that your current city administration and council are unwilling to face the challenges presented by the local and state economic climate. Instead of looking for ways to become more efficient at solving the existing problems that they campaigned to solve, they have invested their time and effort into compounding those problems with an incomplete forced annexation plan.
Friends and neighbors, this is where it all begins: Leadership. Leadership does not occur putting forth a plan full of holes; It can't happen by voting in support of a plan that isn't finished. An opportunity existed at the second reading for the city council to exhibit real leadership by striking down the ordinances. Regrettably, your representatives (save one) chose to ignore that opportunity.
So, Kokomo, it appears the leadership in this case will have to come from the city's voters and taxpayers, laborers, small local businesses and large employers: Notify the mayor and council that Kokomo isn't interested in plans that are full of holes. Doing so will pay long-term dividends for residents. Rest assured, if these ordinances are passed, you can expect more half-baked plans for at least the next three and a half years. Your vocal rejection of the plan will serve your elected officials a notice of the elevated expectations you have for them. The taxpayers deserved to have all of the facts before the second reading to make their decision and let their voice be heard. Notify your council representatives and mayor that as a citizen, you aren't willing to accept incomplete plans and compounded problems. Notify them that you expect real leadership. Notify them you do not support the forced annexation plans.
Find out how to help.
We, your neighbors, as people who work, dine, shop, worship and study in your city, believe you deserve better than what you have been presented by your current "leadership." Mayor Goodnight and the City Council have neglected to tackle the issues you elected them address. Instead, they choose to turn a blind eye to the issues affecting you the most, in favor of a large power and money grab in the form of an annexation of a large part of Howard County.
At the second reading of the proposed annexation ordinances, question after question was answered by the council with a common refrain: "We don't know that yet." This is indicative of a lack of planning and fact gathering before the ordinances were announced. It wasn't even until well after the plans were released that an outside firm was contracted to determine the financial impact that annexation would cause to the county and city taxpayers. Of course, this came after weeks of promises that residents should not be concerned because taxes would not increase and the proposal would be "revenue neutral" for the county. How could they make those promises then when the full financial impact is still unknown? In another misstep, the original plans regarding the areas to be annexed had to be changed because they did not meet the requirements set forth by state laws concerning annexation. Questions remain whether or not the amended plans even comply.
With the absence of any real planning, the first major initiative of the administration has been a disaster from its inception. By bringing an incomplete plan to the table, the administration has shortchanged the citizens of Kokomo. What makes this all even more appalling is that these local leaders are ignoring the existing problems that they campaigned on in order to pursue the annexation plan that they never mentioned when they were running for office. Be assured that this forced annexation plan will only compound your existing problems and add new ones that the city tax payers cannot afford. You've seen this pattern before, Kokomo. It happens all the time. The only planning that seems to have occurred is how to obscure the fact that the plan is incomplete and how to force the plan through the process in order to meet the deadline.
So, even with all of these unanswered questions, the ordinances live to see a third reading. With only one dissenting vote, your Council chose to turn a blind eye as the administration's plan moved one step closer to causing a still undetermined financial shock to city and county taxpayers. No matter what the administration and the city council claim the costs will be to city residents, (for infrastructure, police and fire service, trash removal, and other increases in city services) the real financial impact will not be known for years. You can be certain, every question that was answered with "We don't know yet" will have a dollar amount attached to it as the facts solidify. Kokomo politicians for years to come will propose tax increases on current and future residents to pay for the holes in the plan that cannot be explained now.
This is not idle speculation: the council made its intentions clear at the July 16th meeting. During a discussion of the recent state property tax reform bill, it was pointed out that the Indiana state legislature has recommended that the best strategy for municipalities under the new laws would be to reduce spending. Instead of embracing that advice, the council seems to be entrenched in the mindset of "raising more money." In a tell-tale sign of what is to come for Kokomo, the council discussed new ways of taxing people who choose to engage in commerce in Kokomo. This arrogant disregard for the principles of limited government and fiscal responsibility should frighten every citizen of Kokomo and Howard County alike. New taxes that punish those who contribute to the Kokomo economy will likely speed up the decline of the community which is already underway, due to a lack of leadership. As the manufacturing sector declines nationwide, we'll see the collapse of the local economy accelerated exponentially as these new taxes are levied. 'Commuter' taxes and 'Food and Beverage' taxes were mentioned as possibilities in Kokomo. Instead of working to create jobs for the new economy, city officials seem to have turned a blind eye to Kokomo's labor concerns with talks of "economy-killer" tax plans.
Kokomo, it is clear that your current city administration and council are unwilling to face the challenges presented by the local and state economic climate. Instead of looking for ways to become more efficient at solving the existing problems that they campaigned to solve, they have invested their time and effort into compounding those problems with an incomplete forced annexation plan.
Friends and neighbors, this is where it all begins: Leadership. Leadership does not occur putting forth a plan full of holes; It can't happen by voting in support of a plan that isn't finished. An opportunity existed at the second reading for the city council to exhibit real leadership by striking down the ordinances. Regrettably, your representatives (save one) chose to ignore that opportunity.
So, Kokomo, it appears the leadership in this case will have to come from the city's voters and taxpayers, laborers, small local businesses and large employers: Notify the mayor and council that Kokomo isn't interested in plans that are full of holes. Doing so will pay long-term dividends for residents. Rest assured, if these ordinances are passed, you can expect more half-baked plans for at least the next three and a half years. Your vocal rejection of the plan will serve your elected officials a notice of the elevated expectations you have for them. The taxpayers deserved to have all of the facts before the second reading to make their decision and let their voice be heard. Notify your council representatives and mayor that as a citizen, you aren't willing to accept incomplete plans and compounded problems. Notify them that you expect real leadership. Notify them you do not support the forced annexation plans.
Find out how to help.
Random Thoughts on Annexation
One of my favorite opinion writers is Thomas Sowell, who once every month or two publishes a list of 'random thoughts.' Below are mine related to Kokomo's proposed annexation non-plans:
It’s too bad that Kokomo’s citizens are being thrown into this mess along with those being annexed. Though the administration promises the contrary, if the annexation ordinances pass, city folks (current and annexed) will eventually be paying higher city and county taxes. This will be the result of some council member’s willingness to vote for a plan full of holes. Without the financial impact figures, no real guarantees can be made.
The one percent cap on residential property taxes isn’t permanent. Unscrupulous state politicians will soon be looking to remove their self-imposed limit on raising revenue to fund their pet projects. For those annexed, the loss of freedoms and the eventual and perpetual tax hikes as Kokomo citizens will be permanent.
If Kokomo’s elected officials cannot convince people who live three minutes away to agree to join the city, how do they hope to ever attract people from outside the area? Recommendation: Exhibit better leadership than you have shown thus far. A good start would be to strike down those annexation ordinances based on incomplete plans.
How many of their buddies will they need to hire if this thing passes?
If the administration and council was serious about their Economic Development plans outlined during the campaign season, they would focus on bringing business to the area, not acquiring new citizens through annexation. If the city succeeds in bringing new employers, the businesses will take care of bringing the jobs and people to the city. Government’s role is to set the stage for growth, not force it to occur.
How can city officials hope to put Kokomo in a financial situation to partner with new business in order to generate jobs for the future if they will already be committed to providing new infrastructure and services to new residents “acquired” through annexation? Only by raising taxes on all of us.
Imagine the impact to the city budget to provide infrastructure and services to the new residents; ...No, really, you have to imagine it… the incomplete plan put forth by the city administration is missing those numbers.
Getting the financial impact figures to the public should have happened before the 1st reading. There is absolutely no excuse for not having the information at the second reading. Now, we are less than a month away from the third reading of two ordinances that will shape the future of Kokomo and Howard County for decades, and the public still has no numbers. The council should strike down the ordinances. The public should have the time allotted by the three reading process to digest the information and make their voice heard. This is especially true with a plan that has as much down-side potential as this annexation. Rushing the plan through to beat the census is a disservice to the community.
Aside from what some would have you believe, county folks already contribute to the Kokomo budget simply by spending money in the city. The businesses we frequent pay a capped limit of 3% assessed value in property tax (that is, three times the amount that citizens pay.) In return, the administration provides city streets and other infrastructure to get us county folk in the doors of Kokomo establishments. Those taxes are passed to us, just like you, in the price of goods. The sales of these goods and services create jobs and income tax revenue. Thus, the city already has mechanisms in place to offset the ‘negative impact’ of us so called ‘freeloaders.’
And finally, since council members brought it up in the context of annexation discussions, so will I:
Why is the Kokomo City Council talking about new taxes like ‘food and beverage’ or ‘commuter’ taxes at its meetings if the annexation will make things better? Fact: City and county residents alike enjoy a meal from the local restaurants. Fact: Some of your elected officials have expressed a desire to profit on that. Prediction: If these types of levies occur, ‘Mom and Pop’ will go under first. This will make room for a new Dunkin Donuts or perhaps a new chain pharmacy store to be built right across the street from your local chain pharmacy store. Somehow, that’s supposed to be economic development.
Find out how to help.
It’s too bad that Kokomo’s citizens are being thrown into this mess along with those being annexed. Though the administration promises the contrary, if the annexation ordinances pass, city folks (current and annexed) will eventually be paying higher city and county taxes. This will be the result of some council member’s willingness to vote for a plan full of holes. Without the financial impact figures, no real guarantees can be made.
The one percent cap on residential property taxes isn’t permanent. Unscrupulous state politicians will soon be looking to remove their self-imposed limit on raising revenue to fund their pet projects. For those annexed, the loss of freedoms and the eventual and perpetual tax hikes as Kokomo citizens will be permanent.
If Kokomo’s elected officials cannot convince people who live three minutes away to agree to join the city, how do they hope to ever attract people from outside the area? Recommendation: Exhibit better leadership than you have shown thus far. A good start would be to strike down those annexation ordinances based on incomplete plans.
How many of their buddies will they need to hire if this thing passes?
If the administration and council was serious about their Economic Development plans outlined during the campaign season, they would focus on bringing business to the area, not acquiring new citizens through annexation. If the city succeeds in bringing new employers, the businesses will take care of bringing the jobs and people to the city. Government’s role is to set the stage for growth, not force it to occur.
How can city officials hope to put Kokomo in a financial situation to partner with new business in order to generate jobs for the future if they will already be committed to providing new infrastructure and services to new residents “acquired” through annexation? Only by raising taxes on all of us.
Imagine the impact to the city budget to provide infrastructure and services to the new residents; ...No, really, you have to imagine it… the incomplete plan put forth by the city administration is missing those numbers.
Getting the financial impact figures to the public should have happened before the 1st reading. There is absolutely no excuse for not having the information at the second reading. Now, we are less than a month away from the third reading of two ordinances that will shape the future of Kokomo and Howard County for decades, and the public still has no numbers. The council should strike down the ordinances. The public should have the time allotted by the three reading process to digest the information and make their voice heard. This is especially true with a plan that has as much down-side potential as this annexation. Rushing the plan through to beat the census is a disservice to the community.
Aside from what some would have you believe, county folks already contribute to the Kokomo budget simply by spending money in the city. The businesses we frequent pay a capped limit of 3% assessed value in property tax (that is, three times the amount that citizens pay.) In return, the administration provides city streets and other infrastructure to get us county folk in the doors of Kokomo establishments. Those taxes are passed to us, just like you, in the price of goods. The sales of these goods and services create jobs and income tax revenue. Thus, the city already has mechanisms in place to offset the ‘negative impact’ of us so called ‘freeloaders.’
And finally, since council members brought it up in the context of annexation discussions, so will I:
Why is the Kokomo City Council talking about new taxes like ‘food and beverage’ or ‘commuter’ taxes at its meetings if the annexation will make things better? Fact: City and county residents alike enjoy a meal from the local restaurants. Fact: Some of your elected officials have expressed a desire to profit on that. Prediction: If these types of levies occur, ‘Mom and Pop’ will go under first. This will make room for a new Dunkin Donuts or perhaps a new chain pharmacy store to be built right across the street from your local chain pharmacy store. Somehow, that’s supposed to be economic development.
Find out how to help.
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