By Grayson Vandegrift
Mayor, City of Midway
Upon hearing of our proposed 25 percent sewer rate cut, a citizen asked a great question that’s important to answer. They said, “Why not keep sewer rates the same and use that money for infrastructure?” My answer is pretty simple: because we can do both. Governments too often use taxes as a way to cover for their inefficiency and waste. If a business did this, they’d have no customers left. That’s not to say that government should run like a business, but it can use a lot of the same principles to achieve what’s best for our citizens.
My No. 1 objective in my second term is infrastructure, and we already have a plan in the works to camera and clean out all of the old sewer lines in town, which will give us invaluable information and make those lines more functional immediately. From there, we’ll continue to use the large general fund surpluses we’ve accumulated (and which are projected to grow) to decide what sewer project we should do next. Our sewer fund is as healthy as it’s been in years, so why not make the present more comfortable while we plan for the future. After all, isn’t that the goal of government?
On top of that, we’re about to re-launch our sidewalk program on a larger scale than our pilot program a couple years ago, and we’re planning more road paving in the spring. We just finished extensive storm sewer work that has already shown improvement in heavy rains, and we plan more down the road.
Taxing shouldn’t be a Democrat vs. Republican issue. A government should never tax citizens more than it needs to. It is no longer necessary for our citizens to pay exorbitant sewer fees; we can ease that burden somewhat and still improve our infrastructure for the future.
Make no mistake, my plan is harder on the government. We’ll have to work harder, plan smarter, and continue to be efficient and mindful. But that’s our job -- to work harder every day to make the lives of our residents better.
I want to thank that good citizen for their thoughtful question and reflection of the issues. It’s that kind of citizenry that makes our city so special.
Mayor, City of Midway
Upon hearing of our proposed 25 percent sewer rate cut, a citizen asked a great question that’s important to answer. They said, “Why not keep sewer rates the same and use that money for infrastructure?” My answer is pretty simple: because we can do both. Governments too often use taxes as a way to cover for their inefficiency and waste. If a business did this, they’d have no customers left. That’s not to say that government should run like a business, but it can use a lot of the same principles to achieve what’s best for our citizens.
My No. 1 objective in my second term is infrastructure, and we already have a plan in the works to camera and clean out all of the old sewer lines in town, which will give us invaluable information and make those lines more functional immediately. From there, we’ll continue to use the large general fund surpluses we’ve accumulated (and which are projected to grow) to decide what sewer project we should do next. Our sewer fund is as healthy as it’s been in years, so why not make the present more comfortable while we plan for the future. After all, isn’t that the goal of government?
On top of that, we’re about to re-launch our sidewalk program on a larger scale than our pilot program a couple years ago, and we’re planning more road paving in the spring. We just finished extensive storm sewer work that has already shown improvement in heavy rains, and we plan more down the road.
Taxing shouldn’t be a Democrat vs. Republican issue. A government should never tax citizens more than it needs to. It is no longer necessary for our citizens to pay exorbitant sewer fees; we can ease that burden somewhat and still improve our infrastructure for the future.
Make no mistake, my plan is harder on the government. We’ll have to work harder, plan smarter, and continue to be efficient and mindful. But that’s our job -- to work harder every day to make the lives of our residents better.
I want to thank that good citizen for their thoughtful question and reflection of the issues. It’s that kind of citizenry that makes our city so special.
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