An open letter to the Morrisville Board of Commissioners (dated June 10) regarding unconscionable tax increase:

Not every Morrisville resident is in as good a financial situation that you and some of us may be. Although you personally may not be experiencing it, our economy is in major economic recession. Gasoline, food and the cost of health insurance have reached historically high levels. New employment opportunities are scarce; current job security is weak. Despite the recent unrealistic revaluations by Wake County, home values are lowering. “For Sale” signs on properties are abundant. Many seeking to remain in their homes will face considerable difficulty paying the taxes on it. In all, a considerable number of your constituents are being forced to drastically limit essential purchases and curtail family activities. Retail sales are at record lows.

What are you planning to do to assist citizens in this current economic climate? It’s unconscionable, but the board will raise Morrisville’s property taxes 19 percent above “revenue neutral.” More than any other municipal government in the area.

You can’t seriously state that purchasing property for no immediate use or establishing television broadcasts of your board meetings are “essential.” And who else is currently getting a 4.4 percent “across-the-board” cost-of-living salary increase in addition to 4 percent average merit increase? If any salary increase at all, most citizens are lucky to get a 1 to 2 percent total annual raise. We have excellent response and service with the existing Fire Station No 1. I am certain it can continue without any curtailment of service for another few years. Also, didn’t we already have a bond issue for a new fire station a few years ago? To respond with the argument that “we set the tax rate higher now so we don’t have to raise it later” is unconscionable.

As you know, Morrisville property mix is approximately 57 percent residential and 43 percent commercial, and compared to Cary’s 74 percent/26 percent distribution (residential/commercial). Morrisville taxes for the same property, and for all practical purposes, the same services will be 33 percent higher than Cary. Yet we are told we need more commercial and mixed-use development to increase town revenue.

Without public hearings, the 44 cents per $100 tax rate (19 percent above the revenue neutral rate) was first discussed at the January board retreat and approved as part of the 2008-2009 Long Range Financial Plan at the April 22 board meeting. At this point, the rate was basically “set in concrete.” For the actual budget approval, one public hearing was held at the May 27 board meeting. While the public hearing for other items (district-at-large voting) will be continued at the June 24 business meeting, it has been cut off for the budget. Public notice of the tax increase has been kept “under the radar.”

While the town may have met the minimum legal requirements of public notice, it is questioned whether it fulfilled the spirit of good government. There was no mention of the new budget, tax increase or public hearing in the one town publication that all residents receive and most read — the Morrisville Connection. The majority of residents will only become of aware of the increase when they receive their tax bills.

You were elected to represent your constituents, the residents of Morrisville. Your major responsibly is to be an advocate for the citizens. Approving this tax increase for Morrisville voters is unconscionable.

(Editor’s note: A special budget presentation has been scheduled for Wednesday, June 18, at 7 p.m. Also see Morrisville resident Michael Roberts’ column “Morrisville Tax Fears Flamed” online.)