Question 6 for Saline City Council Candidates: Would You Consider a Tax Increase?

Would you consider floating a tax to fund city operations at current levels?
Why or why not?

Jim Peters

Only if health and safety were to be affected.

Jim Roth

I would try to avoid a tax increase to fund city operations at current levels. The total amount of taxes imposed on the property owners are increasing as the state and county are restructuring their tax revenues assessed on the tax payers.

John Heller

Yes. If the cuts in non-essential items such as the Celtic Festival, political junkets, and others are insufficient to maintain the current level of services, then I favor consideration of a tax increase.

Linda TerHaar

Yes. I believe the city has a responsibility to keep all options open for consideration, if its sources of revenue are greatly reduced and its ability to provide services is in danger. However, I would consider this option only as one part of a total effort including seeking ways to streamline operations even more, to reduce the costs of providing services, and to find other revenue sources.