Taxpayers are not ATMs

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Editor’s note: This letter is written in response to Janet Hart Leonard’s column published in the Monday, Oct. 5 edition of The Reporter.

Dear Editor:

Stop guilting taxpayers into making a false moral choice! There is an assumption circulating that ‘no’ voters do not appreciate value or return on investment. It is reasonable to expect transparency, accountability, fiscal responsibility, and an improvement in student outcomes! Schools are trusted stewards of public funds, and expectations are high.

Over the past five to six years school spending has risen well above the current inflationary rate. How can you justify building 20 percent of your budget on funding that may never materialize? And to make matters worse, only a fraction of the 2018 Referendum funds went to safety and security. Taxpayers were misled. They should submit a line-item budget and let voters determine spending priorities!

Administrative pay packages are excessive. There are too many hands in the pot along with too many competing priorities for available dollars. No wonder teacher compensation falls short. Also, do not underestimate the impact of the mayor’s overuse of TIF Projects and how that might impact funding. He would have taxpayers believe it is “free money” while it is quite the opposite!

We do not need any more new football stadiums or tennis courts let alone an ‘N’ in the middle of a roundabout. Why did we need a new high school extension when enrollment is down – the answer is more complex than to hinge it on changes to the School Voucher Program. Do not mistake a ‘no’ vote for a lack of understanding. We understand infrastructure dollars come from a separate funding stream.

Our taxes have continued to rise over the past five to six years. Enough is enough! We also have budgets to balance and bills to pay. That is our collective reality! Where do taxpayers go to ask for extra dollars when we have a short fall? What about Seniors living on a fixed income? They cannot ask SSA for increases in their COLA or monthly benefit. Many families need those dollars for their own budgets, not higher taxes. Landlords are signaling they will push the added costs to renters.

We attended the superintendent’s talk, and it was both unimpressive and poorly prepared. We do not trust that spending will be on the low side of the Referendum. Our home has and continues to do research and math. It will cost us another $950/year. Of course they are framing the Referendum on the low side. They are becoming afraid and want it to pass.

You state that misinformation is circulating. That very well could be true. You cannot cry ‘misinformation’ just because your version of the facts does not necessarily pass the smell test.

We have voted yes in the past. This time around our home will vote no. Something must change before our home says yes in the future.

Desiree Moody
Noblesville