Johnston mayor proposes 4.9 percent tax increase
1:17 PM Wed, Jun 17, 2009 | Permalink
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JOHNSTON -- Citing steep cuts in state aid and other lost revenue, Mayor Joseph M. Polisena has proposed a 4.9 percent tax hike for the fiscal year that starts July 1. The $2.9 million in extra tax revenue would help the town absorb a $3.5 million loss in state economic aid as well as a $900,000 reduction in revenue from motor-vehicle taxes, Polisena said Wednesday. The tax rate would increase from $18.91 per $1000 of assessed property value to $19.84. Despite the increased tax revenue, the town's overall spending would decrease from about $94 million to $91.7 million. The town would continue to operate with fewer employees and officials have secured $415,000 in concessions from unions representing municipal workers, public works employees, various town hall and library employees and police officers, according to Polisena. "We shrunk our budget," Polisena said, "but unfortunately the General Assembly has chosen to further cut the cities and towns." "I can't get $3.5 million in concessions from the unions," he added. "The state budget is forcing all the cities and towns to increase their taxes," Polisena said. "They're passing their bad budget onto all of us." The mayor's proposal awaits action from the Town Council. A hearing has been scheduled for June 29, the mayor said. 
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How about the mayor get rid of some of the town hall employees??? every time i have to go in most of the employees are nasty anyway and sit around and talk while they make you wait! we have to wait now so get rid of them :)
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Maybe the town will buy my house for what they value it at.
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WHY NOT - WE HAVE TO PAY THE TEACHERS $70K PLUS A YEAR - THE FIREMEN $100K AND THE POLICEMEN $70K - NOT TO MENTION THE JOHNSTON TOWN HALL PERSONNEL THAT DO ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!! I THINK THE TOWN OF JOHNSTON NEEDS A BIG LAYOFF - THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE ON THE TOWN CAN NO LONGER AFFORD THE TAXES - WE DO NOT LIVE IN NEWPORT!!!!!
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I'd love for you to identify how many and which particular Johnston firefighters are making $100k. my guess is it's less than 4, and only then because of overtime caused by not hiring replacements for retirees.
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Along time ago the town created an annual longevity bonus for the town workers (no management) to keep them on the job due to low wages. Now all town workers and management get the bonus and it has grown to 10% a year above and beyond their yearly pay! Now if they are fired or layedoff they sue to retain their jobs. So why are we giving them a lonvevity bonus to keep them on the job? This has to be costing the tax payer at least 6 million a year.
That is more than the required tax increase.
This bonus is a gift and is not required. The mayor is not doing his job. He was a town worker
and always favors their position.
Come on mayor do you job. Represent the tax payer, eliminated the bonus. It is not fair to the unknowing tax payer
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Before raising taxes lets look at the town municipal services. We dont need 4 fire stations in the town of Johnston, especially within so close proximity of each other. The fire Dept is killing this town and 80% dont even live in this town, so they dont care if our taxes go threw the roof. They dont care how much they soak this town. But the mayor wont touch the fire dept because he is an ex-fireman himself.
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