The local daily has provided a nice overview of the City of Asheville’s budget. That is, it provides more detail than city staff is likely to present. In defense of those interviewed, I think it would be difficult to sound intelligent justifying a 14% budget increase in a sound bite. I commend outgoing Councilman Chris Pelly for saying the increase is not needed.
Another council member said the city has to invest to grow, just like a business. I understand financing, as a general rule, becomes more expensive when more people are served – but government is not supposed to be a business. Surely you’ve heard that in North Carolina businesses exist solely to be profitable. Government provides services, but I don’t know about any dividends, and I don’t want to. People will always complain about taxes, but maybe folks in government should remember whence they came and stop using government as a means to demand people do without in order to build things government wants.
I know, I know. There is no reason to do without anymore because there is a government program to provide.
