Sylva has been visioning up a lovely streetscape, and now, presto-change-o, taxes must go up. Saith the Sylva Herald:

It’s uncertain whether new board members’ arguments that paying the local tax levy is a privilege and honor will resonate with Sylva residents when a higher rate kicks in.

The numbers remain fluid. Early estimates indicate that town residents are facing an 8-cent rate increase or more in fiscal year 2016-17.

Leaders advise the eight-cent increase will go strictly toward mandatory services, but they’re not playing the normal shell game in which suspension of disbelief makes government money infungible. Paying for the niceties will require an even greater increase.