For those interested, here’s where you can find the proposed budget online: Mount Vernon’s 2024 Proposed Budget.
Mark your calendars: a public discussion on this matter is scheduled for next Monday, 11/20, at 7 pm in the City Council chambers. There’s also a second meet-up on 12/6 at the same time, though the venue is yet to be confirmed. And importantly, on 11/27 at 7 pm, there’s a formal public hearing in the City Council Chambers where we can voice our opinions.
Here’s my take on this: The process for annual budget proposals, as laid out in the Mount Vernon City Charter / Code § 81 (c), seems to be consistently ignored. The rules dictate a public hearing announcement with a summary of the estimate by October 25, and the hearing should occur by November 19 at the latest. So, why are these procedures regularly ignored?
After grappling with significant tax increases in 2022 and 2023, and a clever rebranding of garbage and sewer taxes as ‘fees’, we, the residents of Mount Vernon, are now staring at a daunting 23% property tax increase over three years. This trajectory feels both irresponsible and unsustainable.
What’s more, the City’s exploration of a tax amnesty for property owners with back taxes conflicts with these tax increases. It’s hard to see how homeowners struggling with arrears will cope with these additional financial burdens.
And let’s talk about where this money is going. For instance, the Building Department’s budget skyrocketed from $1M in 2019 to $1.98M in 2024. Yet, from what I’ve experienced and heard, their service hasn’t improved. Even Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard has acknowledged problems in the department, calling for a state review.
So, what’s really going on at City Hall? Throwing more money at these problems doesn’t seem to be the solution, especially without addressing the underlying management failures.
Come to the public hearings – our voices need to be heard!
