Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Tonight the Gainesville City Commission will vote on whether to pass a fire fee for buildings which would help gain revenue for the city which is already facing major budget cuts. But Former City Commissioner Ed Braddy gets heated up, saying he doesn't think the fire fee should be established.
Braddy says this is the time when citizens will be able to voice their concerns against the fee. He only hopes their cries will not fall on deaf ears. Moreover, he says the city shouldn't take advantage of the money made by non-profit organizations and religious groups.
The former commissioner says the best way to address the cuts is to set priorities straight and to not pump so much money into areas that do not require it. He says the city is spending unnecessarily for some services, and could actually avoid the fire assessment fee.
Braddy says perhaps the city actually has enough money and does not need to rely on such a fee.
Although Braddy is against the fee, he says he's going to leave it up to the commissioners and citizens to decide.
The proposed fee is currently set at $30 for houses and apartments, and by square footage for businesses and institutions. The commission will vote on the fee tonight.