Canton is in deep, deep red doo-doo.
It is running a $3 to 4 million deficit.
Officials and employees are taking furloughs, safety forces are being pared down, retiring and resigning workers are not being replaced, and on and on goes the list of cuts being made in city services to the citizens of Canton.
But there is money to be had?
Really?
Yes, really.
Last week the SCPR made a call to Canton's Income Tax Department and talked with Audit Supervisor Mike McEnaney.
His department is part of the cuts being made. The department has faded over time from 13 employees to 6. One has to wonder why, because his troops are the ones who go out and beat the bushes to bring in delinquent taxpayers.
Here is McEnaney's email to the SCPR which outlines the numbers:
Hmm?
$2,082,811.00?
$3 to 4 million deficit!
Hmm?
I have often wondered how much better shape the schools would be in if all the delinquenst real estate taxes were collected. There are city lots delinquent over 40 grand! There was that article in the rep about Go Invest Wisely. Look at the tax records for those properties once, not that GIW is the only owner of record that is not paying taxes.
ReplyDeleteThe answer, I would contend to politicians, is not to raise taxes on those who pay, but to actually collect the tax monies that are not being paid. So you got it right Martin, why is half the staff gone that could be out collecting this money????