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corrente tries delusional new angle "tell me a good idea today so I can pretend it is mine tomorrow right here where my campaign is, in the beacon reader comments section..."

with that out of the way, raven, actually it is hard to dispute the percentage of our city budget that is going into pensions and lifetime medical insurance benefits for former, retired employees. and if we are above san jose, and they are the highest in california, then we have only one realistic option, raise taxes.

avedisian did manage to get new hires to expect only single blue cross for life when they retire instead of family. I am not sure if there were any other benefit adjustments and if the cost curve will eventually start to come down, but 28% is a lot.

and we cant "go into bankruptcy" because we have too much available tax revenue. and those benefits were contractually promised. so the ONLY option is to skimp on where you can then raise taxes to meet the obligations all the way around.

(current and near-future) spending cant really be cut, taxes cant really be cut.

warwick will simply have to find efficiencies where it can (and there is some opportunity there), and then adjust the tax rate as needed to cover the required costs. those who dont like it will sell their property and leave for lower tax towns.

as to how high tax rates can go, just look at some communities in new jersey. by the way, MOST communities spend 2/3 on the schools. I wonder why we have an odd approx 50/50 ratio. And it's not all the FF shift swapping fault either! but it might indicate some efficiencies available to be found. maybe RIPEC can help with that.

http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2018/03/nj_towns_with_the_highest_property_tax_bills_2017.html