Well, they are at it again. First, we hear that City Council is proposing an increase in our property tax by 11%. Before the ink dried on this proposal, along comes a 5% water and sewer increase proposal. The water and sewer increase is to upgrade the water and sewer system. The 11% property tax is for police cars and other equipment.

Look at the list of City Council million–dollar failures in recent years:

1) Air South

2) Convention Center Hotel

3) CCI property development

4) the illegal giving of grants to the city’s private colleges

5) the paying of invoices two and three times to contractors

6) sponsoring a failed music festival

7) depleting the reserve fund.

With proper management, none of these tax/fee increases would be necessary. Gross city mismanagement has resulted in unprecedented financial stress on the citizens of Columbia. Somebody save us!

E.D.Seegars