Anyone who has seriously made a budget, balancing income and outgo, surely is aware of the difficulties. Making personal, business, city, county or national government budgets can be very challenging.
Consider the current job of Chattanooga officials.
Mayor Ron Littlefield has proposed a budget that would require a property tax increase of 64 cents, from the current $1.94 to $2.58 per $100 of assessed property value.
City Councilwoman Deborah Scott has offered an alternative budget plan, calling for no tax increase.
Ultimately, the budget that is adopted and the tax rate required will reflect some items that must be financed and some that can be left out. Some services are essential. Some are desirable. Some are optional. Some are objectionable.
Our city officials have the tough job deciding, in an economic crisis, “which are which” — and convincing “us,” the taxpayers.