Citizens can weigh in on tax increase

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Tuesday, September 11, the City of Mobile will hold a public hearing to consider the adoption of Mayor Sam Jones’ proposed budget, which includes the proposal for the revival of a one percent sales tax increase.

The budget has been a hot topic this year as some city officials said Mobile could be facing a $29 million deficit.

The one percent sales tax was recently voted down by the city council and some council members believe it will be rejected again.

Council member John Williams said a “no” vote will leave the council with an estimated $29 million dollar shortfall in the budget.

He said it’s not likely the public will be able to change council members’ stance on the tax increase, but he said at the public hearing, he and other council members want to hear your opinion about cuts that should be made and programs that need to be kept. 

“There will probably be concerns about whether they will get their funding continued or whether it will be cut. Whether insurance premiums will go up or not; so I'm sure we will be hearing some of those things,” said council woman Gina Gregory.  

Gregory said with Airbus in the picture, the city needs to find a way to fund some new projects.

“That's something we as a council have to discuss and determine if we can afford to provide those incentives and infrastructure work for Airbus and the suppliers without any additional revenue,” Gregory said.

The financial committee is scheduled to meet at 2 p.m. Tuesday after the tax increase vote and public hearing. Council members said the meeting will give them time to work through the budget before voting on it.

Gregory said the council would like to have a final budget by the start of the 2012-2013 fiscal year which begins October 1.

“It’s going to take a couple of weeks, but I know we’re going to reach some sort of consensus that's going to be $30 million short of what the mayor hoped to spend with tax dollars this year,” Williams said.

City officials said Mayor Jones will not be at the city council meeting or public hearing Tuesday. They said he is in Washington D.C. meeting with federal leaders about economic developments for the city.