As due dates for income tax filings quickly approach, it is important for High Point citizens to know how their tax dollars are spent.
Feb. 11, 2011
By Andrew Faust
HIGH POINT, N.C. - For Louanne Hedrick, Budget and Evaluation Committee officer for the City of High Point, working with local tax dollars is one of the most important parts of her job.
Hedrick, who has worked for the city for over 35 years, has seen the impact that taxes have on the community as well as the many benefits that come from tax-funded services.
Local governments rely heavily upon tax funding for many services and resources that are used by its citizens including public-safety services, parks and recreation facilities, public libraries, street resurfacing as well as many others.
“Public safety is the most important service provided by taxes,” said Hedrick. “It’s really something that every citizen can relate to.”
Hedrick explained that two of the most notable resources funded by taxes are the local fire and police departments. These departments are widely utilized by citizens and receive the largest amount of tax funding from the city.
How are taxes spent locally?
With over $100,000,000 in tax funds, High Point citizens’ taxes are used to pay for an abundance of resources.
Just as the city’s budget was significantly cut, tax funding has also decreased causing resources and services to undergo stricter evaluation.
Tax-funded spending, which is based on a competitive system that compares the necessity of each possible expense, provides funding for the services that the city deems most important.
Often times, according to Hedrick, projects do not receive funding because of the importance of funding necessary services, such as services related to public safety.
Although all projects do not receive immediate funding, many expenses are put on a waiting list until the city can afford to pay for them.
“In our budget we have a capital improvement plan, which includes many tax-funded projects,” says Hedrick. “This year we weren’t able to fund any of these projects, but next year we are planning to start road resurfacing, which has not occurred in two years.”
Hedrick said that notable spending within the past five years can be seen in the three new fire departments and two new recreation centers, among many other things, which were payed for entirely by citizen tax dollars.
Citizen’s view
With the many tax-funded resources available in High Point, citizens are able to utilize the benefits of their tax spending.
“Much of our tax dollars are spent in important ways that indirectly affect each of us on a daily basis,” said High Point citizen Deena Qubein. “I’m very grateful for the excellent police force, emergency rescue teams, and road crews we have in High Point.”
Qubein, who works and lives in High Point, said that in addition to the many valuable resources funded by taxes, she is hoping for several new projects to be funded also.
“In the future, I’d like to see funding for the revitalization of Main Street,” said Qubein. “The city of High Point doesn’t have control of Main Street yet since it is a state road currently, but in the near future, the city will be able to make a considerable difference. High Point has a lot of potential in both the UpTowne and downtown districts”
Qubein also said that she believes that it would be beneficial proactively seek new businesses and offer tax-funded incentives to promote business growth in the city.
The sidebars were as informative as your story. Great job on those. However, taxes is a naturally dry topic. How could you have made it a little bit more colorful?
ReplyDeleteI like the way you made all of the information visually pleasing on this site. The only minor thing you could change is give your photo a caption. Great job bro!
ReplyDelete