Comments on: Council Candidates on Const. Offices http://hburgnews.com/2008/10/17/council-candidates-on-const-offices/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=council-candidates-on-const-offices Harrisonburg's Community News Network Sat, 03 Dec 2011 18:10:47 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Bill Ney http://hburgnews.com/2008/10/17/council-candidates-on-const-offices/comment-page-1/#comment-53660 Bill Ney Sun, 19 Oct 2008 12:39:12 +0000 http://hburgnews.com/?p=1690#comment-53660 It is appropriate for the City Council to take up this proposal, if the citizens petition them to do so. But I hope the citizens would know what they are asking for. These Constitutional Offices were established to offer the communities a system of "Checks & Balances" The Commissioner of Revenue sets the tax appraisal value of property. The City Council sets the tax rate and the City Treasurer collects all fees. With the elimination of these offices, one person would be responsible for all these activities. The only oversight would be from the City Manager and the City Council. With the current system we have three separate offices, all elected by the citizens, providing their services. The Financial Officer of Harrisonburg could be replaced after each City Council election if three council members make that decision. The final and main reason not to consider this proposal is that the State of Virginia pays over 80% of the salaries of the Treasurer and Commissioner of Revenue and their staffs. That sum would cost Harrisonburg about $400,000.00 per year. It is appropriate for the City Council to take up this proposal, if the citizens petition them to do so. But I hope the citizens would know what they are asking for. These Constitutional Offices were established to offer the communities a system of “Checks & Balances” The Commissioner of Revenue sets the tax appraisal value of property. The City Council sets the tax rate and the City Treasurer collects all fees.

With the elimination of these offices, one person would be responsible for all these activities. The only oversight would be from the City Manager and the City Council. With the current system we have three separate offices, all elected by the citizens, providing their services. The Financial Officer of Harrisonburg could be replaced after each City Council election if three council members make that decision.

The final and main reason not to consider this proposal is that the State of Virginia pays over 80% of the salaries of the Treasurer and Commissioner of Revenue and their staffs. That sum would cost Harrisonburg about $400,000.00 per year.

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]]> By: finnegan http://hburgnews.com/2008/10/17/council-candidates-on-const-offices/comment-page-1/#comment-53429 finnegan Fri, 17 Oct 2008 13:39:19 +0000 http://hburgnews.com/?p=1690#comment-53429 Added Tracy Evans's response. Added Tracy Evans’s response.

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]]> By: finnegan http://hburgnews.com/2008/10/17/council-candidates-on-const-offices/comment-page-1/#comment-53424 finnegan Fri, 17 Oct 2008 12:54:39 +0000 http://hburgnews.com/?p=1690#comment-53424 In case you're wondering what a Constitutional office is, they are the elected positions in Harrisonburg not under the authority of City Council. There are a <a href="http://www.dnronline.com/details.php?AID=30318&CHID=1" rel="nofollow">couple</a> of <a href="http://www.dnronline.com/details.php?AID=30319&CHID=1" rel="nofollow">DNR articles</a> that might fill in a little background to the question. In case you’re wondering what a Constitutional office is, they are the elected positions in Harrisonburg not under the authority of City Council. There are a couple of DNR articles that might fill in a little background to the question.

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