Bold move, George.
GRAND RAPIDS -- Mayor George Heartwell was to use today's "State of the City" speech to call for an increase in city taxes.
Unless the state government restores revenue-sharing funds it cut in recent years, Heartwell said the city needs to look at a tax increase or face more drastic cuts in police, fire and recreational services.
The city has cut $64 million in spending in the past four years and will have to cut another $80 million in the next five years, Heartwell said. The next city budget will require cuts of about $8.5 million, he said.
"Everyone who loves this city has been saddened to see the quality of municipal services decline," Heartwell planned to tell audience members this morning during a breakfast speech at DeVos Place.
"I will not stand by and watch our city decline for want of investment in public services and infrastructure."
Although Heartwell has floated trial balloons in recent months suggesting he might support a tax increase, today's speech was to be his strongest call yet for raising taxes.
Quality of life, people. It's important.