Minutes 05/12/2020 - Laserfiche WebLink

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May 12, 2020 5) As the article reads, this is shameful. Pure shameful. At a time when most Americans aren't working and struggling to make ends meet, you decide this is the best time to raise taxes. This saddens me to no end to think educated members that Portsmouth residents voted into office are looking to make a horrible decision like this. Here's a suggestions, if you want to raise revenue, how about each of you take a 20% pay cut until Virginians gets back on their feet. I guess you're reading from the political playbook of, "Never let a good crisis go to waste." This is nothing but politics and you can do better than this. Portsmouth residences deserve better than what you are doing and raising our taxes during a time like this is shameful. I hope you take the time and reflect on what you're proposing. Portsmouth already pays some of the highest taxes in the "757" and we're not getting what we're paying for. You can do better than this. Nate Tony 4140 Bishops Place, Portsmouth, VA 23203 6) How can you possibly propose a tax increase on a city already reeling from poverty, no tax base, strapping tolls, and a pandemic? You cannot keep penalizing the few taxpayers we have left. It is ludicrous that the poorest city in Hampton Roads has the highest taxes. Instead of continually worsening the tax situation for those of us who work and pay. How about addressing the issue at hand? We have no tax base. Churches don’t pay taxes and we’re overwhelmed with govt subsidized section 8 properties. Reduce taxes, provide incentives for businesses to open in Portsmouth and reduce the bureaucracy that prohibits many businesses from even attempting to open in Portsmouth. I understand it is a ridiculous process. This city can’t survive on non profit storefront businesses that simply provide a front for its owners to avoid taxes. Focus on the taxpayers and not those with their hands out and Portsmouth will emerge a stronger city. The shenanigans that happen in Portsmouth would never fly in Va Beach or Chesapeake. That’s where your tax base is moving. Chip Wright 907 Sacony St. 7) Voicemail "hello my name is Mrs Deborah Brown and actually I did not see an item number where I actually picked up your information from The Virginian pilot regarding and increase height on hill top and also residential fees I do understand that you lie that the National Emergency pandemic has actually called a risk within the budget overall but I do also believe that it would really be detrimental to put Meal tax on restaurant and done because what several individuals that I know if they my circle there just going to another local city to purchase it was cheaper and also to with the even with the property taxes and Some of the increases that has been put into place in the past. It's kind of like taking a covid my opinion on The Residency with mini trying to move out of Portsmouth. I would like to stay here at my family would but however, it appears as if we're just constantly being taxed and so I hope that the city council would surely take it into consideration regarding my comments, and we look forward to seeing what the results would be. Okay. Thank you and have a great day and stay safe." 3728 Burr Lane Portsmouth, VA 23703