Kentwood may go to voters for tax hike

KENTWOOD, Mich. (WOOD) - On any given day, seven or eight Kentwood firefighters are handling the work that used to be covered by as many as 12 or 13 workers.

A fire doubles in size and intensity every minute.

So, it's a simple equation. Fewer firefighters handling the initial call could mean more damage and more danger of you being trapped by the fire, or having to fight it.

It's the same story at the Kentwood Police Department. Fewer officers mean longer response times for citizens who need help.

The Kentwood mayor says the time has come to ask voters for a tax hike.

"Less revenue, less service," Mayor Richard Root told 24 Hour News 8. "That's the only thing left for us."

The city trimmed nearly $2 million from its budget in October.

The cumulative effect of jobs cuts, layoffs or otherwise means the city workforce has been downsized by about 20 percent. City leaders say they have cut as much as they can.

While city leaders haven't decided on an amount, Kentwood voters likely will be asked to decide on a millage in May.

Kentwood may not be the only West Michigan city seeking tax increases.

There has been talk at Grand Rapids City Hall about asking for a millage, most likely for public safety. Other communities may follow.

"The citizens need the right to decide what the value is going to be that they invest in the place they live in," Root said. "That's the reason for the question."

But have communities truly cut all they can? It's a question on Tina Dupont's mind.

"It seems like (cities) always go to the thing that's going to hurt the people when they talk about raising taxes or cutting jobs," she said.

Dupont is a member of Tea Party of West Michigan.

While admitting she didn't know much about Kentwood's budget, Dupont and her group, in general, don't believe they are getting the full story when it comes to local budgets.

"So many of us for so long have just voted for these things without really knowing what it is all about," Dupont said. "People can't really see what's going on. They don't know why. They just know they're always coming back for more."

And that perception could be a major hurdle for communities that want to save services through tax hikes.

Along with a jobless rate of more than 11 percent for the metro Grand Rapids area, the anti-tax sentiment could hurt efforts to raise taxes.

Root said Kentwood has been transparent when it comes to the budget.

"If you've allowed your perceptions to become ideologies, and you've locked yourself into a particular position, they're probably not going to be influenced," he said. "The only proof I can offer is after they see the train wreck. I'm trying to avoid one."

To that end, the city will hold a public forum on the budget from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Kentwood Justice Complex, 4742 Walma Ave. SE.

Root said department heads and the city commissioner will answer any questions about the city's budget.