While Aberdeen City Manager Doug Miller defended a proposal to raise city property taxes by more than 40 percent, some residents were outraged by that prospect.
“They?re just killing us,” said Michael Ritondo, who has lived on Westwood Road for 19 years.
He said he first heard about the proposed 24-cent increase (from 55 cents to 79 cents per every $100 of assessed value) from The Examiner. As he was talking to a reporter on the phone, his wife could be heard reacting in the background.
Ritondo said she had just finished reading the story.
“It?s going to price us right out of here,” he said. “We just purchased property in South Carolina, and this might speed up our move.”
“I think they should sell the acreage around the swimming pool for $4 million and then get the budget back in order instead of jacking up the price on us,” said Richard Collier, a resident of Windemere Road since 1957. “They are charging me rent to live on my own property.”
Miller said he was sensitive to the fact that the proposal represented a “giant increase.” But even with a 79-cent property tax rate, “we have a very lean budget,” he said.
He said the tax increase is necessary in light of a $2 million deficit in the city?s budget and the city giving pay increases to city employees.
“If it?s going to make me proud as a resident of Aberdeen, I?m in favor of it,” said Randall Giles, who has lived on Cronin Drive for 13 years.
Giles said if the increase is going to pay for more police officers or to improve the city?s sidewalks, he would pay willingly.
If not, “I don?t need this town, this town needs me,” he said.
How does Aberdeen compare?
» Bel Air property tax:
50 cents per $100 assessed value
Expected to generate $4,580,259 in revenue next year
Property taxes increased 6 cents in 2004
» Havre de Grace property tax:
68 cents per $100 assessed value
Expected to generate $4,636,000 in revenue next year
Property taxes were lowered 4 cents over the past two years
