City of Marion should live within its means

Once again, the taxpayers/voters have spoken. Stop taxing/spending, elected officials. Yet, we have the mayor of Marion saying we are going to increase your property taxes since you didn't pass the option tax. Great, Marion homeowners already pay one of the highest rates, not only in Iowa, but in the country.

Yet, we get threatened by our mayor. How about learning how to cut payroll 10 percent to 20 percent and reroofing the police station to function as most Iowans have to - by living within their budget and not increasing spending when you don't have it? As one Marion council member bravely said, “Seventy percent of the Marion budget is payroll and we hire additional people this year - that is not what Marion taxpayers deserve.”

Perhaps it's time to get elected officials who respond to our wishes.

James Schmitz

Marion