OUR TURN: Burnet faces challenges with ambitious plan

Read his lips … Burnet Mayor Alan Smith doesn’t want any new taxes.

Smith couldn’t have spoken more truthfully when he told listeners Wednesday that embarking on a series of infrastructure projects without raising taxes will be a "balancing act" in the days ahead.

It definitely will not be easy finding ways to fund the wide array of improvements the mayor mentioned in his State of the City address without a hike in property taxes.

Smith wants to pay for road, water and parks projects through state and national grants, as well as use federal recovery funds — including $300,000 earmarked for a citywide sewer survey.

Good luck to him and the city of Burnet.

If the funding from alternative sources comes through, then it’s good news for Burnet. But given the current economic climate, Burnet for the time being may have to settle for a less ambitious agenda if leaders want to avoid using the T word.

On the other hand, Smith might be on to something, especially if he’s been paying attention to what’s happening in other Highland Lakes cities.

The current national economic crisis has put taxpayers in a foul mood, and probably with some justification.

With unemployment still high, the recession still a question mark and thousands in Burnet County unhappy with spending by elected leaders, now is the time for politicians to think twice before letting the word "taxes" passes their lips.

Perhaps Smith had it right when he promised his audience that municipal leaders would seek funding sources other than a tax increase.

He knows all too well the backlash that could take place.

Look at Marble Falls, for instance, where the council in 2008 enacted an unprecedented 28 percent tax hike. On May 8, voters may get their revenge when a $50,000 homestead tax exemption goes on the ballot.

In Horseshoe Bay, a debate that raged over whether to use property taxes or charge individual homeowners for road repairs led to a petition with 800 signatures and a decision by the council just to table the whole thing.

None of this has been lost on Smith or the Burnet council.

Smith said they are looking for ways to fund all of the city’s planned projects without resorting to a tax increase.

"For every $1 million we spent, that would result in an additional 3 cents on your property tax bill," he told the audience. "But we’re looking to find other means (to pay for the projects), and that is the challenge of this council. I think that we as a council and in previous councils have stretched dollars as far as they will go."

Burnet may not be able to see all of its wish list come true, but in the meantime the mayor and council are skirting controversy and keeping public sentiment on their side.

That’s good so long as they can find other sources of revenue to pay for these projects, but if that funding dries up or never materializes, it’s likely public opinion won’t be in their favor.

Smith is right to chart a careful course through these choppy waters.

The Daily Tribune editorial board includes Dan Alvey, Amber Alvey Weems, Thomas Edwards, Daniel Clifton and Chris Porter.